Panthers Finally Pair Bryce Young With Elite WR in Latest Mock Draft

The Carolina Panthers have been a feel-good story in recent weeks. They are a more relevant and competitive team than they have been while already doubling their win total from a season ago. Dave Canales looks like he could be the head coach of the future for this team, and Bryce Young has shown flashes of what he can do in this league.

Even though Panthers fans are feeling better about the future of the franchise, there is still plenty of work that needs to be done. The Panthers are the 26th-best offense in the league and dead last on the defensive side of the ball. They are last in Pro Football Focus' rankings in pass rush and run defense.

Despite their defensive deficiencies, the Panthers may need to focus on their offensive weaknesses first. That requires them to add another playmaker next to Bryce Young. That is exactly what NFL draft expert Kyle Crabbs did in his latest mock for 33rd Team. With the seventh-overall pick, the Panthers are projected to take Arizona wideout Tetairoa McMillan.

"Tetairoa McMillan boasts another massive catch radius to go alongside Xavier Legette and give Carolina a young nucleus of passing talent that can win down the field or across the middle."

- Kyle Crabbs, NFL Draft Lead

As Crabbs points out, the Panthers already invested in their offensive line in the 2024 offseason. It's time to invest their resources in offensive weapons this time around.

McMillan is considered one of the best wide receivers in the country, putting up 1,319 yards and eight touchdowns in his consensus All-American junior season.

The Panthers have Xavier Legette and Jalen Coker as long-term pieces in their rotation, and adding one more dangerous pass-catcher could take their offense to the next level.

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