New Carolina Panthers receiver Tetairoa McMillan seemed to be a pretty hot commodity on Thursday night.
In a surprise to many, the 6-foot-4, 219-pound pass catcher was selected with the eighth overall pick of the 2025 NFL draft. McMillan, who was expected to drop out of the top 10 by quite a few folks in and around the league, ended up finding a new home rather quickly as the first true wideout to go in this year’s class.
But, as it turns out, reports of his free fall were greatly exaggerated.
Shortly after the selection, Dianna Russini of The Athletic reported that the Los Angeles Rams were attempting to trade up from the 26th overall spot. Teams, per Russini, believed their target was none other than McMillan.
And their front office wasn’t the only one that tried to secure the All-American.
Check out this reaction from Dallas Cowboys star pass rusher Micah Parsons after Carolina turned in their card . . .
‘THAT WAS SUPPOSED TO BE OUR PICK!’
Micah Parsons was going through it after the Panthers drafted Tet McMillan 🤣 pic.twitter.com/6LSCdI2jYG
— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) April 25, 2025
Cowboys owner Jerry Jones also may have hinted that McMillan was their top option at the 12th overall pick . . .
Jerry Jones would not say whether Tetairoa McMillan would have been the Cowboys pick had he been available at 12. He was asked how bad the Cowboys need to add a WR and RB on Friday. pic.twitter.com/8kiVQxny1a
— Todd Archer (@toddarcher) April 25, 2025
McMillan would have been a fine fit for the Cowboys, who are still in the market for a No. 2 receiver to pair with All-Pro CeeDee Lamb.
Unfortunately for them, and for the Rams, the Panthers had their guy.
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This article originally appeared on Panthers Wire: 2025 NFL draft: Cowboys were targeting Panthers WR Tetairoa McMillan