Carolina Panthers president of football operations and general manager Dan Morgan never got the trade he said he was looking for on the opening night of the 2025 NFL draft. But according to a league insider, he had his chance.
While running through his recent takeaways following this year’s selection process, Albert Breer of Sports Illustrated noted that the San Francisco 49ers—in their pursuit of Georgia edge rusher Mykel Williams—were looking to jump the New Orleans Saints in the first-round queue. And to get ahead of the Saints and the ninth overall spot, the Niners were targeting the eighth overall selection—which, of course, was held by the Panthers.
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Here’s what Breer wrote:
So this guy [Williams] who was ID’d as a future No. 1 overall pick when he flashed as a true freshman on a national title team might have a shot to become that type of player. The Niners’ feelings on that were pretty clear when they tried to do a deal with the Carolina Panthers at No. 8, and jump the New Orleans Saints, who were said to be smitten with Williams, to get him.
Well, the Panthers obviously did not bite on a deal—perhaps proving that they themselves were smitten with a prospect of their own.
Instead of moving back, Carolina stayed put at No. 8 and selected Arizona wide receiver Tetairoa McMillan. As stated by Morgan and head coach Dave Canales shortly after the decision, McMillan was looked at as their “guy,” even despite their supposed interest in trading down.
Luckily for the 49ers, the Saints weren’t that smitten with Williams—as they settled on Texas offensive lineman Kelvin Banks at No. 9. That left Williams, following the Chicago Bears‘ choice of Michigan tight end Colston Loveland at No. 10, to the 49ers at No. 11.
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So, it seems everyone got their guy.
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This article originally appeared on Panthers Wire: 2025 NFL draft: 49ers tried to trade up with Panthers for No. 8 pick