Carolina Panthers rookie wide receiver Tetairoa McMillan enters his first NFL season as his team's clear number one option in the passing game. In the past week, Carolina has traded away veteran wideout Adam Thielen to the Minnesota Vikings and lost Jalen Coker (quad) to a quad injury, which should only increase McMillan's targets. The number eight overall pick has a favorable matchup on paper in his NFL regular-season debut against the Jacksonville Jaguars. In 2024, Jacksonville's defense ranked dead last in total receiving yards allowed (4,605) and 28th in total receiving touchdowns allowed (29). Additionally, Panthers quarterback Bryce Young finished 2024 by playing the best football of his career, throwing for 1,583 yards and 11 touchdowns over his final seven games. If Young can carry that momentum to 2025, McMillan could get his season off to a strong start. He should be viewed as a low-end fantasy WR2 in Week 1.
Sep 2, 2025 12:08 PM EST
The Carolina Panthers are wasting no time elevating rookie wideout Tetairoa McMillan, especially after trading veteran Adam Thielen back to Minnesota. McMillan, the No. 8 overall pick, offers size, athleticism, and big-play ability, and his role as Bryce Young's top target appears to be taking shape quickly. Young showed steady growth and confidence in the second half of 2024, and Carolina is betting that pairing him with a youthful duo of McMillan and Xavier Legette will accelerate the offense's development. With Thielen gone, McMillan is primed to shine as a focal point in 2025 and could be a breakout candidate in fantasy.
Aug 28, 2025 10:55 PM EST
Carolina Panthers rookie first-round wide receiver Tetairoa McMillan (hamstring) returned to practice on Tuesday after missing some time last week with a minor hamstring issue, according to Joe Person of The Athletic. It's great news for the 22-year-old pass-catcher out of Arizona, as he should be just fine to begin his first year in the NFL with a Week 1 meeting against the Jacksonville Jaguars on Sunday, Sept. 7. McMillan appeared to be the real deal during training camp this summer and already seems to have a pretty good connection with quarterback Bryce Young. The eighth overall pick could easily lead the Panthers receivers in catches, targets and yardage in his first season in the league, especially if Carolina trades veteran Adam Thielen. If Young continues to improve after a strong second half in 2024, McMillan absolutely could function as a strong WR2 in fantasy.
Aug 26, 2025 6:11 PM EST
Carolina Panthers rookie first-round wide receiver Tetairoa McMillan (hamstring) was held out of practice on Monday and Tuesday of this week as a precaution due to a minor hamstring injury, and he also did not suit up for the preseason finale against the Pittsburgh Steelers on Thursday. Imaging on McMillan's hamstring came back clean, and head coach Dave Canales wasn't concerned when asked when the rookie wideout might return. With another full week before the start of the regular season, the 22-year-old should be ready to roll for his NFL debut in Week 1 versus the Jacksonville Jaguars on Sunday, Sept. 7. Canales chalked up McMillan's hamstring soreness to his high activity during training camp this summer. If fully healthy, McMillan could operate as quarterback Bryce Young's favorite target this year, putting him in play as a WR2 in fantasy drafts.
Aug 24, 2025 1:11 PM EST
Carolina Panthers rookie wide receiver Tetairoa McMillan (hamstring) was "working off to the side with no pads" during the team's practice on Tuesday, according to Alex Zietlow of The Charlotte Observer. McMillan is reportedly dealing with a minor hamstring injury that could keep him out of the team's final preseason game against the Pittsburgh Steelers on Thursday. Assuming McMillan is healthy for the start of the regular season, he has a good chance to emerge as the clear number one target in Carolina right away. He profiles as a low-end WR2 in fantasy with significant upside.
Aug 19, 2025 11:19 AM EST
Carolina Panthers rookie wide receiver Tetairoa McMillan (hamstring) did not practice Monday while resting a "minor" injury, according to team officials. The first-round pick is expected to play a major role right away in Carolina's offense and has already developed a strong connection with quarterback Bryce Young during camp. McMillan's combination of size and athleticism gives him immediate fantasy appeal as one of the top rookie wideouts in 2025 drafts. While the team doesn't appear overly concerned, fantasy managers should keep an eye on his health status leading into Week 1.
Aug 18, 2025 2:49 PM EST
Carolina Panthers first-round draft pick Tetairoa McMillan caught two of five targets for 43 yards in his first NFL action in Friday's 30-10 loss to the Cleveland Browns. McMillan hauled in a 30-yard deep ball from starting quarterback Bryce Young, but unfortunately dropped an open touchdown. He was targeted on three of Young's six pass attempts, suggesting that his target share could be ranked among some of the best receivers in the NFL. Young was looking McMillan's way early and often, and their chemistry should improve throughout the season. The next chance we will get to see McMillan in action is next Saturday afternoon against the Houston Texans.
Aug 9, 2025 3:10 PM EST
Carolina Panthers rookie first-round wide receiver Tetairoa McMillan is the team's standout performer at training camp so far, in the opinion of ESPN's David Newton. He goes on to write that McMillan has had up-and-down moments, but he's also "shown flashes of greatness" that wasn't available to young quarterback Bryce Young in 2024. Newton believes that the wideout from Arizona will make a big and immediate impact in the offense in his first year in the NFL, which is why Carolina took him eighth overall in April. When Young and the offense were struggling in a joint practice on Wednesday, Young seemed to find McMillan for a big completion. "I love the chemistry that they're developing," head coach Dave Canales said. "Especially down the field. Bryce has been giving T-Mac a lot of opportunities." McMillan is a pure WR2/3 upside target in fantasy.
Aug 6, 2025 6:51 PM EST
The early returns on Carolina Panthers rookie first-round wide receiver Tetairoa McMillan have "been glowing," a Panthers source told FOX Sports' Jordan Schultz. "He's been even better than advertised -- smooth, explosive, and already gaining trust from the QBs. You can't take your eyes off him at practice because he's making so many big plays." McMillan dealt with a minor leg injury in minicamp but is full-go now and is looking great after the Panthers took him eighth overall in April's NFL draft. The 22-year-old will be the team's X receiver right away as he looks to become one of quarterback Bryce Young's favorite target right away. McMillan will be competing for targets with Xavier Legette and veteran Adam Thielen. If Young takes another step forward in Year 3, McMillan could be a bargain with WR2 upside in the middle rounds of fantasy drafts.
Jul 31, 2025 1:09 PM EST
According to Carolina Panthers head coach Dave Canales, wide receiver Tetairoa McMillan will have a pivotal role right away. "He's going to get targeted a lot," said Canales during a recent practice. "He's going to be a big part of what we do. We're going to challenge him." The 2025 No. 8 overall pick is coming off back-to-back 1,000-yard receiving seasons with the Arizona Wildcats, so it's apparent he has plenty of talent. However, McMillan may not be as impactful for fantasy managers if Bryce Young doesn't show signs of growth throughout the 2025 campaign after two underwhelming seasons in the National Football League. With that in mind, McMillan still commands attention in redraft formats while being a top-five option in rookie drafts.
Jul 26, 2025 8:30 PM EST
Carolina Panthers rookie first-round wide receiver Tetairoa McMillan (leg) has been taking part in team drills during minicamp this week, per Joe Person of The Athletic. There's nothing to worry about with McMillan physically after he missed some time in minicamp with a leg injury. The Panthers drafted McMillan with the eighth overall pick in April's draft, so the 22-year-old from Arizona figures to have a pretty big role right away in his rookie campaign. Not many people expect a ton from the Panthers offense, but if quarterback Bryce Young builds on the end of his second year in the NFL, McMillan could be a nice little value pick as a WR3/flex in fantasy. There have been rumors of potential laziness from McMillan from his days in college, but he was extremely productive in college and has ideal size (6-foot-4, 219 pounds).
Jul 25, 2025 3:06 PM EST
Carolina Panthers wide receiver Tetairoa McMillan has looked like a player deserving of the No. 8 overall pick so far in his first NFL offseason, according to the team's ESPN reporter, David Newton. "Beyond being held out of two mandatory practices as a precaution after a collision the previous day, McMillan has been as advertised," Newton said. "He has made everyone around him better because he can play every receiver spot. He has created competition at receiver, something that wasn't there a year ago. His presence has benefited 2024 first-round pick Xavier Legette, who believes he and McMillan double the problems for defenses." McMillan was excellent in his final two collegiate seasons at Arizona, catching 174 passes for 2,721 yards and 18 touchdowns in 25 games. He is expected to immediately become Bryce Young's WR1 in what could be one of the most improved offenses in the NFL under Year-2 head coach Dave Canales. The target completion in Carolina is not worrisome for T-Mac, so he has a clear path to paying off at his low-end WR3 pricetag in 2025.
Jun 24, 2025 2:20 PM EST
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.
Jun 12, 2025 12:34 PM EST
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.
Jun 11, 2025 3:52 PM EST
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.
Jun 2, 2025 12:22 PM EST
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.
May 8, 2025 10:59 PM EST
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.
Apr 29, 2025 1:32 PM EST
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