Everything to Know Inside the Panthers’ NFL Draft Dilemma

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Steven Corder | Last updated Jun 6, 2025 1:57 PM ET

The clock was ticking. Phones were buzzing. And in a quiet room inside Bank of America Stadium, Carolina Panthers GM Dan Morgan had a choice that could reshape the franchise.

The latest episode of the Panthers’ Blueprint series offered fans a rare glimpse behind the curtain and revealed a near blockbuster draft-day trade that didn’t quite happen. As the Panthers sat at No. 8 overall in the 2025 NFL Draft, the Los Angeles Rams were working the phones, pushing hard for a deal to move up and grab wide receiver Tetairoa McMillan.

Morgan and VP of Football Operations Brandt Tilis knew LA wanted “their guy.” And Carolina wanted him too.

The Rams’ final offer? A haul that included the No. 26 overall pick, a 2026 second-rounder, and two mid-round picks, totaling 414 points on the NFL’s trade value chart. That’s just two points shy of the 416-point value of Carolina’s No. 8 and No. 163 picks combined. Close, but not enough.

“They needed to blow us away,” Morgan said during the episode, as he calmly submitted a counter offer that reportedly included a future first-round pick. The Rams declined. With less than two minutes left on the clock, Carolina locked in McMillan.

The decision wasn’t just about talent, it was about timing and vision. The Panthers had already committed to going wide receiver early, confident they could find defensive help later in the draft. Passing on McMillan, even for solid value, would have risked losing their top offensive target in a make-or-break season for head coach Dave Canales.

And here’s the kicker: Los Angeles pivoted and traded their pick to Atlanta for a 2026 first-rounder, proving there’s more than one way to win on draft night.

Still, Blueprint peeled back the layers of what fans rarely see: how razor-thin the margin is between sticking to your board and reshaping your future.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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