Tetairoa McMillan

Rams Made Offer For Panthers’ No. 8 Pick; Carolina Eyed Jalon Walker As Backup Plan

June 4th, 2025 at 10:32am CST by Sam Robinson

Despite having made a Cooper Kupp-for-Davante Adams offseason switch, the Rams were connected to wide receivers in the draft. Buzz about Los Angeles and Emeka Egbuka emerged, but prior to that, the team was believed to be interested in a trade-up for Tetairoa McMillan.

Rams-McMillan rumors came up shortly after the Panthers made their pick at No. 8, but a recent offering from the NFC South team reveals Los Angeles did make an offer. The Panthers discussed terms with the Rams well into their time on the clock, and the Dan Morgan–Brandt Tilis duo debated (YouTube link) accepting Les Snead‘s offer.

The NFC teams discussed trade terms before the draft, per Tilis, but the Rams look to have come in with a different offer during the first round. Morgan assumed L.A. was eyeing McMillan at No. 8, leading him to ask for a monster proposal. The Panthers and Rams had made a key swap during last year’s second round, a move that gave the Rams Braden Fiske (after a move from No. 52 to No. 39) and the Panthers a 2025 second-rounder.

“It’s like if they want this, they’re going to have to go above and beyond, kind of like what they did to us last year when they gave us the two,” Morgan said, via Panthers.com’s Darin Gantt. “That’s because I was convicted on our guy. I really don’t want to lose this player. But if we are going to lose the player, and it’s something that could potentially set us up for the future, if we get a load of picks out of them, then let’s explore it.

“But I didn’t really want to. I was kind of hoping that they would say no. So when they said no at the end, I was fine with it. I was actually like, ‘Sweet.'”

It is not known what the Rams proposed, but a 2026 first-rounder and much more would have been required for the Panthers to move back to No. 26. After the Rams did not swing a deal for McMillan or Egbuka, they acquired a 2026 first-round pick — potential ammo for a QB-based trade-up next year — from the Falcons, who traded back into Round 1 for James Pearce Jr. The Falcons had chosen Jalon Walker at No. 15. The Panthers were closely connected to the hybrid Georgia linebacker, and The Athletic’s Joe Person notes the team would have been comfortable taking him at No. 8 — in the event McMillan was off the board.

A meeting between McMillan and WRs coach Rob Moore convinced the Panthers, who have now made first- or second-round receiver investments in the past three drafts (following Xavier Legette and the since-traded Jonathan Mingo). Carolina tabled its pass rush need to Day 2, viewing this draft’s EDGE class as bringing superior options compared to what the second round presented at wideout. As Walker will be expected to help solve the Falcons’ years-long edge-rushing issue, McMillan will be a central component of the Panthers’ renewed Bryce Young development effort.

The Panthers would have also been comfortable taking Mason Graham, Person adds, but the Browns closed that path by choosing him at No. 5. It is unclear how the Panthers would have proceeded between Graham and McMillan had the Michigan DT slid to 8. Had Carolina enjoyed access to Graham, Dallas awaited a potential McMillan grab at No. 12. Though, the 49ers and Packers were interested in trading up for the Arizona pass catcher as well.

The Rams did not choose a receiver until Round 7, and while they re-signed Tutu Atwell, it is fairly clear it wanted another weapon to pair with Adams — who will turn 33 before season’s end — and Puka Nacua. The Rams can also separate from Adams with a modest dead money charge in 2026. Not landing an early-round talent at the position, a year after a Brock Bowers-based trade-up move failed, would stand to affect Adams’ chances of playing out his two-year, $46MM L.A. accord.

Panthers Sign WR Tetairoa McMillan, Five Other Draft Picks

May 9th, 2025 at 9:47am CST by Adam La Rose

Most of the Panthers’ draft class has been signed in advance of the team’s rookie minicamp. Six of the eight players selected during last month’s event have put pen to paper, per a team announcement.

The list of players now on the books includes Tetairoa McMillan. The No. 8 pick’s deal is four years in length, but like all first-round selections the fifth-year option will be in play for Carolina if the team wishes to keep him in place for 2029. Exercising the option would of course be a sign McMillan’s early years in the NFL have gone according to plan.

The Arizona product spent much of the pre-draft process viewed as the top receiver in the 2025 class (aside from two-way star Travis Hunter). Concerns about his top speed raised the possibility of a slide down the Day 1 order, but that did not prove to be the case. The Panthers – long thought to be targeting a defensive player with their top choice – took McMillan and by doing so added a first-round wideout for the second straight season under general manager Dan Morgan.

Quarterback Bryce Young advocated for the McMillan selection, one which should give him a sizable target early and often with the Panthers. McMillan totaled 2,721 yards and 18 touchdowns across the past two seasons, demonstrating his skillset as a contested catch specialist and red zone threat along the way. An All-American in 2024, he will be counted on to operate as a possession receiver for a Panthers team in need of improved play in the passing game moving forward.

Many expected Carolina to target an edge rusher at the No. 8 spot. Instead, the team waited to address that need on Day 2, preferring the depth amongst pass rushers compared to receivers in this year’s class. That resulted in the Panthers’ second- and third-round selections being used to help an edge rush group in need of increased production for 2025.

One of those new faces is third-rounder Princely Umanmielen. The Ole Miss product has inked his rookie deal, joining safety Lathan Ransom (fourth round, Ohio State), defensive tackle Cam Jackson (fifth round, Florida), tight end Mitchell Evans (fifth round, Notre Dame) and receiver Jimmy Horn (sixth round, Colorado) in that regard. Only two draftees – Nic Scourton and Trevor Etienne – are unsigned at this point.

Panthers’ View Of OLB Depth Impacted Tetairoa McMillan Pick

April 30th, 2025 at 3:08pm CST by Sam Robinson

The Panthers have now made three first- or second-round wide receiver picks in three years, bringing in Jonathan Mingo, Xavier Legette and Tetairoa McMillan. Although McMillan’s arrival can be viewed as a sign of early concern regarding Legette, Bryce Young made a push to have the Arizona WR prospect routed to Charlotte.

Young’s endorsement notwithstanding, the Panthers passed on improving their league-worst defense at No. 8. They circled back to their glaring outside linebacker need by using both their Day 2 picks (Nic Scourton, Princely Umanmielen) on the position, with these picks coming after the team shopped Jadeveon Clowney before the draft. The McMillan pick also emerged due to Carolina brass’ view of the draft depth at wide receiver and edge rushers.

Carolina believed this class featured better Day 2 options on the edge compared to wide receiver, according to SI.com’s Albert Breer. This led to the team filling its WR need early while betting it could land edge players soon after. The Panthers did pass on Jalon Walker, whom Breer adds the team had graded highly, to select McMillan. Ole Miss defensive tackle Walter Nolen also checked in high on the Panthers’ board, per Breer. Those defenders went 15th and 16th, respectively.

Given the Panthers’ modest approach to replacing Brian Burns last year, passing on Walker is risky. Carolina ranked last in points and yards allowed in 2024, despite its three-win improvement from a dismal 2023, and HC interest in Ejiro Evero — a 2023 and ’24 storyline — dimmed. The Panthers lost their 2025 second-round pick (No. 39), the final asset conveyed in the Young trade, but had picked up No. 57 from the Rams (via the 2024 Braden Fiske swap). The team traded up to Denver’s No. 51 spot for Scourton, who drew some late-first-round buzz. They then traded up (via the Patriots) to No. 77 for Umanmielen. The team will hope the former Texas A&M and Purdue edge rusher can hit the ground running, as Clowney may not be around as a veteran presence.

The Panthers have spoken with multiple teams on Clowney, and GM Dan Morgan did not confirm his roster spot. If Clowney is to return, The Athletic’s Joe Person notes his workload will be reduced. Clowney played 57% of the Ravens’ defensive snaps in 2023 but 64% of the Panthers’ last season. He finished with 5.5 sacks and four pass deflections — both numbers down from 2023. Clowney, 32, did match his Baltimore TFL number (nine) in his first Carolina season. If the former No. 1 overall pick is to return, he will be viewed as a bridge player while the rookies develop alongside free agency addition Patrick Jones. Clowney entering the season as a Panther also would make him a fairly obvious deadline chip.

As for the Panthers’ McMillan move, it came as the 49ers and Packers joined the Rams in showing interest. The Cowboys also appeared ready to take McMillan at No. 12. The 49ers joined the Rams in attempting to trade up with the Panthers, Breer adds.

Passing on a rumored trade-down maneuver, Carolina had shown increased interest in McMillan as the pre-draft process progressed. A late Zoom meeting with WRs coach Rob Moore helped seal the deal, per Breer, who adds the team’s “30” visit with the 6-foot-4 pass catcher did not go as well. McMillan landed in Carolina after a string of meetings elsewhere, potentially contributing to his lack of energy during the team’s in-person visit.

McMillan will team with Legette, Jalen Coker and Adam Thielen as Carolina’s top receivers. As long as Thielen is in the mix, one of the young players would stand to draw backup reps. It would seem Thielen will be tied to trade rumors for a second straight year.

Cowboys May Reunite With Amari Cooper After Missing Out On Tetairoa McMillan

April 28th, 2025 at 4:46pm CST by Nikhil Mehta

The Cowboys were widely expected to add to their wide receiver room this offseason, but they didn’t sign any major free agents or draft a single player at the position.

Dallas would have drafted Tetairoa McMillan with the No. 12 pick if he was available, according to ESPN’s Todd Archer, but the Arizona wideout was selected three picks earlier by the Panthers. They also explored a trade for a veteran receiver from the AFC North, per Archer, but couldn’t come to terms to finalize the deal.

Now, Dallas will likely have to add one of the veteran receivers still available in free agency. One name has already jumped out at the team, per Nick Harris of the Fort Worth Star-Telegram: Amari Cooper. He had a down year in 2024, both in Cleveland before the trade deadline and in Buffalo after. The 30-year-old posted the lowest per-game numbers of his career and has received little interest in free agency as a result.

The Cowboys have discussed the possibility of a reunion with Cooper internally, but no deal is imminent, according to NFL Network’s Jane Slater. The team is still evaluating their options at the position, which also include veteran free agents like Keenan Allen and Nelson Agholor.

After missing out on McMillan, the Cowboys went with offensive guard Tyler Booker and by the time they were back on the clock in the second round, four more receivers were off the board. Dallas took Florida State edge rusher Donovan Ezeiruaku with pick No. 44, and another four wideouts were taken before their next pick, which they used on Eastern Carolina cornerback Shavon Revel. All three players were ranked among the team’s top 35 prospects, according to Archer.

Though the Cowboys didn’t address their biggest need in the draft, it’s hard to argue with their process. They drew criticism for taking a guard with such a high first-round pick, especially since Booker was not considered a top-20 talent. However, he was thought to be the best guard in the draft, and the team’s acquisition of falling talents at premium positions in Ezeiruaku and Revel allowed them to finish Day 2 with three players who could start as rookies.

Bryce Young Pushed For Panthers’ Tetairoa McMillan Selection; Rams Showed Interest

April 25th, 2025 at 3:02pm CST by Adam La Rose

Many expected the Panthers to explore trading down during last night’s opening round. Failing that, a defensive addition was seen as a logical target. Wideout Tetairoa McMillan emerged as a name to watch, however, and the Arizona wideout was taken with the No. 8 pick.

In the wake of that decision, further details have emerged on the McMillan pick. Carolina elected to draft a wideout for the second offseason in a row, after general manager Dan Morgan and Co. went with Xavier Legette in 2024. McMillan had a strong advocate in the form of quarterback Bryce Young, something he touched on shortly after hearing his name called.

“Going into Mr. Morgan’s office, going into coach [Dave] Canales’ office and really just sitting on the table for me and telling them, ‘Hey, man, we need to pick this guy,’” McMillan said, via Joe Person of The Athletic (subscription required). “Although I feel like I did what I needed to do to be in this position, I give credit to Bryce for vouching for me and ultimately for them taking a chance on me.”

Over the course of his three years in college, the All-American demonstrated a strong ability with respect to contested catches in particular. While questions linger about McMillan’s deep speed and ability to separate at the NFL level, his skillset will be welcomed on a offense which ranked 30th in passing yardage last season. It will be interesting to see how Young and McMillan operate together given the former No. 1 pick’s role in the latter’s arrival in Charlotte.

Morgan said (via Person) there was trade interest in the Panthers’ top pick, which comes as no surprise. The Rams were among those looking to move up the board, with Person’s colleague Dianna Russini reporting McMillan was viewed as the target for that effort. Los Angeles moved on from Cooper Kupp this offseason, leaving Puka Nacua and free agent addition Davante Adams atop the depth chart at the WR spot. After seeing McMillan (along with fellow wideouts Emeka Egbuka and Matthew Golden) hear their names called on Day 1, the Rams ultimately traded out of the first round.

For the Panthers, meanwhile, McMillan will be expected to handle a notable workload right away alongside Legette and (for at least one season) veteran Adam Thielen. If he develops as planned, the team could have a strong receiver tandem in place for years to come.

Panthers Draft Tetairoa McMillan At No. 8

April 24th, 2025 at 8:04pm CST by Ben Levine

The Panthers were a candidate to trade down, and ESPN’s Adam Schefter reports Carolina fielded calls about doing so. Instead, Carolina has retained the selection.

Many felt Jalon Walker would be the team’s top choice, and he was on the board at No. 8. Surprisingly, neither Walker nor another defender is headed to Carolina. Receiver Tetairoa McMillan has been selected.

Tet is certainly worthy of an early-first-round selection following his standout career at Arizona. His numbers took a slight step back in 2024, but he still finished the campaign with 84 catches for 1,319 yards, a performance that definitively established him as one of the draft’s top wide receivers.

The Panthers have clearly been motivated to provide former first-overall pick Bryce Young with as many young targets as possible. The team used the No. 32 pick in last year’s draft on Xavier Legette, and the rookie finished the year with 521 yards from scrimmage.

While Young was mostly responsible for his benching last year, the team’s lack of dynamic receiver depth certainly didn’t help. Now, the signal-caller will be armed with a pair of highly-touted WRs, making this a crucial year for both Young and the Panthers offense.

McMillan will likely be penciled in atop the depth chart next to Legette heading into next season. Adam Thielen is still kicking around, and the Panthers are hanging on to the likes of David Moore and Jalen Coker. Those veterans shouldn’t provide the rookie with many threats for playing time, and there’s a chance Tet ends up emerging as the team’s top offensive weapon.

While WR was certainly a need for the organization, there was a belief that they’d ultimately settle for Walker. Although Carolina did not send a large contingent to Walker’s Athens pro day earlier this month, sources believed Dan Morgan and Dave Canales remained high on the intriguing front-seven piece, especially after the team failed to replace Brian Burns in 2024.

Adam La Rose contributed to this post.

Draft Notes: Jets, Panthers, Warren, Cousins

April 24th, 2025 at 6:53pm CST by Adam La Rose

Set to select seventh overall, the Jets sit in an interesting position as things stand. A number of options will be available to the new regime of Darren Mougey and Aaron Glenn, many of which have already been mentioned.

Another one has emerged as the countdown to the first round nears its end. SNY’s Connor Hughes reports receiver Tetairoa McMillan has specifically been named as a potential target. The Arizona product has seen his stock shift over the course of the pre-draft process, but hearing his name called early tonight remains a distinct possibility.

Glenn has been reported to be pushing a defensive addition on Day 1, but Hughes notes the selection of an offensive lineman or a skill-position player remains the focus of attention around the team. Right tackle represents a need, while selecting a receiver or tight end would add to an offense which has undergone plenty of changes this offseason. If McMillan is on the board at No. 7, it will be interesting to see how the team proceeds. A pursuit of running back Ashton Jeanty – the subject of trade-up efforts by the Bears – meanwhile, should not be expected, ESPN’s Rich Cimini adds.

Here are some other last-minute draft notes:

For now, at least, the Panthers are scheduled to select after the Jets. Trading down has long loomed as a possibility for general manager Dan Morgan, and that remains the case at this point. If Carolina stays at No. 8, The Athletic’s Joe Person reports Jalon Walker is still the “presumed pick” as things stand. That comes as no surprise given the long-running links to the Georgia linebacker/edge rusher. Otherwise, Person names Michigan defensive tackle Mason Graham as an option, along with McMillan if the team is moved toward an offensive addition.
Tyler Warren is considered one of two first-round locks at the tight end spot. He is a strong candidate to be drafted in the top 10 as a result, but teams outside that range are interested as well. The Colts are among them, per Hughes. That comes as no surprise, given the constant connections made between Indianapolis and the team targeting a TE move with Warren or Michigan’s Colston Loveland. The Colts own pick No. 14, so a trade up the board would be required for Warren in particular.
Moves up and down the order have reportedly received consideration in the case of the Broncos. The latest update on that front comes from Person’s colleague Dianna Russini, who reports Denver is looking to trade up from No. 20. A running back or other skill-position player could be the target of such a move, depending on where in the order the team lands. Since the Broncos own the pick one spot before the Steelers (a potential QB landing spot), they will remain a team to watch closely in any event.
How things shake out at the quarterback position will be key as it pertains to Kirk Cousins. The veteran looms as an option for teams which are unable to select a rookie this weekend as he seeks a fresh start and starting opportunity. Underdog Fantasy’s James Palmer reports Cousins could waive his no-trade clause as early as tomorrow based on the QB landscape at that point. Day 2 looms as a time when many teams could add signal-callers, however, and Palmer adds a more likely scenario would be for the one-year Falcons passer to wait until after the first three rounds take place to decide on how he wants to proceed. Cousins, 36, wants to avoid a repeat of how Atlanta operated last offseason but by the end of the draft there could of course be few (if any) suitors left in need of a short-term addition under center.

Jets, Saints In Mix For Jalon Walker; Panthers Remain High On LB

April 24th, 2025 at 9:04am CST by Sam Robinson

Recovering from a quad injury during the pre-draft process, Jalon Walker‘s stock has been climbing since his recent belated pro day. The Georgia linebacker seems a safe bet to become a top-10 pick.

Mentioned as a potential Patriots wild-card pick at No. 4 overall, Walker has not received as much buzz about a Foxborough destination compared to LSU tackle Will Campbell. If the Pats do end up filling their LT need at 4, it should not be expected Walker falls far. A few other top-10 teams are closely monitoring Georgia’s top 2025 prospect.

While Ashton Jeanty seems a safe bet not to fall past No. 6, as a run of Jaguars and Raiders rumors have circulated, Las Vegas has also been connected to bolstering its O-line at No. 6. A hybrid player who has operated as an edge rusher and off-ball linebacker, Walker could conceivably be on the Raiders’ radar too. After all, this week represents is the smokescreen Super Bowl, but he is primarily being tied to the teams holding picks from Nos. 7-9.

The Panthers, who did not make a strong effort to replace Brian Burns last year, have probably been the team most closely linked to Walker. Although Carolina did not send a large contingent to Walker’s Athens pro day earlier this month, The Athletic’s Joe Person indicates NFL personnel believe Dan Morgan and Dave Canales remain high on the intriguing front-seven piece. It is possible, however, Walker fails to reach No. 8. The Jets have been tied to O-linemen or potentially Tyler Warren at No. 7, but ESPN.com’s Matt Miller projects them to draft Walker. While the team certainly needs more help on offense compared to defense, Miller points to the team eyeing an impact defender and culture fit — ahead of Aaron Glenn‘s first season in charge — in Round 1.

Considering the growing buzz on Walker, the Saints might need to look elsewhere at No. 9. But they are believed to be in on Walker as well, per NFL.com’s Jane Slater. New Orleans, however, has also done plenty of work on Michigan DT Mason Graham and Arizona wideout Tetairoa McMillan, Slater adds. Warren has also come up here, per Fox Sports’ Jordan Schultz.

Graham no longer looks likely to go to the Jaguars at 5, and while Michigan alums are now running the Raiders (which is something to monitor re: a D-tackle pick at 6), the player who has long been viewed as this draft’s top interior presence could fall toward the lower end of the top 10.

The Saints picked up Chris Olave‘s fifth-year option Wednesday, and they have Rashid Shaheed coming back from injury to join the returning Brandin Cooks. New Orleans has been on the radar for a first-round receiver in recent years, however.

The team also doled out a $10.25MM-per-year deal to retain Juwan Johnson, while Foster Moreau and Taysom Hill remain rostered at tight end. Hill, of course, roves around the formation and is now going into an age-35 season (and coming off an injury). Warren coming off a 1,200-yard season also has enticed teams; the Penn State tight end should not need to wait too long tonight.

Cowboys Likely To Target Skill Position In First Round

April 23rd, 2025 at 10:09pm CST by Ely Allen

With the 2025 NFL Draft coming tomorrow night, several teams are zoning in on where their draft focus will be in the first round. According to Dianna Russini of The Athletic, there are “many sources” who expect the Cowboys to target an offensive skill position (quarterback, running back, wide receiver, or tight end) with the No. 12 overall pick.

Considering the recent extension for quarterback Dak Prescott and the recent trade for backup passer Joe Milton, I believe we can safely dismiss any notions of quarterback being a target. The presence of two tight ends (Jake Ferguson and Luke Schoonmaker) still on their rookie deals, one of whom has a Pro Bowl to their name already, likely disqualifies that position, as well.

That leaves running back and wide receiver. Running back was certainly a weakness last year, but Dallas addressed the position in free agency this offseason, signing both Javonte Williams and Miles Sanders. While the two aren’t exactly world-beaters, they’ve each shown an ability to carry the load as a starter in the past, giving the Cowboys a passable duo of rushers for 2025. That being said, if Ashton Jeanty were to fall to 12, it would likely be hard for the team to pass him up. Other options like Omarion Hampton, can’t likely be ruled out but would more likely be targeted in the second round or with a trade back in the first.

With that in mind, we can turn our attention, as Russini did, to wide receiver, specifically, Texas wideout Matthew Golden and Arizona receiver Tetairoa McMillan. NFL Network’s Jane Slater seconded this notion today, saying that, while the team needs an offensive lineman, they really want a wide receiver.

McMillan appears to be the most desired choice, but Slater reports concerns that he’ll go before Dallas gets a chance to take him (like to the Saints at No. 9 overall). That leaves Golden, whose speed (4.29 40-yard dash at the combine) gives the Cowboys what they’re looking for in a pass catcher to pair with CeeDee Lamb.

In his last second mock draft, ESPN’s Matt Miller also landed on McMillan, though he noted the team’s extensive work done on offensive linemen. This is evidenced by the recent update that Alabama offensive guard Tyler Booker was one of the most recent players to take a top-30 visit to Dallas, per Calvin Watkins of the Dallas Morning News. Texas offensive tackle Kelvin Banks Jr. is another name Slater mentioned for the Cowboys, but there is a presumption that he will get selected before the Cowboys get to pick by the Jets at No. 7 overall.

Albert Breer of Sports Illustrated did a breakdown yesterday of each team’s biggest draft needs, and after mentioning McMillan and Golden (as well as Michigan cornerback Will Johnson) for the Cowboys, Breer turned his attention to versatile North Dakota State offensive lineman Grey Zabel. Zabel brings plenty of intrigue to the first round. Despite starting games at every position along the offensive line in college except center, Zabel has been projected as the draft class’s best center prospect. Regardless, he is certainly one of the draft’s top interior offensive linemen, and many are connecting him to Dallas.

Breer specifically mentions that Zabel won’t make it out of the teens, which Miller’s mock draft reflects, as well, sending him to the Seahawks at No. 18 overall. Per Miller, Zabel and McMillan are the two names that Seattle has focused in on. The team reportedly believes that the guard position is deeper than receiver in this draft, so McMillan would be the preference, but if either player is still around by the 18th pick, they may be headed to Seattle.

That might end up being possible, too, as Clarence Hill Jr. of All City DLLS seems to believe there is no chance of the Cowboys considering an offensive lineman in the first round, despite all the work they’ve done on the position. It seems like the only way they may land on an offensive lineman in the first round is if they trade back, which is certainly also a possibility. According to Jon Machota of The Athletic, Cowboys owner/president/general manager Jerry Jones claimed that the team is “actively looking at potential trades they could do before or after the draft.”

Other players that Slater listed as names the Cowboys are kicking around are Ole Miss defensive tackle Walter Nolen, Tennessee pass rusher James Pearce, and Virginia Tech running back Bhayshul Tuten. She notes that the team has character red flags for Pearce, so he shouldn’t be a Day 1 consideration for Dallas. She also believes that some of Jones’ trade ideas could lead the Cowboys into the late-second round, where they would target Tuten. We’re less than 24 hours away from getting to find out just how all of these ideas will finally play out in reality.

Draft Rumors: Graham, Jaguars, Raiders, OL, Cardinals, Lions, Grant, Dolphins, Panthers

April 22nd, 2025 at 7:24pm CST by Sam Robinson

The trendy Jaguars pick in mocks for weeks, Mason Graham may not be Duval County-bound after all. The Jaguars ranked 31st defensively last season (25th against the run), but they might be viewing No. 5 overall as too steep for the Michigan D-tackle prospect. Indeed, ESPN’s Adam Schefter indicated during a TV appearance (h/t Action News Jacksonville’s Daniel Griffis) he does not expect Graham to be the Jags’ pick. The Michigan alum-turned-omnipresent news breaker making this prediction certainly carries weight, especially after reports of Ashton Jeanty being in play for Jacksonville (and Travis Etienne becoming a trade chip) surfaced to start draft week. Liam Coen also is believed to be high on this wide receiver class, Schefter adds, making a Tetairoa McMillan–Mike Evans connection re: the one-and-done Buccaneers OC. The Jags did plenty of retooling at the position this offseason, which would stand to keep them in play for an early-round WR — in a class most do not hold in high regard — to complement Brian Thomas Jr.

Graham likely would not fall too far, especially with teams not exactly clamoring to move into the top 10 for one of this draft’s non-Cam Ward QB options. Here is the latest from the draft:

If the Raiders‘ Jeanty aspirations do not come to fruition, SI.com’s Albert Breer notes that an O-line move would likely be in play. Missouri’s Armand Membou and Texas’ Kelvin Banks Jr. could be in play, per Breer, especially with seven-year left tackle Kolton Miller pursuing a new contract. (The Raiders hosted Banks on a “30” visit recently.) Even if Miller has a case for a raise, he was drafted a few regimes ago — even before Mike Mayock joined Jon Gruden — and could be a candidate to be replaced if the Raiders’ new power structure is displeased with his tactics. The Raiders used 2024 third-rounder DJ Glaze as their primary RT in 2024.
The Cardinals will also be a team to watch for an early O-line investment. They are believed to be focusing on adding a guard, ESPN.com’s Josh Weinfuss notes. The team re-signed left guard starter Evan Brown to a modest deal (two years, $11.5MM) but have a question at RG. Although Brown re-signing gives Arizona four returning O-line starters, the team may view the NFC nomad as a stopgap. That view would leave two guard holes to fill, though the Cards did use a third-round pick on a guard (Isaiah Adams) last year. More help appears to be desired, though.
Linked to bolstering their defense at No. 8 overall, the Panthers also are interested in acquiring more picks. They appear willing to use their top choice to do so, and Breer said during a radio interview (via Cleveland’s 92.3 The Fan) the team would be willing to take a lesser offer for No. 8 to obtain more picks. The Panthers traded a second-round pick to the Bears (the last asset to be exchanged in the Bryce Young swap) but did pick up one from the Rams (in the Braden Fiske exchange) last year. Carolina also holds two fourth-round picks, the second coming from Dallas for Jonathan Mingo.
Graham college teammate Kenneth Grant is come up as a potential Florida-bound prospect, with Breer adding the stout D-tackle is believed to be drawing extensive interest from a Dolphins team doing a lot of DT work. Miami lost Christian Wilkins last year and did not spend much to replace him then or during this free agency period. Although cornerback is certainly a position of need in Miami — if/once the team trades Jalen Ramsey — the D-line appears a place to monitor in Round 1.
Despite rostering D.J. Reader and extending Alim McNeill, the Lions look to join the Dolphins in seeking interior D-line aid. Reader, though, will turn 31 in July while McNeill is coming off an ACL tear. Levi Onwuzurike also signed a one-year deal in March. Although the Lions still need an Aidan Hutchinson wingman, Breer hears more about their interesting in bolstering their D-line via a deep class.

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