Panthers' Surprise Pick: McMillan's Rookie Year

0:00It's April 8th. Welcome in. This is NFL News Today, where the league meets AI, I'm Cory with the story. Everybody thought the Carolina Panthers had their heart set on Georgia Linebacker Jalen Walker with the 8th overall pick in the 2025. NFL Draft. The buzz was unanimous, no doubt about it. But the Panthers front office flipped the script and grabbed wide receiver Tedaroa McMillan instead. Turns out, General Manager Dan Morgan zeroed in on McMillan way back. Months before Draft Night even hit. Executive Vice President Brent Tyle is spilled the details, saying the team locked him in early as their guy. Fans were stunned at first, but McMillan's rookie year shut down all the doubters. He exploded for 100 receiving yards in just his second game against the Arizona Cardinals, then wrapped up the season with 70 catches. 2014 yards, that's a franchise rookie record, and seven touchdowns. He even snagged the AP Offensive Rookie of the Year award, the Panthers first since 2011.

1:02Now digging deeper, reports show the Panthers saw his upside from the jump, building their offense around this playmaker despite the pre-draft hype. Elsewhere, McMillan's got some drops to clean up. He had eight last season, but with his skills, he's primed to be a pro bowl staple and the go-to target in. Carolina for years ahead.