Panthers just drafted their own Mike Evans to torment the Buccaneers defense

For weeks, Tampa Bay Buccaneers fans have been focused on who their team might select in the NFL Draft. But while all eyes were on the Bucs’ draft strategy, one major development came from a division rival — and it could spell trouble.

On Thursday night, the Carolina Panthers used the No. 8 overall pick to select Arizona wide receiver Tetairoa McMillan, giving second-year quarterback Bryce Young a serious offensive weapon. The frustrating part for Buccaneers fans? McMillan is already drawing strong comparisons to none other than Bucs legend Mike Evans.

Before the pick was officially made, CBS Sports’ Jonathan Jones hinted at the Panthers’ intentions, referencing how often Carolina has seen Mike Evans dominate over the years. That comparison was echoed by McMillan’s former college coach and others throughout draft season.

There’s no denying McMillan’s talent — his college tape shows a big-bodied, physical receiver who dominates in similar fashion to Evans. And now, he’s in the NFC South.

While it’s early to throw around Hall of Fame comparisons, the bigger concern is how Tampa Bay’s already thin secondary will deal with him. With limited depth behind Zyon McCollum and Jamel Dean, adding a high-caliber receiver like McMillan to the division creates a real matchup problem.

The Panthers may have just added a game-changer — and the Bucs will be the first to feel the pressure.