The Carolina Panthers made a surprising yet crucial move in the 2025 NFL Draft by selecting wide receiver Tetairoa McMillan from the University of Arizona with the eighth overall pick. This decision diverged from expectations, which leaned heavily towards bolstering their struggling defense. Third-year quarterback Bryce Young has been in desperate need of dynamic receiving options, and McMillan’s selection aims to enhance his arsenal. The move has garnered mixed reactions from experts, with grades ranging from A+ to C, reflecting a spectrum of opinions on whether prioritizing offense over defense was the right call for a team with a historically weak defense.