It wasn't long ago where it felt like Bryce Young's tenure in Carolina was over before it ever really got started. After the first two games of the 2024 season, Young was benched in favor of veteran Andy Dalton.
Young got a second chance with the Panthers a little over a month later following a Dalton injury. He made the most of it by flashing the promise that made him the No. 1 overall pick two years ago. Young finished the season on a high note, leading the Panthers to wins in two of their last three games while throwing seven touchdown passes with zero interceptions. He added three touchdowns on the ground for good measure.
Young solidified himself as the franchise guy in Carolina. If the Panthers want him to take an even bigger step in year three, they need to surround him with talent. Carolina took a big step toward that in the 1st Round of the NFL Draft on Thursday night.
With the 8th pick, the Panthers selected Arizona WR Tetairoa McMillan, a dynamic pass-catcher who produced over 2700 receiving yards and 18 touchdowns in his final two seasons with the Wildcats in Tucson.
At 6-foot-4 and 212 pounds, McMillan gives Young a big-bodied target who can line up on the outside or in the slot and make plays with the ball in his hands.
The Panthers are putting a strong young core around Bryce Young
Carolina didn't have a 1st Round pick a year ago thanks to trading up to select Young in 2023, but with their first selection, they did pick WR Xavier Legette from South Carolina. He struggled with drops, but did consistently get open and has the potential to develop into a good No. 2 option.
But drafting McMillan gives Young a potential No. 1, go-to option at WR that he has been missing. The leading receiver for the Panthers last year was soon-to-be 35-year-old Adam Thielen. Adding some youth and talent to the WR room was a high priority for Carolina, and while they didn't make a splashy move in free agency, they spent a premium draft pick to pair McMillan with Young and build toward being a legitimate contender in the NFC South.
There's still more to be done in Carolina, but this is a big step forward for the Panthers and should help Young have an even bigger breakout season in 2025.