The Carolina Panthers have made strategic moves in the draft, adding a mix of talent to strengthen both their offense and defense. In this Panthers 2025 Draft Mid-Season Review: Successes, Surprises, and Rookie Standouts, we break down all of their 2025 selections. From first-round stars to late-round sleepers, let’s highlight who has exceeded expectations and who still has room to grow.
Panthers 2025 Draft Mid-Season Review: Successes, Surprises, and Rookie Standouts
Tetairoa McMillan – Wide Receiver (Round 1, Pick 8)
In my opinion, McMillan is a frontrunner for Offensive Rookie of the Year. He has quickly emerged as a focal point of the Panthers’ passing game. Known for his precise route-running and ability to make contested catches, he’s shown flashes of star potential. His consistency and production make him one of the top rookie receivers in the league, and the Panthers are clearly building around him in the passing attack.
Mid-Season Stats:
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Receptions: 54
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Receiving Yards: 748
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Yards per Reception: 13.9
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Receiving Touchdowns: 4
Successes: Explosiveness, route running, big-play ability
Room to Grow: Developing deeper chemistry with Bryce Young in varied game situations
Nic Scourton – Linebacker (Round 2, Pick 51)
Scourton brings athleticism and versatility to the linebacker corps. He has a nose for the ball and has made several key stops, showing potential as a core defensive piece. While still adjusting to the speed of the NFL, his football IQ and instincts are encouraging.
Mid-Season Stats:
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Tackles: 30
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Sacks: 3.0
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Forced Fumbles: 0
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Interceptions: 0
Successes: Tackling, football IQ, coverage skills
Room to Grow: Consistency in run defense and reading offensive schemes faster
Princely Umanmielen – EDGE (Round 3, Pick 77)
Umanmielen adds depth to the Panthers’ pass rush. He has the physical tools to disrupt opposing quarterbacks but is still developing consistency at the pro level. With proper coaching, he could become a key rotational player.
Mid-Season Stats:
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Tackles: 13
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Sacks: 1.5
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Forced Fumbles: 0
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Interceptions: 0
Successes: Strength, pass-rush potential, physicality
Room to Grow: Consistency and technique refinement
Trevor Etienne – Running Back (Round 4, Pick 114)
Etienne adds speed and balance to the Panthers’ backfield. Known for his agility and vision, he can break big plays both inside and outside the tackles. While still learning to handle a larger NFL workload, his explosiveness makes him a dangerous weapon in both the running and passing games.
Mid-Season Stats:
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Rushing Attempts: 20
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Rushing Yards: 94
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Yards per Attempt: 4.7
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Rushing Touchdowns: 0
Successes: Agility, big-play potential, vision
Room to Grow: Durability and pass protection skills
Lathan Ransom – Safety (Round 4, Pick 122)
Ransom brings athleticism and range to the secondary. He shows promise in coverage and run support, and could develop into a versatile safety option for the Panthers.
Mid-Season Stats:
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Tackles: 29
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Sacks: 0
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Forced Fumbles: 1
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Interceptions: 0
Successes: Coverage ability, athleticism, football IQ
Room to Grow: Consistency and tackling technique
Cam Jackson – Defensive Tackle (Round 5, Pick 140)
Jackson adds depth to the defensive line. He’s strong and disruptive against the run, but still adjusting to the speed and technique of the NFL.
Mid-Season Stats:
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Tackles: 3
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Sacks: 0
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Forced Fumbles: 0
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Interceptions: 0
Successes: Run-stopping, strength, interior presence
Room to Grow: Pass-rush moves and consistency
Mitchell Evans – Tight End (Round 5, Pick 163)
Evans is showing potential as both a blocker and receiving option. While still developing his route tree, he’s made key plays in critical moments. His versatility could make him an important piece in the Panthers’ offensive schemes if he continues to progress.
Mid-Season Stats:
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Receptions: 11
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Receiving Yards: 118
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Yards per Reception: 10.7
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Receiving Touchdowns: 2
Successes: Blocking, versatility, situational awareness
Room to Grow: Route running and consistency as a receiving threat
Jimmy Horn Jr. – Wide Receiver (Round 6, Pick 208)
Horn Jr. provides depth at receiver and has been a reliable target when called upon. His agility and ability to create separation make him a strong complementary piece to McMillan. While he hasn’t made the highlight reels as often, his contributions are valuable for the Panthers’ passing attack.
Mid-Season Stats:
| Receiving | Rushing |
| Receptions: 6 | Carries: 7 |
| Targets: 10 | Rushing Yards: 44 |
| Receiving Yards: 66 | Yards per Carry: 6.3 |
| Yards per Reception: 11.0 | Touchdowns: 0 |
| Touchdowns: 0 | |
| First Downs: 2 |
Successes: Separation ability, reliable hands
Room to Grow: Explosiveness and red-zone impact
Overall Takeaway
The Panthers’ 2025 draft class delivers a mix of immediate contributors and high-upside talent. Tetairoa McMillan has been the standout, but players like Scourton, Umanmielen, Etienne, Ransom, Jackson, Evans, and Horn Jr. all show promising growth. With continued development, this draft class could play a major role in Carolina’s push toward playoff contention and a stronger team foundation for years to come.
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