06-02-2025, 08:19 AM -
https://pantherswire.usatoday.com/story/...960579007/
The Carolina Panthers really did get their guy out of the 2025 NFL draft.
On Friday, the team published an inside look into the war room of last month's selection process. Reporter Darin Gantt, who authored the deep dive, provided an abundance of details on Carolina's three-day journey—including their path to landing wide receiver Tetairoa McMillan.
According to Gantt, the Panthers were eager to stick and pick McMillan with the eighth overall selection. But they did entertain the possibility of moving out with the Los Angeles Rams, who also had eyes for the 6-foot-4 All-American pass catcher.
To do so, they sought a "load of picks," and pitched the Rams on handing over a haul. Los Angeles, however, declined—which was just fine with general manager Dan Morgan.
"It's like if they want this, they're going to have to go above and beyond, kind of like what they did to us last year when they gave us the two," Morgan said, via Gantt. "That's because I was convicted on our guy. I really don't want to lose this player. But if we are going to lose the player, and it's something that could potentially set us up for the future, if we get a load of picks out of them, then let's explore it.
"But I didn't really want to. I was kind of hoping that they would say no. So when they said no at the end, I was fine with it. I was actually like, 'Sweet.'"
The Panthers did a bit of good business with the Rams in the 2024 draft, where they gave up the 39th overall pick for the 52nd, 155th and a 2025 second-rounder. Carolina recouped some high-end capital while Los Angeles wound up with Florida State standout Braden Fiske—so both sides were probably quite pleased.
A second deal, however, obviously wasn't in the works.
The Carolina Panthers really did get their guy out of the 2025 NFL draft.
On Friday, the team published an inside look into the war room of last month's selection process. Reporter Darin Gantt, who authored the deep dive, provided an abundance of details on Carolina's three-day journey—including their path to landing wide receiver Tetairoa McMillan.
According to Gantt, the Panthers were eager to stick and pick McMillan with the eighth overall selection. But they did entertain the possibility of moving out with the Los Angeles Rams, who also had eyes for the 6-foot-4 All-American pass catcher.
To do so, they sought a "load of picks," and pitched the Rams on handing over a haul. Los Angeles, however, declined—which was just fine with general manager Dan Morgan.
"It's like if they want this, they're going to have to go above and beyond, kind of like what they did to us last year when they gave us the two," Morgan said, via Gantt. "That's because I was convicted on our guy. I really don't want to lose this player. But if we are going to lose the player, and it's something that could potentially set us up for the future, if we get a load of picks out of them, then let's explore it.
"But I didn't really want to. I was kind of hoping that they would say no. So when they said no at the end, I was fine with it. I was actually like, 'Sweet.'"
The Panthers did a bit of good business with the Rams in the 2024 draft, where they gave up the 39th overall pick for the 52nd, 155th and a 2025 second-rounder. Carolina recouped some high-end capital while Los Angeles wound up with Florida State standout Braden Fiske—so both sides were probably quite pleased.
A second deal, however, obviously wasn't in the works.
