The first day of the field training sessions at 2025 NFL Scouting Combine may have been the most important for the Carolina Panthers.
The events of Thursday of Lucas Oil Stadium saw the best line players and defensive seconds of the upcoming project. These positions are among the list of stain tasks for the Panthers, who actively seek to reshape their defensive front.
Caroline Historically badged defense Not only has allowed the most points of all time in one season, but the unit also abandoned (by far) the most rushed yards per game in 2024 while accumulating the lowest pressure rate. So, yes, you bet that general manager Dan Morgan and head coach Dave Canales were careful this afternoon.
In this spirit, let’s take a look at the best performers of the first day of the combine harvester. . .
CJ West, DL, Indiana
An underestimated defensive Tackle, West needed an appropriate performance in Indianapolis to help stimulate his stock as a potential selection of the environment. He did this precisely.
The former HOOSIERS Out of competition was 6 feet 1 inch and 316 pounds with 31.5 inch arms. He ran a 4.95 -second dashboard of 40 yards and a 10 -second split higher than the average of 1.73 seconds.
West is a powerful inner player who can throw a line player in the trenches while flashing an upward pass. His engine and efforts will allow him to be an effective rotation at the start of his career.
Darius Alexander, DL, Toledo
Alexander, one of the best school prospects in the classroom, has become a favorite of fans. His athletics on the film All-22 resulted in tests and exercises with the combine harvester.
The 6 inches and 305 pounds measured with 34 inch arms. He recorded a 4.95 -second dashboard of 40 yards with a split of 10 seconds of 10 seconds – the fourth best Thursday among all the defensive plasters.
He may have consolidated himself as a selection of the second day.
Shemar Stewart, Edge, Texas A&M
Many knew that Stewart would test the charts, and he did it. But its combined performance was, in a way, much better than expected.
Stewart, 6 feet 5 inches, 267 pounds, struck a 40 -inch jump vertically and a jump of 10 feet and 11 inches in the open sea. Those classified, respectively, as the second and best brands of the Edge group.
He then illuminated chronometers with a 4.59 -second dashboard of 40 yards and a 10 -second division of 10 seconds.
These are absurd numbers that may have locked Stewart as a selection of the first 15. So, despite their lack of production at university, someone will try a great chance on their very special athletics.
James Pearce Jr., Edge, Tennessee
Although his 31 -inch vertical jump may not seem impressive, it is the explosiveness that counts with Pearce – and he put it entirely with his races.
At, 6 feet 5 inches and 245 pounds, the selection of the first All-Sec team twice made high defensive lines with a dash of 40 seconds of 40 seconds and a division of 1.56 seconds of 10 seconds. These times presented the acceleration, fluidity and sweetness that we have seen in Tennessee.
Pearce has a case to be a top 20, and perhaps a choice of horses n ° 8 in total for the panthers.
Jihaad Campbell, LB, Alabama
If there is a pure secondary with a chance to jump in the first round, it’s Campbell. The former secondary of Bay Rusher became of Edge was great Thursday, organizing a 4.52 -second dashboard of 40 yards and a split 10 seconds of 10 seconds.
The 6 inches and 235 pounds showed its hip fluidity, its scope, its speed and reactionary skills in the exercises.
Carolina needs various, explosive and physical players in the first seven – and if they choose to exchange in the second round, Campbell could wait for them.
This article originally appeared on Panthers Wire: 2025 NFL Scouting Combine: 5 Grand Gets of Day 1