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