Round 1 - Panthers Select Tetairoa McMillan at Pick 8

[MHS831]

https://www.espn.com/video/clip/_/id/44842085

[Shocker]

Already practicing with Bryce and he doesn't care about football

[Bear Hands]

Just now, mrcompletely11 said:

sure, point taken

I’m just reading the first three words and trusting you’ll keep it chill.

@ForJimmy agree to disagree on this one, moving on…

[PNW_PantherMan]

7 minutes ago, Jon Snow said:

It's just a bad draft for real top end talent. I think I'm more upset over that fact than anyone the Panthers could take.

Yea I think I feel the same way.

It’s probably the safest pick they could have made.  TMac projects as at least a decent NFL WR.  His total bust factor is lower than Walker.

[Jon Snow]

I don't think any fanbase is completely happy with their teams draft picks this morning. It's just that kind of draft.

[mrcompletely11]

Just now, Jon Snow said:

I don't think any fanbase is completely happy with their teams draft picks this morning. It's just that kind of draft.

ATL seems to be happy

[MHS831]

Just now, PNW_PantherMan said:

Yea I think I feel the same way.

It’s probably the safest pick they could have made.  TMac projects as at least a decent NFL WR.  His total bust factor is lower than Walker.

Good point.  Walker, Williams--too risky--not great fits.  We needed a top WR--a #1, and the draft had 1 who fits that description.  I disregarded him early, but at the end of the day, he was the safest pick at a need position.

[Jon Snow]

Just now, mrcompletely11 said:

ATL seems to be happy

Not really. A lot of them think they overdrafted and paid too much for Pearce Jr. I can agree with most of that.

[FuFuLamePoo]

1 minute ago, mrcompletely11 said:

ATL seems to be happy

They had the worst night of anyone. Giving up a 26 first reeks of desperation. They basically have no picks on the first two days until 2027. Horrific night 

[ForJimmy]

Just now, FuFuLamePoo said:

They had the worst night of anyone. Giving up a 26 first reeks of desperation. They basically have no picks on the first two days until 2027. Horrific night 

JPJ and Walker could be a nice combo, but I feel like you can just run on them?  They both are weak against the run IMO.

[Bear Hands]

1 minute ago, PNW_PantherMan said:

Yea I think I feel the same way.

It’s probably the safest pick they could have made.  TMac projects as at least a decent NFL WR.  His total bust factor is lower than Walker.

Yeah Walker is the type that could just not make an impact. Chaissson esque. 

Mykel didn’t have the burst

Pearce has a screw loose.

Green may have a dick loose.

Graham may have edged out Tmac if there but it seemed our board was 1-Carter 2-Graham 3-Tmac (over the other front-7 guys)

Ezeiruaku or Swinson would be excellent value that are at a similar level to these 1st rounders, with honestly less limitations and similar upside. The other offensive skill guys don’t really touch Hunter or Tmac.

[mrcompletely11]

1 minute ago, Jon Snow said:

Not really. A lot of them think they overdrafted and paid too much for Pearce Jr. I can agree with most of that.

If they make the playoffs this year its not going to matter.  They added 2 potentially high end pass rushers.  Hats off to them for being aggressive on defense when their offense is seemingly set

[ForJimmy]

10 minutes ago, MHS831 said:

good point.   I just learned this:  

Carolina Panthers wide receiver Tetairoa McMillan is already quite familiar with his new quarterback.

On Thursday night, McMillan was selected by the Panthers with the eighth overall pick of the 2025 NFL draft. That means he'll officially be joining fellow first-round choice and fellow California native Bryce Young over in Carolina.

But this won't be the first time the two will be linking up.

As first reported by NFL Network insider Ian Rapoport following the selection, McMillan and Young had been "quietly" throwing together in Los Angeles in the lead-up to the draft.

McMillan, during his chat with reporters, talked about that relationship—one he's now repeatedly dubbed the "Cali-to-Cali" connection.

"We played against each other in high school, so we just kinda knew of each other," he stated. "I was fortunate enough to recently meet him, probably about a month ago for the first time at 3DQB in Cali. And I was fortunate enough, it was my first time ever, catching the ball from him and running routes for him. So I guess you could say we got a head-start on our chemistry."

Hopefully for the Panthers, that chemistry between their 5-foot-10 passer and their 6-foot-4 pass catcher continues to grow.

I can't believe none of this got leaked.  Looks like we have learned how to keep our draft preferences under wraps better than previous years.  We had everyone thinking it was Walker.  

[Jon Snow]

Just now, mrcompletely11 said:

If they make the playoffs this year its not going to matter.  They added 2 potentially high end pass rushers.  Hats off to them for being aggressive on defense when their offense is seemingly set

It's definitely a huge gamble with Pearce Jr. But Walker is a good pick that will haunt the team for a long time. If Pearce pans out then we are in trouble.