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Panthers GM Dan Morgan tells Thomas Davis why he picked Tetairoa McMillan over Jalon Walker, other edge rushers

Carolina general manager Dan Morgan put together a very strong 2025 NFL draft class, beginning with taking WR1 at No. 8 overall.
Tim Weaver|
Sep 22, 2024; Paradise, Nevada, USA; Carolina Panthers general manager Dan Morgan during the game against the Las Vegas Raiders at Allegiant Stadium.
Sep 22, 2024; Paradise, Nevada, USA; Carolina Panthers general manager Dan Morgan during the game against the Las Vegas Raiders at Allegiant Stadium. | Kirby Lee-Imagn Images

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Carolina Panthers

The Carolina Panthers had several major needs to address during the 2025 NFL draft. At the top of the list were finding another legitimate pass-catching weapon for Bryce Young and improving their pass rush rotation. Thanks in large part to the way general manager Dan Morgan went about it, they managed to check both of those boxes before Day 3, freeing them up to hit other roster holes.

Going in the Panthers were widely expected to take Jalon Walker or another edge rusher at No. 8 overall. Instead, Morgan zigged and picked the consensus No. 1 wide receiver in the draft in Tetairoa McMillan.

Here's Morgan explaining his decision to target Tet first rather than go edge in Round 1 to Panthers legend Thomas Davis.

The Panthers also went one step further addressing those top two needs landing two great edge prospects on Day 2 and picking up Notre Dame tight end Mitchell Evans on Day 3.

Not every pick Morgan made was perfect. For example, taking Georgia running back Trevor Etienne in the fourth round seemed awfully early to pick a third running back, which probably could have waited until the sixth or seventh round.

Other than that we have literally no complaints about this draft class, though. A+ grades and smiley faces are well-deserved for everyone involved.

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Tim Weaver
TIM WEAVER

Tim Weaver has been writing about the NFL since the 2013 season for multiple teams and outlets, including USA Today and The Sporting News. He currently covers the Seattle Seahawks and Carolina Panthers for On SI.