Tetairoa McMillan is top wide receiver to drool over ahead of the 2025 NFL Draft

While the NFL gets to know top 2024 NFL Draft darlings like Marvin Harrison Jr., Malik Nabers and Rome Odunze, teams might want to get a head start on knowing the top names of the 2025 NFL Draft.  One name atop that list is Arizona Wildcats star playmaker Tetairoa McMillan.

Already named an Athlon Sports Preseason First-Team All-American, McMillan is coming off an exciting season for the Wildcats in 2023.  As a sophomore, he raked up the second-most receiving yards in school history with 1,402 while grabbing 90 receptions. 

That eye-opening performance will set him up to have a monster season in 2024.  If he does, he could leap in front of Missouri’s Luther Burden III as the top receiver prospect ahead of the 2025 NFL Draft.

2025 NFL Draft: Tetairoa McMillan has the tools to be top receiver drafted

As an outside receiver, McMillan is a huge target.  Standing at 6-foot-5, 2010 pounds, this Hawaii native has a large catch radius and route running skills that makes him a nightmare against opposing defenders.  What stands out about McMillan other than his great hands is his ability to adjust on off target throws.  McMillan’s catch radius, athleticism and strength is exactly why he is a top prospect going into the 2024 season.

McMillan also measures up against the elite receivers selected at the top of the 2024 NFL Draft as only Nabers and Odunze finished the 2023 season with more receiving yards.  As one of the top receivers to know ahead of the 2025 NFL Draft, PFF sums up what makes the Arizona Wildcats star intriguing.

PFF’s Max Chadwick writes:

“If you throw it McMillan’s way, there’s a very good chance he’ll come down with it. There are two main reasons for that. The first is that he presents a massive target to throw to at 6-foot-5, giving him a larger catch radius than anyone on this list. His 17 contested catches in 2023 were second among FBS receivers to only Rome Odunze. The second is that he also has excellent hands, finishing with the lowest drop rate among Power Five receivers with at least 100 targets this past season (2.1 percent).”

NFL teams who should be keeping an eye on Tetairoa McMillan

Based on NFL preseason projections, teams in need of a top wide receiver that could have a shot at drafting McMillan include the Carolina Panthers, New England Patriots, New Orleans Saints and Pittsburgh Steelers.  Out of the bunch, the Patriots and Steelers are intriguing landing spots for the project top 2025 NFL Draft wide receiver prospect.

If the Patriots are in position to land a player like McMillan, that could give Drake Maye a highly talented outside threat to get the ball to, a player who can use his large frame and catch radius to adjust to throws off target.  He would also give New England something their offense has been missing since the days of Randy Moss, an elite target opposing defenses would have to gameplan for.  If a team like the Steelers are in position to grab McMillan, it would mark another in a line of young receivers drafted by Pittsburgh who would bring solid production.

Obviously, things can change as prospects draft stock fluctuates and NFL team’s draft needs and position will shift on a week-to-week basis.  As of early summer, Tetairoa McMillan projects as a stud and a player NFL teams should be drooling over.