Carolina Panthers 2025 NFL Draft Analysis: What Went Right, What Went Wrong, Best and Worst Picks

Originally posted on College Football News
By Pete Fiutak | Last updated Apr 28, 2025 2:32 PM ET

This was a good draft overall value-wise, and the Panthers did a great job of addressing their needs and getting more flash and weapons for Bryce Young and the attack, but ...

Tetairoa McMillan had better be amazing.

This was a mediocre class of wide receivers. McMillan is a fine prospect out of Arizona, but as an alpha dog No. 1 killer? He had better turn into that fast as the No. 8 overall pick.

The Panthers needed edge rushers, and they got a good one in Texas A&M's Nic Scourton and a decent chance pick in Princely Umanmeilen out of Ole Miss.

And then they caught fire.

Georgia running back Trevor Etienne has first round talent and fourth round concerns - he was a fantastic flier when they got him. Ohio State safety Lathan Ransom is a good option, and value-wise, they hit a three-run home run in Notre Dame tight end prospect Mitchell Evans in the fifth.

Carolina Panthers 2025 NFL Draft

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Carolina Panthers 2025 Draft Class

1 (8) Tetairoa McMillan, WR Arizona
2 (51) Nic Scourton, EDGE Texas A&M
3 (77) Princely Umanmielen, EDGE Ole Miss
4 (114) Trevor Etienne, RB Georgia
4 (122) Lathan Ransom, S Ohio State
5 (140) Cam Jackson, DT Florida
5 (163) Mitchell Evans, TE Notre Dame
6 (208) Jimmy Horn Jr., WR Colorado

What Went Right?
They did what they needed to do. They needed a wide receiver, and no matter what you think of Tetairoa McMillan, they went for it. They needed edge rushers and got those, and overall you could see the thinking with just about every pick.

What Went Wrong?
Not a lot. It would've been nice to do more for the secondary - they didn't draft a corner - and there were a few value overreaches, but nothing to get into a twist over.

Best Value Pick: Mitchell Evans, TE Notre Dame
Biggest Reach: Cam. Jackson, DT Florida
Draft Grade: A-
2023 Ranking: 19 | 2024 Ranking: 14

This article first appeared on College Football News and was syndicated with permission.

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