Who Should I Start? Puka Nacua or Tetairoa McMillan

Wednesday, January 7, 2:13 PM

Los Angeles Rams wide receiver Puka Nacua finished the 2025 season as the WR1 in full-PPR formats, and he should be viewed through a similar lens in all fantasy playoff leagues. Nacua is RotoBaller's WR1 for Wild Card Weekend, and with the Rams sitting as a double-digit favorite over the Panthers, he's as safe a bet as any to see multiple starting opportunities in leagues with cumulative scoring. Carolina has been a top-8 fantasy defense in terms of limiting opposing wide receivers, but Nacua has faced two other top-8 defenses over the past three weeks in the Seahawks and Cardinals, totaling 22 receptions, 301 yards, and three touchdowns across those two games. With Davante Adams also trending in the right direction, Nacua should face softer coverages while staying right in line for a target share north of 30 percent.

Wednesday, January 7, 9:45 AM

Carolina Panthers rookie wide receiver Tetairoa McMillan had a fantastic rookie NFL season, with 1,014 receiving yards and 70 receptions on 122 targets. He also scored seven touchdowns and finished as the WR15 on the season. McMillan clearly established himself as the alpha wide receiver for the Panthers over Xavier Legette and Jalen Coker. McMillan's inconsistencies in 2025 were largely due to third-year quarterback Bryce Young, who was very inconsistent throughout the season. Additionally, for those playing in playoff fantasy leagues, according to Novig, the Panthers have the worst odds (+6150) to win the NFC and are viewed as a guaranteed one-and-done in the playoffs after winning the NFC South with a sub-.500 record at 8-9. Now, this is the NFL, and anything can happen, but it may be smart to stay away from any Panthers players, even McMillan, who is clearly the best fantasy asset to own on this team. That being said, the matchup for him in the Wild Card round against the Los Angeles Rams is a good one, as the Rams have been vulnerable to the wide receiver position in the second half of the season. McMillan should have a good game in the first round.