Apr 24, 2025; Green Bay, WI, USA; Arizona Wildcats wide receiver Tetairoa McMillan is selected by the Carolina Panthers as the number eight pick in the first round of the 2025 NFL Draft at Lambeau Field. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images Kirby Lee-Imagn Images

Dave Canales & Dan Morgan: Panthers were determined to take their 'guy' Tetairoa McMillan

Originally posted on Carolina Panthers on SI
By Zach Roberts | Last updated Apr 24, 2025 9:29 PM ET

If mock drafts were to be believed, Jalon Walker was the guy for the Carolina Panthers. Analysts believed that to be the case, too. The fit was too obvious, the talent was too undeniable, and the need on defense was too great. It worked out perfectly that way, as Walker was on the board at eight, but so was Tetairoa McMillan. The Panthers took the latter, and then they revealed that the mock drafts were never on the right track.

Panthers GM Dan Morgan said defense remains a big need but in the end McMillan was ‘’our guy’’ and Carolina went with its draft board . pic.twitter.com/QElYBXFDaI
— David Newton (@DNewtonespn) April 25, 2025

GM Dan Morgan, who seemed totally enamored with Walker, said after, "Defense is still a need, and we have eight more picks. We wanted to add the best player. We wanted to follow our board, who we thought was going to help us the most. Again, we got our guy, and we're excited about it."

Canales: "Unless somebody blew us out of the water, we were going to take our guy."
— Darin Gantt (@daringantt) April 25, 2025

Dave Canales echoed this sentiment. The Panthers reportedly tried to trade down or were at least taking calls, but they wanted their guy. "Unless somebody blew us out of the water, we were going to take our guy," the coach said.

All offseason long, he and Morgan fielded questions about if they'd take a pass-catcher over a defender. They remained coy, and at times even seemed all-in on the defense. Instead, McMillan was their top prospect even over Walker, and they made him their selection.

This article first appeared on Carolina Panthers on SI and was syndicated with permission.

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