CHARLOTTE (CHARLOTTE SPORTS LIVE) — The Panthers stuck with offense in the first round Thursday night, selecting Arizona wide receiver Tetairoa “Tet” McMillan with the No. 8 overall pick in the NFL Draft.
At 6-foot-4, 219 pounds, McMillan burst onto the scene in 2022 as Arizona’s highest-ranked signed recruit in program history. In 2024, the native Hawaiian was a first-team AP All-American finishing third in the FBS with 1,319 receiving yards.
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McMillan started the 2024 season in impressive fashion. In the Wildcats’ season-opening win against New Mexico, he caught 10 passes for 304 yards and four touchdowns. He went off again in a loss to West Virginia Oct. 26, grabbing 10 balls for 202 yards and one score.
Many Panthers fans were expecting the team to go with defense, but they weren’t upset with the newest target for quarterback Bryce Young.
“Pleasantly surprised,” said Kaleb Little, who attended a draft night party in South End. “I was thinking Jalon Walker earlier, but giving Bryce the number one wide receiver target out there is going to make a world of a difference.”
This was the second straight year Carolina has taken a receiver with their top pick, and the fourth straight with a player on the offensive side of the ball. They traded up one spot last year to take Xavier Legette out of South Carolina.
Adam Thielen led the Panthers in 2024 with only 615 receiving yards. With his size and ball skills, McMillan would give Young and the offense a much-needed threat in the passing game.
“We’ve been wanting to certify that position for a while,” said another fan Sulay Kemokai. “I think Bryce needed some help and finally got the help. we’ve been working on our defense in the off season, so I’m happy with the pick.”
The Panthers’ next selection is expected to be the 25th pick in the second round Friday night.