Dan Morgan has successfully navigated what was a pivotal 2025 NFL Draft for the Carolina Panthers. The general manager laid the table with some impressive moves in free agency. He enhanced the team's chances of turning things around with some masterful board management throughout the process.
There was a nice balance with the Panthers' picks. Morgan wasn't going to fixate solely on either side of the football. He feels like the veterans acquired over his first two years provided the luxury to react to what was going on in front of him. The front-office leader also showed his ruthless streak by striking with conviction when opportunities arose.
Fans on social media were thrilled with Morgan's returns. They have to prove it on the field and immerse themselves in Dave Canales' culture shift, but the Panthers filled needs and bolstered depth with intriguing development pieces that could become something more over time.
All signs are pointing up for the Panthers. If the draft class hits the ground running and the young players all develop accordingly, one couldn't dismiss the possibility of an NFC South title challenge for this perennial struggler.
That's for the future. For now, we graded every pick from the Panthers' 2025 NFL Draft class.
Grading every Carolina Panthers pick from the 2025 NFL Draft
Carolina Panthers drafted Tetairoa McMillan
- Wide Receiver | Arizona Wildcats
- Round No. 1 | Pick No. 8
The Carolina Panthers started their 2025 NFL Draft with a bang. Most thought general manager Dan Morgan would spend his first-round pick on fortifying the defense. He had other plans, which centered on Arizona wide receiver Tetairoa McMillan at No. 8 overall.
This was a dream come true for quarterback Bryce Young. The No. 1 pick in 2023 and McMillan spent time over the offseason working out together in California. He got a glowing reference from the Heisman Trophy winner, which cemented what Morgan and Dave Canales believed.
McMillan was the best wide receiver in this group, not named Travis Hunter. He's a unique pass-catcher with a flair for the dramatic. Some of his highlight-reel catches in college were nothing short of extraordinary. There's a little bit of Mike Evans in his game, so Canales should already have a good idea of how best to maximize the exceptional traits at his disposal.
- Draft grade: A
The Panthers could have a genuine superstar on their hands. McMillan brings that flair that very few wideouts possess. There are concerns about his speed and separation ability in the pros, but the ceiling is through the roof if some slight tweaks are made.
Carolina Panthers drafted Nic Scourton
- Edge Rusher | Texas A&M Aggies
- Round No. 2 | Pick No. 51
After the Carolina Panthers selected wide receiver Tetairoa McMillan at No. 8 overall, one objective entered Dan Morgan's thought process above all else. This centered on providing defensive coordinator Ejiro Evero with a prolific young pass-rusher to bolster the ranks.
The Panthers faced a waiting game at No. 57 overall. Morgan was impatient, striking a trade with the Denver Broncos to surge up for his desired prospect.
Carolina swapped four picks over various stages of the draft for the No. 51 overall selection. The target was Nic Scourton, who some analysts believed was destined for a first-round pick before sliding down the pecking order.
Scourton is an athletically gifted edge rusher with proven production at the college level. He played a little heavier than anticipated at Texas A&M last season, but the prospect worked hard to shift a lot of weight heading into the assessment process.
Although Scourton represents a work in progress in some areas, there's nothing to suggest he cannot become impactful on the defensive rotation right out of the gate. His speed-to-power is impressive, matched by an exceptional spin move that is incredibly difficult to stop. That won't be enough in the pros, so adding to his arsenal is key throughout the summer and beyond.
- Draft grade: A
There's no doubt Scourton represented a risky first-round pick. He could be tremendous value in the second, especially considering the Panthers didn't give up anything more than pick swaps to acquire him.
Carolina Panthers drafted Princely Umanmielen
- Edge Rusher | Ole Miss Rebels
- Round No. 3 | Pick No. 77
Dan Morgan wasn't done adding edge rushers. The Carolina Panthers are desperately thin on the ground in this area. He went a long way to rectify this glaring issue with another trade-up for someone high on their board.
This time, Morgan did have to give something up. The Panthers gave a fifth-round pick to the New England Patriots in exchange for the No. 77 selection and No. 85 overall. This came with significant intrigue and a welcome surprise when Carolina went with Princely Umanmielen.
Umanmielen's transfer from Florida to Ole Miss in 2024 went according to plan. The pass-rusher gained 10.5 sacks, displaying explosiveness and patience to exploit weaknesses. He's got some work ahead against the run, but the athletic intangibles suggest improvements can arrive quickly.
Adding some muscle mass would be wise upon joining the pros. Umanmielen struggles to shed blocks on running plays, but his burst off the line and agile bend to move around offensive tackles are traits the Panthers lacked during a defensive campaign to forget in 2024.
- Draft grade: A
This was another conviction guy that the Panthers moved swiftly to acquire. That brings an extra sense of pressure, but Umanmielen represents a high-value selection who could make a lasting contribution immediately.
Carolina Panthers drafted Trevor Etienne
- Running Back | Georgia Bulldogs
- Round No. 4 | Pick No. 114
The Carolina Panthers needed to find another running back. It wasn't an urgent need, but Dave Canales' intent to set the tone on the ground warranted another intriguing option capable of generating reps immediately.
Chuba Hubbard and free-agent signing Rico Dowdle will shoulder the load. With Jonathon Brooks on the shelf with a torn ACL for most, if not all, of 2025, the Panthers took drastic action. And with running backs flying off the board to start Day 3, they did it sooner rather than later.
Morgan wasn't going to sit on his hands for fear of missing out entirely. Trevor Etienne was the guy at No. 114 overall, whose brother made instant NFL waves with the Jacksonville Jaguars, albeit from a much loftier draft status.
The former Georgia standout could have gone higher too had it not been for some frustrating injuries. Although that's stunted his progress somewhat, his on-field flashes and gradual impact in the passing game when targets come his way could be of use to the Panthers next season.
- Draft grade: B
Just how the running back situation evolves when Brooks comes back into the fold is anyone's guess. What's important for Etienne is firmly establishing himself and leaving no doubt regarding his long-term outlook.
Carolina Panthers drafted Lathan Ransom
- Safety | Ohio State Buckeyes
- Round No. 4 | Pick No. 122
Adding tone-setters to the defense was high on Dan Morgan's list of priorities this offseason. The Panthers were too soft last time around en route to an embarrassing campaign. Credit to the front office leader for giving this subpar group the attention it deserved.
After the Panthers double-dipped at the edge rushing spot on Day 2, it didn't take long for additional defensive reinforcements to arrive on Day 3. And this time, it was the safety corps that got an injection of energy that was missing more often than not in 2024.
Dave Canales could barely contain his excitement when Lathan Ransom was still available at No. 122 overall. It's not hard to see why the former Ohio State prospect was coveted by those in power.
Ransom is ultra-aggressive. He plays every down like it's his last, bringing urgency and physicality in equal measure. Becoming more disciplined against the run would be wise, but there is a considerable amount to work with here.
- Draft grade: B+
It's another player with extensive college experience, even though there are some medical red flags. Ransom alleviated those fears during the Buckeyes' run to the college football national championship, so there's a lot to like about his fit on the rotation and special teams as a rookie.
Carolina Panthers drafted Cam Jackson
- Defensive Line | Florida Gators
- Round No. 5 | Pick No. 140
Beefing up the trenches didn't stop just because the Carolina Panthers spent lavish sums on Bobby Brown III and Tershawn Wharton in free agency. Not when Ejiro Evero's 3-4 front was devoid of any legitimate depth during a campaign that will live long in the memory for all the wrong reasons.
Things look much better now. And there is plenty to like about the physical tools Cam Jackson brings to the table.
Jackson is a huge presence. He's a brute force against the run, displaying an almost immovable core base and violent hands to shed blocks. He's not the best pass-rusher and might be a two-down lineman in the pros, but it can only help a unit that coughed up more than 3,000 yards on the ground last season.
- Draft grade: B-
This is a boom or bust pick. The Panthers will give Jackson time to hone some technical flaws. But adding him to short-yardage situations as another imposing body wouldn't be the worst idea in the world.
Carolina Panthers drafted Mitchell Evans
- Tight End | Notre Dame Fighting Irish
- Round No. 5 | Pick No. 163
The Panthers had to find another tight end to go along with Tommy Tremble and Ja'Tavion Sanders. Dan Morgan resisted the urge to take one of the blue-chip prospects early, opting to wait in pursuit of finding some value on Day 3 instead.
Mitchell Evans represents exactly that. The Notre Dame graduate isn't a flashy player. He's not typically explosive and struggles to gain extra yards when contact arrives. However, he does the fundamentals well and is a decent option over short-to-intermediate routes in the passing game.
The numbers in college aren't exactly jaw-dropping, but Evans is dependable. He'll never be able to stretch the field, so the Panthers should utilize him more as a possession-type who can also emerge as a red-zone threat.
- Grade grade: A
This was one of my favorite picks. Don't be surprised if Evans starts rising the depth chart quickly if he leaves an early impression.
Carolina Panthers drafted Jimmy Horn Jr.
- Wide Receiver | Colorado Buffaloes
- Round No. 6 | Pick No. 208
Bryce Young started the draft by getting another weapon in the passing game. He ended it by welcoming another wide receiver into the mix.
The Panthers took Jimmy Horn Jr. at No. 208 overall. He's not the typical physical presence Dave Canales looks for, but it provides more schematic variety into the mix. And he comes highly recommended after a solid if not spectacular college career.
Horn projects as a slot specialist with the scope to be moved around to exploit mismatches. Spending as much time with Adam Thielen as possible should be an immediate objective for the rookie. Learning from one of the league's most accomplished route runners is the best way to make quick strides.
- Draft grade: B+
If the Panthers find ways to maximize Horn's fluid moves and change of direction prowess without him getting jammed up at the line, this could be a high-value selection to conclude what was a fantastic draft from Carolina's perspective.