Do the Panthers go in a different direction in 2025 re-draft?

You don’t need to remind Carolina Panthers fans how costly a bad first-round draft pick can be. Despite their success as a whole on Day 1, the franchise has reeled in a few busts over their history.

But they may not need to throw their most recent catch back into the water.

In 2025, the Panthers spent the eighth overall selection on Arizona wideout Tetairoa McMillan. And he didn’t disappoint—amassing a franchise rookie record of 1,014 receiving yards and seven touchdowns en route to capturing the organization’s first AP Offensive Rookie of the Year honors since 2011.

So, would they do it the same way if they had a second chance? According to a new 2025 NFL re-draft at Bleacher Report, they would.

Analyst Gary Davenport has Carolina doubling down on McMillan:

If it’s not broken, don’t fix it. It didn’t long for McMillan to emerge as Bryce Young‘s No. 1 target in Carolina—in his second professional game, McMillan caught six of 10 targets for 100 yards. By season’s end, McMillan led the Panthers across the board in receiving stats… There’s no reason for the Panthers to change this pick.

If it’s not broken, don’t fix it. It didn’t long for McMillan to emerge as Bryce Young‘s No. 1 target in Carolina—in his second professional game, McMillan caught six of 10 targets for 100 yards. By season’s end, McMillan led the Panthers across the board in receiving stats… There’s no reason for the Panthers to change this pick.

It’s difficult to argue against taking McMillan again, especially after the Panthers traded Adam Thielen to the Minnesota Vikings just before the season began. Then again, you could also make a case for a few other players that were still available in the re-draft—including tight end Colston Loveland, fellow receiver Emeka Egbuka or safety Nick Emmanwori.

All that being said, the Panthers needed to upgrade quarterback Bryce Young’s wide receiver group, above all other concerns—and McMillan was the right pick to make.

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