The Carolina Panthers are hoping they have added the perfect weapon for third-year quarterback Bryce Young with the selection of Tetairoa McMillan.
In taking McMillan with the No. 8 overall pick, the Panthers addressed one of their biggest needs at receiver. At 6-foot-4, 219 pounds, McMillan is a big target who won’t overwhelm defenses with his speed, but his big body and elite playmaking will make him a receiver to watch in the NFC South. He may even remind some of Tampa Bay Buccaneers veteran receiver Mike Evans.
As the clear No. 1 receiver entering the 2025 NFL Draft, the former Arizona star sizzled in the desert averaging 87 catches and 1,360.5 receiving yards and 9 touchdowns over the last two years. Can McMillan thrive in Carolina as the big cat catching the ball from Young? In an offense that also features 2024 NFL Draft first round pick Xavier Legette and veteran receiver Adam Thielen, the cards are in McMillan’s hands to be the top guy in an offense in search of consistency.
McMillan already earning his stripes in training camp
McMillan is entering the league as a top 10 talent, but stepping in immediately as a dominant playmaker in the NFL won’t be easily given the elite level of secondary defenders he will be facing. Fortunately, one of those elite defenders is on his team Pro Bowl corner Jaycee Horn who is giving McMillan the type of competition that should make him better once the season start.
In referencing the competition his rookie receiver is facing, Panthers head coach Dave Canales believes Horn’s competitive will prepare McMillan for what’s to come in the NFL.
“Jaycee’s just kind of owning his land, his territory right there in that situation,” Canales said, via the team’s official website. “Cutting off the deep ball is going to teach TMAC how to get in position, how to reduce his surface to try to get back on top, or do I need to stop and pop against a really big, strong, fast corner, as big and fast as they come. So, really brings out the heart of competition.”
Could McMillan challenge Christian McCaffrey’s rookie record?
Along with that competition Horn is providing, McMillan will also learn from a veteran receiver like Thielen who can help him learn NFL defenses and win battles with his height and positioning. In averaging over 80 catches the last two seasons at Arizona, McMillan won’t have to carry the offense like he did with the Wildcats which should lead to more targets his way.
More rookie predictions:
In this bold prediction, NFL Mocks has McMillan surpassing McCaffrey’s rookie record in receptions set in 2017. In that season, McCaffrey hauled in 80 receptions from the running back position. McMillan will challenge that even if he doesn’t hit the 1,000-yard receiving mark. Outside of McCaffrey’s 80 catches, the top wide receiver in rookie receptions is Kelvin Benjamin who set the mark in 2014 with 73 receptions. McMillan is a similar type of receiver as Benjamin given his size as a receiver.
In that category, it will be an impactful year for the No. 8 overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft.