By Mike Farrell
1. WR Tetairoa McMillan, Pick #8 Carolina Panthers
Tet McMillan saw immediate playing time as a freshman at Arizona and became a starter as a sophomore in 2023. He had 90 receptions for 1,402 yards and 10 touchdowns, which earned him second-team All-Pac-12 honors. In 2024, McMillan had 84 receptions for 1,319 yards, 8 touchdowns and was named a consensus AP All-American.
The Carolina Panthers took McMillan with the eighth pick in the draft. Besides Travis Hunter, no other wide receiver was expected to go off the board in the top ten. The Panthers finished last in points and yards allowed last season, and could have used this pick to get an edge rusher or defensive back.
2. DT Kenneth Grant, Pick #13 Miami Dolphins
Kenneth Grant played in all 15 games at Michigan in 2023, with 29 tackles, 3.5 sacks, and was named second-team All-Big Ten as a sophomore. He started all 12 games in 2024, recording 32 tackles and three sacks. Grant was named second-team All-Big Ten and third-team All-American.
The Dolphins had needs on the lines on both sides of the ball and took Grant at pick 13. There is a need at cornerback with Jalen Ramsey possibly leaving Miami. There were higher-value players available at the time of this pick, especially at edge rusher and cornerback.
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3. EDGE Shemar Stewart, Pick #17 Cincinnati Bengals
Shemar Stewart played in all 25 games in his first two seasons at Texas A&M with seven starts. He had 34 tackles and three sacks. He for the Aggies in 2024 with 31 tackles and 1.5 sacks. Stewart was named third-team All-SEC last season.
Shemar Stewart was the #17 pick by the Cincinnati Bengals. The Bengals needed help at every level of their defense. There was underwhelming production from Stewart in 2024 with 31 tackles and 1.5 sacks. James Pearce Jr. was available at the time of this pick and was a higher value pick than Stewart.
4. WR Emeka Egbuka, Pick #19 Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Emeka Egbuka had 74 receptions for 1,151 yards and 10 touchdowns as a sophomore for Ohio State in 2022. He missed three games in 2023 and was slowed by an ankle injury. He rebounded in 2024 with 81 receptions, over 1,000 yards, and 10 touchdowns, helping lead the Buckeyes to the national championship.
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers had needs all over the defense and the offensive line, but decided to go with a wide receiver in Egbuka at #19. His lack of top speed makes this too high of a pick for him. Luther Burton II was available and a higher-rated receiver prospect.
5. WR Matthew Golden, Pick #23 Green Bay Packers
Matthew Golden began his college career with two seasons at Houston. He had almost 1,000 yards receiving and returned two kickoffs for touchdowns for the Cougars. Golden transferred to Texas for the 2024 season. He had 58 receptions and led the Longhorns with 987 yards receiving and 9 touchdowns.
The Green Bay Packers hadn’t drafted a receiver in the first round since 2002, but that changed this year when they took Golden with the 23rd pick. The Packers had other needs at cornerback, defensive tackle, and edge rusher, with highly-rated players at those positions still available.
