With the 2025 NFL Draft approaching, buzz is building that the Panthers are looking to trade for extra second-round picks to strengthen the roster around Young after his encouraging late-season turnaround.
Panthers Draft Rumors
Bryce Young’s NFL journey began with a rocky rookie season in 2023, as the Carolina Panthers’ No. 1 overall pick struggled, throwing for 2,877 yards, 11 touchdowns, and 10 interceptions while completing just 59.8% of his passes. He was sacked 62 times as the Panthers limped to a brutal 2-15 record.
His struggles carried into 2024, with a rough start—245 yards, no touchdowns, and three interceptions in two games, along with a 55.4% completion rate—leading to his benching after Week 2 for veteran Andy Dalton.
Fans and analysts questioned if the former Heisman winner could bounce back, especially after Carolina was outscored 73-13 in those losses.
But when Dalton’s thumb injury put Young back under center in Week 8, he flipped the script, throwing for 2,104 yards, 15 touchdowns, and six interceptions over his final 10 games, including a career-best five-touchdown performance in a thrilling 44-38 overtime win against Atlanta.
Finishing strong with a 61.8% completion rate and four wins, Young reignited belief in Carolina that he could be their franchise quarterback. With the Panthers looking to add talent through the 2025 draft, Young could be set for a breakout season.
ESPN’s mock draft suggests one possibility where Carolina trades the No. 8 overall pick to Seattle in exchange for picks 1-18, 2-50, and 5-172, adding another second-rounder alongside the one they’re already getting back from the Rams in the Braden Fiske deal.
The move adds up, considering the Panthers’ past mistakes in trading away valuable picks—giving up a 2022 second-rounder for Sam Darnold and another in 2023 for Young, leaving them short on talent while injuries like Jonathon Brooks’ ACL tear highlight their depth concerns.
Fans and insiders believe GM Dan Morgan could use this draft ammo to grab offensive linemen or playmakers, key pieces needed to support Young’s growth.
With their own second-rounder still owed to the Bears from the Young trade, landing a pick like 2-50 could give the Panthers a much-needed shot at a blocker or weapon to help their young quarterback prove the doubters wrong in 2025.
If Young’s late-season surge was any indication, he’s poised to take a massive leap forward in 2025. With a full offseason to build on his momentum, an improved supporting cast through smart draft moves, and a coaching staff committed to his development, all signs point to this being his best season yet.
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If the Panthers secure key pieces—whether a rock-solid lineman to protect him or a dynamic playmaker to elevate the offense—Young could finally cement himself as the franchise quarterback Carolina envisioned when they took him No. 1 overall.
The pressure is on, but after weathering the toughest stretches of his young career, Young looks ready to thrive.
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