Christmas came early. The Carolina Panthers have just given quarterback Bryce Young a huge gift in the form of a big-play wide receiver.
The 2025 NFL draft (ESPN, ABC, ESPN App) is underway outside the frozen tundra in Green Bay, Wisconsin., and the Carolina Panthers selected WR Tetairoa McMillan with the No. 8 pick of Round 1 on Thursday night.
The Panthers are not only looking to bolster their defense in the 2025 NFL draft. They are also looking for touchdowns.
And, to the surprise of many experts around the league, they could have found them on Thursday.
Carolina nabbed University of Arizona wide receiver McMillan. The choice came as a stunner, with many believing that the Panthers were zeroed in on the defensive side of the ball.
President of football operations and general manager Dan Morgan, alongside second-year coach Dave Canales, discussed the selection shortly after it became official.
“We’re super excited about our eighth pick,” Morgan told reporters. “Getting Tet—he’s somebody that we obviously really liked. Thought he could add a different dimension to our offense and just add another playmaker to the offensive side of the ball.
“Not only a great player, but he’s a great kid and somebody that Dave and I really value. So, we’re excited to have him in the building and excited to get going with him.”
Embed from Getty ImagesMcMillan is now the second wide receiver taken off the board by the Panthers in the first round in as many years. He follows Xavier Legette, the 32nd pick of the 2024 draft.
Morgan was then asked about what McMillan brings to the facility.
“I think he has really good play speed,” he replied. “I think the thing that pops off the tape about Tet is how smooth he is, his body control, his ability to adjust to all types of throws, his catch radius and his hands are elite. He catches everything outside his frame, and he can win the jump ball down the field and in the end zone.”
The 6-foot-4, 219-pounder caught 26 touchdowns over his three seasons for the Wildcats. He also accumulated a total of 3,423 receiving yards, with a 1,402-yard campaign in 2023 and a 1,319-yard
campaign in 2024.
