Carolina Panthers rookie first-round wide receiver Tetairoa McMillan (leg) is sitting out of practice for a second straight day on Thursday on the final day of mandatory minicamp, according to ESPN's David Newton. McMillan was involved in a collision with a teammate in practice on Tuesday, and his le took a shot. It's purely precautionary, and the 22-year-old should be just fine for training camp at the end of July. The 6-foot-4, 219-pounder should be an immediate starter in three-wide sets in Carolina alongside Adam Thielen and either Xavier Legette or Jalen Coker. He's not extremely fast, but his size should make him an immediate downfield threat for young quarterback Bryce Young. If Young can continue to build on what he showed in the second half of last year, McMillan could have a fine rookie season in 2025. Draft him as a WR3/flex this fall.
Mike Kaye of The Charlotte Observer notes that Carolina Panthers rookie wide receiver Tetairoa McMillan (leg) is sidelined for Wednesday's practice due to precautionary reasons. Carolina's No. 8 overall pick in April's draft reportedly collided with a defensive back near the end of Tuesday's session. Per head coach Dave Canales, the Arizona product could return for Thursday's final practice. McMillan was superb over his final two seasons as a Wildcat, posting 174 receptions, 2,721 yards, and 18 touchdowns, and makes Carolina's offense all the more exciting ahead of the 2025 season. The 22-year-old should eventually evolve into quarterback Bryce Young's go-to target, and figures to be an intriguing asset this season in fantasy if Young can sustain the gains he exhibited late last year.
Rams Wire's Cameron DaSilva reports that the Los Angeles Rams tried to trade up in the first round of April's NFL draft to take wide receiver Tetairoa McMillan, who ultimately was taken by the Carolina Panthers at No. 8 overall. A trade never materialized for the Rams, and they ended up trading back to No. 46 overall and out of the first round entirely. DaSilva writes that the Panthers entertained offers for the pick for teams looking at McMillan, but they were never serious about giving up the pick unless they received a king's ransom. L.A. likely would have had to give up their No. 26 pick, a future first-rounder and likely one of their third-round picks. Instead, the Rams acquired a 2026 first-rounder in their trade back with Atlanta. The Rams only took one receiver in the draft, Konata Mumpfield, in the seventh round out of Akron.
The Carolina Panthers have signed rookie first-round wide receiver Tetairoa McMillan to a four-year, $27.93 million contract. McMillan was the first receiver selected in April's draft, chosen No. 8 overall by Carolina. The hulking pass-catcher (6-foot-4) will reportedly operate as the team's X receiver with veteran Adam Thielen manning the slot and Xavier Legette rounding out the corps at the Z. It's a natural fit for the Arizona product, as his frame and metrics support the position. He was excellent during his final two seasons at college, amassing 174 receptions, 2,721 yards, and 18 touchdowns, and projects to slot in as a high-volume target for quarterback Bryce Young. McMillan is a superb selection early in rookie drafts, and could garner appeal in redraft leagues if Young's improvements from the tail end of 2024 stick.
Tetairoa McMillan Likely To Man The X Spot For Panthers
Carolina Panthers first-round rookie wide receiver Tetairoa McMillan is likely to man the X spot and be an immediate fixture of the Panthers' offense in 2025, according to The Charlotte Observer's Mike Kaye. Xavier Legette, who has more speed, will work out of the Z position, while veteran Adam Thielen will primarily work out of the slot. Despite their immediate roles, Kaye also believes the three wideouts will get the chance to move around the formation. Jalen Coker and David Moore will be the primary backups on the outside. The Panthers took the 22-year-old McMillan with the eighth overall pick to give young quarterback Bryce Young another weapon. It would be good news for McMillan if he could work some out of the slot as well, as he was one of the best slot wideouts in college last year at Arizona. McMillan has plenty of downfield, contested-catch ability, but he could struggle to gain separation in the NFL.
Bryce Young Wanted Panthers To Take Tetairoa McMillan
Carolina Panthers rookie wide receiver Tetairoa McMillan said that quarterback Bryce Young told head coach Dave Canales and general manager Dan Morgan that the team needed to draft him. Young vouched for McMillan, and the Panthers listed and selected the 22-year-old Arizona product with the eighth overall pick of the 2025 NFL draft on Thursday night. The 6-foot-4 pass-catcher excels on contested catches down the field and should immediately be a starter in three-wide sets for the team in 2025 next to Xavier Legette and veteran Adam Thielen. McMillan will give Young a wide catch radius, but there are questions about how much separation he will be able to get on a consistent basis at the next level. If it's true that Young was adamant about the team drafting McMillan, the two could quickly form a strong connection that helps McMillan become fantasy relevant in Year 1.
Panthers Select Tetairoa McMillan At No. 8 Overall In NFL Draft
The Carolina Panthers selected Arizona wide receiver Tetairoa McMillan with the No. 8 overall pick in the 2025 NFL draft on Thursday night. McMillan is a big-play receiver that has drawn comparisons to Tampa Bay Buccaneers wideout Mike Evans, who is a future Hall of Famer. He has the ability to make the contested catches down the field, which will be a big plus for developing young quarterback Bryce Young as he looks to take the next step in Year 3. McMillan has a big catch radius like Evans, but the question at the NFL level will become whether the former Wildcat can create consistent separation from cornerbacks. In Carolina, he'll add to the Panthers receiver depth and should slot in at least as the team's No. 3 behind Xavier Legette and veteran Adam Thielen. McMillan has the ability to play inside as well. He could be a strong wideout for years to come, but for fantasy, it's not the greatest landing spot for 2025.
ESPN NFL draft analyst Todd McShay has Arizona wide receiver Tetairoa McMillan ranked as the 50th overall prospect on his draft board this year due to concerns about his effort, saying that he quit on over-the-middle targets and didn't work hard enough with the Sun Devils. McMillan still managed to produce 1,319 receiving yards and eight touchdowns at Arizona in his final collegiate season in 2024 and is considered by many to be one of the top prospects at the receiver position heading into this week's draft. Teams like the New England Patriots, New Orleans Saints and Dallas Cowboys could surely use a talent like McMillan in their offense. The Patriots have the fourth overall pick in the first round on Thursday night, while the Saints sit at No. 9, and the Cowboys have the No. 12 overall selection. Depending on where McMillan lands, he could make an immediate fantasy impact in 2025.
Former Arizona Wildcats wide receiver Tetairoa McMillan participated in his pro day on Monday and was clocked at a 4.48 for his 40-yard dash. FOX Sports' Jordan Schultz reported the news. Schultz also noted that 24 NFL teams were in attendance. McMillan is widely considered the top wideout prospect in this year's draft class. Standing at 6-foot-4 and 219lbs, the 21-year-old was stellar in his last two collegiate seasons, racking up 174 receptions and 2,721 receiving yards with 18 scores. McMillan has size, speed, and a reliable set of hands. He's been mocked to a few intriguing spots, including the Jacksonville Jaguars at fifth overall and the Dallas Cowboys, who currently hold the twelfth overall pick. Across three seasons with Arizona, he averaged 92.5 yards per game.
The Athletic's Dane Brugler reports that University of Arizona wide receiver Tetairoa McMillan will not do any workouts for scouts at the NFL Combine this weekend in Indianapolis. McMillan apparently is dealing with an undisclosed injury that he suffered recently, which would make sense why he'd be skipping on-field workouts at the Combine. "He got hurt in the spring and I don't know that he ever made it back to 100 percent. The 2023 tape gives you a better idea of who he is," according to an AFC scouting director. The 21-year-old is a possession receiver with the size (6-foot-5, 210 pounds) and ball skills to succeed as a downfield threat at the next level. While McMillan should easily be a first-round selection in this year's NFL draft, he could struggle with physical cornerbacks and might not be a huge asset in run-after-the-catch production.
Tetairoa McMillan
• WR
•
Panthers
