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With the eighth pick in the 2025 NFL Draft, the Carolina Panthers made a bold move that shook up the board, and at least one Cowboys star. Tetairoa McMillan, the standout wide receiver from Arizona, became the first full-time wideout taken on Thursday night, landing in Charlotte as a new weapon for quarterback Bryce Young.
The decision sparked an immediate reaction from Dallas Cowboys linebacker Micah Parsons, who was caught on a Bleacher Report livestream visibly frustrated. "That was supposed to be our pick," he said, lamenting the missed opportunity to pair McMillan with CeeDee Lamb.
Cowboys pivot to Plan B
Dallas, selecting four picks later at No. 12, opted for Alabama offensive guard Tyler Booker, a solid choice, but clearly not their first hope. Parsons' reaction made it obvious that the Cowboys were eyeing McMillan to bolster a wide receiver group that's currently shallow behind Lamb. With Jalen Tolbert and Jonathan Mingo next in line, the urgency for Dallas to add depth at the position is only growing.
The Cowboys may look to Day 2 of the draft for reinforcements, especially given the depth of this year's receiving class. But missing out on McMillan, who was widely viewed as a top-10 talent and potential WR1, stings for a team hoping to elevate its offense.
McMillan's fit in Carolina
Standing 6-foot-4 and weighing 219 pounds, McMillan offers the Panthers a true X-receiver, big-bodied, tough in traffic, and polished as a route-runner. He broke Arizona records and earned All-America honors in 2024, making him a natural fit for a Panthers offense that finished 30th in ing yards last season.
With Adam Thielen and Xavier Legette returning, McMillan adds youth and upside to a group in desperate need of both. His speed may not be elite, but his ability to win contested catches and move the chains makes him an ideal target for Bryce Young.
Parsons speaks for many Cowboys fans
While McMillan heads to Carolina with a clear path to impact, Cowboys fans are left wondering what could've been. Parsons' raw, unfiltered disappointment wasn't just entertainment, it was a reflection of a missed opportunity that Dallas may feel for years to come.