Half of Panthers' draft class listed in ESPN's 'best picks' of 2025

The Carolina Panthers are continuing to draw rave reviews for their 2025 NFL draft.

ESPN analyst Matt Miller recently ranked the best 100 picks from this year's selection process—highlighting all the top fits, steals and values. Miller's list includes four of the eight members of Carolina's class, beginning with wide receiver Tetairoa McMillan at No. 25:

The value at No. 8 might not be ideal, but everything else about this pick is exciting. Quarterback Bryce Young needed a receiver who can win one-on-one battles, and McMillan thrives in contested-catch situations. Having a 6-foot-4, 219-pound receiver is great for Young's development, and Panthers coach Dave Canales worked well with big receivers in Tampa Bay.

Miller, on his final big board, had McMillan down as his 22nd-best prospect—leaving him to question his placement as the eighth overall pick. But if you ask the man who actually made the pick, the Panthers got their guy.

"We're super excited about our eighth pick," general manager Dan Morgan told reporters after the first round. "Getting Tet—he's somebody that we obviously really liked. Thought he could add a different dimension to our offense and just add another playmaker to the offensive side of the ball.

"Not only a great player, but he's a great kid and somebody that Dave and I really value. So we're excited to have him in the building and excited to get going with him."

The Panthers are also represented on Miller's rankings by fourth-round safety Lathan Ransom (No. 47), third-round edge rusher Princely Umanmielen (No. 74) and fourth-round running back Trevor Etienne (No. 93).