The Carolina Panthers entered the 2025 NFL Draft with a very specific draft strategy and they absolute nailed it. The team addressed key positional needs in the early rounds, then filled out the perfect scheme fits with their later selections. Let's dive in and great each pick made by Dan Morgan and the Panthers staff.

Round 1, pick 8: Tetairoa McMillan, WR Arizona

More NFL Draft analysts should have seen this coming. The Panthers tried to fix the wide receiver position in the first round last year with Xavier Legette, but he's still a bit raw in terms of his skill set (despite the athleticism). Adam Thielen is an aging shell of what he once was. Jalen Coker was a UDFA for a reason. McMillan gives the team a verified WR1 stud immediately. Size, YAC ability, elite production profile. He's the complete package.

Pick Grade: A+

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Round 2, pick 51: Nic Scourton, EDGE Texas A&M

This pick is exactly why the Panthers felt good about taking a wide receiver round one. The edge defender depth in this draft class led to studs like Nic Scourton dropping to the Panthers in the second round. Scourton posted elite pass rush rate stats two seasons ago, added a bit too much weight last year which hurt his efficiency, but he's back down to his optimal playing weight now. He should be an immediate plug and play starter at edge rusher.

Pick Grade: A

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Round 3, pick 77: Princely Umanmielen, EDGE Ole Miss

The Panthers went back to back edge rushers because they had one of the worst pass rushes in the league last year (zero players with over six sacks). Prince Umanmielen was one of the best pass rushers in the nation last year as he brought pressure on nearly 20% of his attempts to get to opposing quarterbacks. He fell inexplicably after many believed he would be a Top 50 pick. Excellent value. Proven production. He could start opposite Nic Scourton for quite a while once they both get up to speed in the defense. 

Pick Grade: A

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Round 4, pick 114: Trevor Etienne, RB Georgia

This was the portion of the draft where the Panthers began targeting specific scheme fits and needs. Trevor Etienne feels like a luxury pick considering the committee of running backs already on the team, but he brings value in the passing game that no else on the team does. Etienne was excellent in pass protection and forces defenders to miss quite often in space after receptions. He could push for a surprisingly significant role earlier than fans might expect. He's not ever going to be the feature back, but this isn't bad value here.

Pick Grade: B

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Round 4, pick 122: Lathan Ransom, S Ohio State

The Panthers needed to add some safety depth and competition to go along with the talented Trevon Moehrig. They did more than that here. Lathan Ransom could likely earn a starting free safety role with the team pretty early. He started playing slot at Ohio State, moved to more of a box role by year three, then finished up as a deep safety who could do it all in his national championship season with the Buckeyes. Ransom fits perfectly as a free, but could fill in wherever the Panthers need him. Excellent pick here.

Pick Grade: A

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Round 5, pick 140: Cam Jackson, DT Florida

The Panthers' league-worst scoring defense needed to get a whole lot better at run defense, so drafting a truly elite run stopper like Cam Jackson out of Florida in round five made a ton of sense. He's quite limited as a pass rusher, so he's pretty one-dimensional, but Jackson was a perfect scheme fit on the defensive front that should help the team fix a specific issue.

Pick Grade: B

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Round 5, pick 163: Mitchell Evans, TE Notre Dame

Mitchell Evans isn't a plus athlete at the tight end position, but he offers a balanced skill set as a receiver and blocker. The Panthers have been trying to fix the tight end position for a couple draft cycles now, but Evans probably won't give them anything they don't already have on offense. Ja'Tavion Sanders is a better receiver. Tommy Tremble is probably a better blocker. Evans still may compete for a significant role later in his rookie contract.

Pick Grade: B-

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Round 6, pick 208: Jimmy Horn Jr., WR Colorado

The Panthers could have taken a swing at a wide receiver that projected to be more than a special teams player here, but Jimmy Horn Jr. does fit a need as a return weapon for Carolina. Horn returned nearly 50 kickoffs and punts throughout his time in college and should compete to be the team's primary return weapon early.

Pick Grade: B-

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Full 2025 Panthers Draft Class

• Round 1, pick 8: Tetairoa McMillan, WR Arizona
• Round 2, pick 51: Nic Scourton, EDGE Texas A&M
• Round 3, pick 77: Princely Umanmielen, EDGE Ole Miss
• Round 4, pick 114: Trevor Etienne, RB Georgia
• Round 4, pick 122: Lathan Ransom, S Ohio State
• Round 5, pick 140: Cam Jackson, DT Florida
• Round 5, pick 163: Mitchell Evans, TE Notre Dame
• Round 6, pick 208: Jimmy Horn Jr., WR Colorado
  
  Final Class Grade: A-

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We'll be back with more Carolina Panthers coverage here at A to Z Sports soon! Follow me (@FF_TravisM) and A to Z Sports (@AtoZSportsNFL) on X for all the latest football news!

And if you want to see how Princely Umanmielen could completely revamp the Carolina Panthers pass rush just check out his highlights in the video below!

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