Who Should I Start? Brian Thomas Jr. or Tetairoa McMillan

Wednesday, January 29, 1:05 PM

After an impressive rookie season for Jacksonville Jaguars wide receiver Brian Thomas Jr. in 2024, new head coach Liam Coen is confident that the team can run things through Thomas again in 2025. Thomas set rookie franchise marks in catches (87), receiving yards (1,282) and touchdowns (10) to earn Pro Bowl and All-AFC honors. He's also a finalist for Rookie of the Year. Jacksonville relied more on Thomas after injuries to Christian Kirk, Gabe Davis and Evan Engram, and he delivered. Coen was impressed with the work that the 22-year-old did out of the slot. The Jaguars are going to build around quarterback Trevor Lawrence with Coen now the head coach, but Thomas is going to be a primary weapon after finishing third in the NFL in receiving yards in 2024. And with Coen running Jacksonville's offense now, Thomas is going to be drafted as a surefire WR1 in fantasy drafts this fall.

Tuesday, April 29, 1:32 PM

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.