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.