Carolina Panthers rookie wide receiver Tetairoa McMillan has been one of the main reasons the team is positioned to take the NFC South in 2025. As a top target for third-year quarterback Bryce Young, could the No. 8 overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft take home the NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year award?
If he does, it will be the first time a non-quarterback has taken home the honors since 2022 when New York Jets wide receiver Garrett Wilson took home the honors.
In fact, there has only been five wide receivers to take home the honors since 2000. That list includes Wilson along with Ja’Marr Chase, Odell Beckham Jr., and Anquan Boldin. That’s some great company for McMillan who has proved to be the best receiver in the draft living up to the size, catch radius, route running and yards after the catch (YAC) he was noted for entering the draft.
In the Panthers’ offense, McMillan has been sparkling with his ability to snag catches out of the air. In utilizing his 6-foot-4, 219-pound flame, the outstanding rookie receiver has not only positioned himself as a tough player to cover for defenders, but the top candidate for the Offensive Rookie of the Year honors receiving high accolades from around the league.
Tetairoa McMillan is the top rookie of the 2025 NFL Draft class
NFL Network insider Tom Pelissero polled 30 NFL executives from around the league and McMillan was the overall favorite with 17 of the 30 votes, coming in over early season favorites Tyler Warren and Emeka Egbuka.
Pelissero writes:
“The No. 8 overall pick in April's draft, McMillan was the runaway winner here with 17 votes. He leads all rookies with 924 receiving yards, seven receiving touchdowns and 43 receptions of 10-plus yards; his 65 total catches rank third among first-year pros. And while some rookies hit the proverbial wall, "T-Mac" just seems to be getting better -- he has five touchdowns in the Panthers' past five games as they've surged into the NFC South lead.”
If the Panthers are to secure their first playoff appearance in seven years, they will need McMillan to be that top target for Young that he has been all season. He will need to do it against a tough Seattle Seahawks team who are coming off a tough overtime loss to the Los Angeles Rams.
A look ahead at Week 17 vs. Seattle Seahawks:
A big game against the Seahawks would basically cement McMillan as the top offensive rookie in 2025. With Seattle ranked 16th in the league in receiving yards per game against perimeter wide receivers, Young is going to have to trust McMillan to go up and win those 50-50 balls either along the sideline or down-the-field like he has done all season long.
The Panthers could attempt to run the ball to keep Stafford and the Rams off the field, but ultimately, they are going to need to score points. A red zone option like McMillan could be the difference in this game, especially if he can break tackles and earn extra yardage. If McMillan has a big game, the Panther will have a good shot at upsetting the Seahawks at home.