North Charlotte Today

The NFL draft for 2025 is fast approaching. With the draft set to begin on April 24 in Green Bay, teams, including the Carolina Panthers, are busy finalizing their strategies. The Panthers have a total of nine picks in the draft, ranging from the 8th overall pick in the first round to the 230th overall pick in the seventh round.

A critical area the Panthers are focusing on this year is special teams. This segment experienced significant changes in the offseason. Notably, punter Johnny Hekker departed for the Tennessee Titans, and the Panthers signed veteran punter Sam Martin on a one-year deal. Eddy Piñeiro is still an unrestricted free agent, while long snapper JJ Jansen remains with the team.

Several prospects are generating interest for special teams positions. Jeremy Crawshaw, a proficient punter from Florida, boasts an average of 46.4 yards per punt and led nation averages in 2023. Alabama's James Burnip, another Australian punter, achieved 45.37 yards per punt in 2024, contributing significantly to Alabama's defensive strength.

Luke Elzinga of Oklahoma is recognized for his versatility and ability to manage various game situations. Kai Kroeger from South Carolina has shown potential not only as a punter but also in executing fake punts due to his quarterback experience. Alex Mastromanno of FSU led FBS punters with impressive stats including few touchbacks and many punts inside the 20-yard line.

In the kicking domain, Andres Borregales, a Venezuelan from Miami, became the Hurricanes' all-time leading scorer. Ben Sauls from Pittsburgh demonstrated clutch performance with consistent accuracy, particularly in longer field goals. Ryan Fitzgerald from FSU achieved a perfect record in 2024, displaying consistency that may reassure potential teams.

The Panthers hope to address gaps in their special teams through these potential additions in the NFL draft.