Who Should I Start? Terry McLaurin or Tetairoa McMillan

Wednesday, May 28, 10:08 PM

Washington Commanders wide receiver Terry McLaurin was absent for voluntary organized team activities this week, according to The Washington Post's Nicki Jhabvala. The All-Pro wideout had been a full participant previously but is entering the final year of his three-year, $68.2 million contract that he signed in 2022. The 29-year-old is coming off a huge season in 2024 in which he caught 82 passes for 1,096 yards and 13 touchdowns in 17 regular-season games, so he's most likely angling for a new contract. General manager Adam Peters said in March that the organization would likely to work something out with McLaurin before the start of the 2025 regular season, but it remains to be seen if it will actually happen. TD regression is expected for McLaurin, and Deebo Samuel Sr. will take some targets away, but he will be a fine WR2 target going into fantasy drafts this fall.

Thursday, May 8, 10:59 PM

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.