NFL Draft Notebook: How Carolina Panthers' first win could build momentum into the future

This week in the NFL Draft Notebook, we explore how the Carolina Panthers can build on their recent momentum following their first victory of the season. We also name the Rookie of the Week, who is emerging as a leading candidate for Rookie of the Year. Finally, we highlight several areas of concern for teams that should be addressed in the 2025 NFL Draft.

How the Carolina Panthers can become a contender

Despite the Carolina Panthers securing their first win of the season, they have a long road ahead to become playoff contenders. Since 2018, no team has lost more games, and while Sunday’s victory over the Raiders showed some positive signs—particularly with Andy Dalton stepping in as the starter—there are still numerous areas that need improvement for the Panthers to be playoff contenders in the next two to three years.

One of the Panthers' biggest concerns is identifying their quarterback of the future. At 36 years old, Andy Dalton isn't a long-term solution, and although Bryce Young was the top pick in the 2023 NFL Draft, he hasn’t met expectations. Young was benched after just two games this season as he struggled to adapt to a new offensive system. Now, the team must look toward the future and decide who will lead the offense in 2025.

One possible option is Miami’s Cam Ward, who is considered one of the most promising quarterbacks in the upcoming draft. Ward has a strong arm and impressive athleticism, but his tendency to play out of structure could make Carolina hesitant. Another option is Colorado’s Shedeur Sanders, though the Panthers would need to be convinced of his leadership qualities. If the team doesn’t see a clear fit in the draft, they could trade down and count on Dalton for one more year while eyeing Arch Manning as a potential franchise quarterback in 2026.

Beyond the quarterback position, the Panthers need to overhaul their offense, starting with wide receiver. Adam Thielen, who turns 35 next season, is nearing the end of his career, and Diontae Johnson’s contract is expiring. Meanwhile, 2024 first-round pick Xavier Legette has struggled to make an impact. With over $42 million in projected cap space, according to Over the Cap, the Panthers could target a top free agent like Cincinnati’s Tee Higgins or Houston’s Stefon Diggs. Adding an elite receiver would provide their new quarterback with a dependable target and give Legette more time to develop.

The tight end position also needs a significant upgrade. ESPN ranked Carolina’s tight end group as the worst in the league, and their lackluster performance this season has reinforced that assessment. Penn State’s Tyler Warren, a standout tight end prospect in the 2025 draft, could be an ideal solution. He led all Big Ten tight ends with seven touchdowns last season and currently leads the Nittany Lions in receptions. Warren’s athleticism and playmaking ability could inject much-needed life into the Panthers’ offense.

While the offense is a major focus, the defense also needs attention, particularly at cornerback. Jaycee Horn has struggled with injuries throughout his first three seasons and is set to become a free agent, along with both Mike Jackson and Tory Hill. Carolina may need to look to the draft for help, with a prospect like Kentucky’s Maxwell Hairston offering a promising solution to strengthen the secondary.

However, the most critical change for the Panthers may not come on the field. Owner David Tepper has gained a reputation for meddling in football decisions, and his impatience has created instability in the coaching ranks, with seven head coaches hired since he took over. For the team to succeed, Tepper must allow football experts to make decisions and give the coaching staff the time and support needed to build a cohesive plan. Stability is key to long-term success, and Tepper’s involvement has often hindered progress.

Rebuilding the Panthers will require patience and strategic decision-making. By securing a young quarterback, upgrading key positions on offense, and stabilizing the coaching situation, Carolina can finally start turning the corner. If they approach the upcoming offseason with a clear vision, the Panthers could begin to climb out of their current struggles and work their way toward becoming playoff contenders again.

NFL Draft Notebook Rookie of the Week

Though we're only three weeks into the 2024 NFL season, New York Giants wide receiver Malike Nabers has already established himself as the frontrunner for Rookie of the Year. His historic start is turning heads, as he’s the first player in NFL history to record 20 receptions and three receiving touchdowns in his first three games. Nabers also leads all rookies in catches, receiving yards, and is tied with Marvin Harrison Jr. for the most touchdown receptions.

Nabers' impact has been undeniable in every game the Giants have played this season. In Week 2, he put up a stellar performance, catching 10 passes for 127 yards and a touchdown against the Washington Commanders, earning recognition as the second-highest-performing rookie by NFL Mocks.

This past week, Nabers continued his hot streak against the Cleveland Browns, hauling in eight receptions for 78 yards and two touchdowns. Two of those catches were truly spectacular. His first highlight came in the second quarter when he out-jumped a Browns defender on a fade route for a contested catch. His second was even more jaw-dropping: a spinning touchdown grab that gave the Giants a 14-7 lead.

Looking ahead, Nabers is poised to remain the focal point of the Giants' passing attack, and his weekly numbers should reflect that. However, despite his standout performances, the Giants are struggling as a team and are currently projected to finish with the worst record in the NFL, according to The Athletic. If they do end up with the number one pick in the 2025 NFL Draft, it will be intriguing to see whether they choose to move on from Daniel Jones and draft a top-tier quarterback prospect or bring in a proven veteran who can fully capitalize on Nabers' immense talent.

Either way, Malike Nabers is proving to be a star in the making, and his future in the NFL looks bright.

NFL Draft news and notes

Best game of his career: Another rookie who had a standout performance was Denver Broncos quarterback Bo Nix, leading the team to their first victory of the season against the previously undefeated Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Nix showcased accuracy by completing 69% of his passes, including a perfectly placed throw on a nine-route to Josh Reynolds. He also demonstrated good mobility, rushing for one touchdown and making an impressive 22-yard run while evading pressure in the pocket.

Trouble in big D: The Cowboys are off to a rough start this season, and a big part of their struggles stems from their inability to both run the ball and stop the run. In yesterday’s Week 4 takeaways article, we highlighted Iowa running back Kaleb Johnson as a potential solution to their running game woes. However, their run defense has also been a major issue, giving up 190 and 274 rushing yards in the past two games. One draft prospect who could help plug this gap is Kentucky’s towering 6'6", 345-pound defensive tackle, Deone Walker, who earned an impressive 81.7 run defense grade last season, according to Pro Football Focus.

Welcome to Miami: While the Carolina Panthers may move on from Bryce Young, the Miami Dolphins could be a good fit for him, especially if they can acquire him with a day-three draft pick in the next few weeks. Young would offer the Dolphins a promising backup to develop behind the often-injured Tua Tagovailoa. He would also be a strong fit in Miami’s offense, which emphasizes quick decision-making—something Young excelled at during his college career at Alabama. Additionally, Dolphins head coach Mike McDaniel has a knack for building players' confidence, as seen with Tagovailoa, which is an area where Young could use some support.

A prospect fit for Arizona: According to Bleacher Report, the Arizona Cardinals’ biggest area of need is at edge rusher, a position they are unlikely to address before next offseason. One player who could fill this gap in the 2025 NFL Draft is North Carolina's Kaimon Rucker, who could be a great pick on day three. Rucker, a 6-foot-2 linebacker, would fit perfectly in Arizona’s 3-4 defensive scheme. Last season, he recorded 8.5 sacks and earned an impressive 89 pass-rushing grade from Pro Football Focus, making him a proven pass-rusher.

Steelers draft need: While Pittsburgh has had a strong start to the season, one position stands out as a clear area of need for the 2025 NFL Draft—wide receiver. Beyond George Pickens, the team lacks depth, especially with third-round pick Roman Wilson dealing with an ankle injury. A potential target for the Steelers in the late first or early second round is Ohio State’s Emeka Egbuka. His explosive speed and knack for gaining yards after the catch would provide an ideal complement to Pickens.