Apparently, the Carolina Panthers weren’t the only team that viewed receiver Tetairoa McMillan as “their guy” in the 2025 NFL draft.
According to Dianna Russini of The Athletic, the Los Angeles Rams were attempting to trade up from the 26th overall spot on Thursday night. Teams believed that they were targeting McMillan—who was taken by the Panthers with the eighth selection of the first round.
Had the Rams succeeded, McMillan would’ve been paired with fellow wideout and Pro Bowler Puka Nacua. But their position isn’t the only thing they have in common.
Interestingly enough, Nacua was named the Polynesian High School Football Player of the Year in 2018 and McMillan the Polynesian College Football Player of the Year in 2024.
Plus, the 6-foot-4 McMillan probably would’ve been an absolute menace under head coach Sean McVay.
Nonetheless, Los Angeles eventually made out . . . by actually trading down. The Rams shipped off that 26th pick, as well as the 101st, to the Atlanta Falcons in exchange for the 46th pick, the 242nd pick and a 2026 first-round pick.
So even though the Panthers got their guy, the Rams still ended up getting someone—Falcons general manager Terry Fontenot.
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This article originally appeared on Panthers Wire: NFL draft: Rams tried to trade up for Panthers WR Tetairoa McMillan