CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Dan Morgan had executed a pair of trades — one involving four pick swaps — and hadn’t slept much.
So forgive the Carolina Panthers’ general manager if he couldn’t recall his team’s first pick in Saturday’s fourth round (No. 114) after finishing up with reporters late Friday.
“I have to check the board,” Morgan joked.
All five of the Panthers’ remaining picks once belonged to others teams: a Cowboys’ fourth (114), a Broncos’ fourth (122), a Giants’ fifth (140), a Ravens’ fifth (163) and a Broncos’ sixth (208). And given his track record, expect Morgan to move around again Saturday.
Wherever the Panthers end up picking, here’s a look at some players they could be targeting.
(All player rankings based on Dane Brugler’s top 300 prospects list)
Day 3 targets
Safeties
85. Billy Bowman Jr., Oklahoma
Bowman led the Big 12 with six interceptions in 2023, including three he returned for touchdowns. The Athletic’s draft expert Dane Brugler called Bowman “among the best safeties in this class in terms of football IQ, movement skills and competitive urgency.”
113. Lathan Ransom, Ohio State
Ransom was a three-year starter for the Buckeyes, working mostly as a free safety. He had two seasons with at least 74 tackles at Ohio State and is a strong defender in the run game. Brugler believes that Ransom has “matchup potential against tight ends to become an NFL starter.”
130. Malachi Moore, Alabama
Moore was a four-year starter for the Crimson Tide and recorded seven interceptions over five college seasons. Brugler called him “a tough, instinctive player who can defend the run and play with just enough range in coverage. He projects best as a post or half-field safety in zone.”
133. Jaylen Reed, Penn State
Reed was the leading tackler for the Nittany Lions in 2024 and tallied five interceptions over the past two seasons. While known as an enforcer on the backend, his inconsistent in tackling could hold him back.
167. Maxen Hook, Toledo
172. Dante Trader Jr., Maryland
Cornerbacks
94. Quincy Riley, Louisville
Riley had eight interceptions in three years at Louisville and led the ACC with 13 pass breakups in 2024. Brugler notes that Riley’s nose for the football should make him an immediate contributor with starter upside.
125. Dorian Strong, Virginia Tech
149. Bilhal Kone, Western Michigan
189. Korie Black, Oklahoma State
193. Zy Alexander, LSU
Defensive tackles
76. Joshua Farmer, Florida State
91. Ty Hamilton, Ohio State
118. Cam Jackson, Florida
At 6-foot-6, 328 pounds, Jackson is tough in the run game and can eat up blockers as a potential nose tackle.
127. Deone Walker, Kentucky
One of the biggest players in the draft, it’s easy to imagine the 6-7, 331-pound Walker clogging running lanes in Ejiro Evero’s 3-4 defense.
161. JJ Pegues, Ole Miss
227. Warren Brinson, Georgia
274. Tonka Hemingway, South Carolina
Linebackers
87. Danny Stutsman, Oklahoma
Stutsman was a tackling machine for the Sooners with three consecutive seasons of over 100 tackles, while racking up 35 tackles for loss in that span.
98. Jeffrey Bassa, Oregon
Bassa was the defensive leader for the Ducks and had a strong Senior Bowl, where he was in charge of the huddles for the National Team. A former safety, he offers upside as he continues to grow in the position.
156. Cody Simon, LB, Ohio State
194. Shemar James, LB, Florida
James, a team captain his final season in Gainesville, won’t turn 21 until late June.
222. Eugene Asante, LB, Auburn
Morgan’s seventh-round LB pick last year didn’t last long, although Michael Barrett netted them CB Mike Jackson in a trade with Seattle. Asante tallied 133 tackles and 7 1/2 sacks over his final two seasons.
Tight ends
95. Gunnar Helm, Texas
131. Oronde Gadsden II, Syracuse
First-team, All-ACC pick last year after hauling in 73 passes for 934 yards and seven TDs.
134. Mitchell Evans, Notre Dame
187. Jake Briningstool, Clemson
Annual reminder that the Panthers have never drafted a Clemson player. So Briningstool could make history.
192. Moliki Matavao, UCLA
Running backs
96. Trevor Etienne, Georgia
111. Jarquez Hunter, Auburn
The compactly built Hunter (5-9, 204 pounds) was a state-champion power lifter in high school who rushed for a combined 2,000 yards over his final two seasons at Auburn.
136. Ollie Gordon II, Oklahoma State
Gordon was one of three Day-3 running backs who reportedly had pre-draft visits with the Panthers. It makes sense, given Jonathon Brooks’ uncertain future and Rico Dowdle’s one-year contract.
138. Devin Neal, Kansas
Offensive line
110. Seth McLaughlin, C, Ohio State
McLaughlin won the Remington Trophy, awarded to the nation’s top center, despite suffering a ruptured Achilles in November. The 2025 season maybe a redshirt season in the pros for him, but there is intriguing upside as a long-term option at center.
141. Drew Kendall, C, Boston College
168. Logan Brown, OT, Kansas
177. Joshua Gray, G/C, Oregon State
184. Carson Vinson, OT, Alabama A&M
Vinson has a huge frame (6-7, 314) and will need some fine-tuning at the next level. The Morrisville, N.C., native is hoping to become Alabama A&M’s first drafted player since 2011.
200. Hollin Pierce, OT, Rutgers
Specialists
NR Andres Borregales, K, Miami
NR Ryan Fitzgerald, K, Florida State
(Photo of Bowman: Sarah Phipps / The Oklahoman-USA Today Network via Imagn Images)
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