Who Should I Start? Tetairoa McMillan or Emeka Egbuka

Tuesday, September 2, 12:08 PM

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.

Thursday, September 4, 12:51 PM

Dan Graziano of ESPN says that he's drafting Tampa Bay Buccaneers rookie wide receiver Emeka Egbuka "everywhere I can." Not only did Tampa fall in love with the former Ohio State star before taking him in the first round, but they've "grown to covet him even more since" and "believe he can play any of the wide receiver positions in their offense." In addition to all that, Chris Godwin (ankle) has yet to practice after dislocating his ankle in Week 7 of last year, and Jalen McMillan (neck) could miss around half the year. Graziano says to expect the Bucs to use Egbuka "in the slot and on the outside as needed." In a pass-happy offense, the 22-year-old pass-catcher could be targeted heavily early on behind WR1 Mike Evans. And the good news for those that took Egbuka in their drafts is that he should remain involved once Godwin and McMillan return, whenever that may be.