Arizona WR Tetairoa McMillan is not a flawless 1st-round prospect for the Panthers
Even after an active journey through the first wave of free agency, the Carolina Panthers still have a few needs that have yet to be addressed. And as of now, a difference-making wide receiver seems to be chief among those holes.
Perhaps 2024 first-round pick Xavier Legette eventually becomes the guy. But that prospect, following an underwhelming rookie campaign, remains in question.
Something similar could be said for fellow youngster Jalen Coker—who, while impressive thus far, has plenty of road ahead of him.
And although the organization just rewarded him for his first two seasons in Carolina, a soon-to-be 35-year-old Adam Thielen is not the long-term answer.
So, with all of the previously-available veterans who could've taken that job now spoken for, the focus of this hunt has shifted to the 2025 NFL draft.
Seemingly sitting atop this year's wide receiver class is University of Arizona standout Tetairoa McMillan. The 6-foot-4, 219-pound All-American is widely considered the top pass catcher of the draft, and could be fully in play for the Panthers and the eighth overall pick.
There may, however, be some red flags concerning his standing in the class.
Here's what we stated about McMillan in our scouting report on him from January:
McMillan must improve his release packages at the line. He can get jammed early, particularly when he plays high out of his stance.
Furthermore, despite his movement skills and fluidity, he could be a lot more deceptive and creative as a route runner. There are times when opposing defensive backs will blanket him due to rounded cuts and lack of hesitation moves.
When it comes to evaluating wide receivers, the first areas we can look for are route running, separation and release packages. Keep in mind, some players run routes in a different style based on their physical and athletic characteristics—and in McMillan's case, he's proved to be sufficient enough in that department.
But he does have to show more creativity to sell his routes and break his stems. That, without the gift of blazing long speed, could be an issue at the pro level.
McMillan is a smart player who knows how to attack leverage. The issue comes as a separator, where there are similar concerns that compare to Legette's from last year. McMillan's release packages tend to get sloppy, and his footwork is inconsistent, allowing for those jams to occur.
This, though, does not mean McMillan isn't a good prospect.
Between his frame, ball skills, jump-ball prowess, fluidity and alignment versatility, it's easy to see why so many folks are high on him. He is a Day One starter in the NFL.
That, however, doesn't necessarily mean he's an elite prospect.
Cleaner evaluations could be found in Ohio State's Emeka Egbuka and Texas' Matthew Golden, who many have ranked well below McMillan on their boards. Their crisper route running, quickness and effectiveness at the line of scrimmage, in my view, make them more projectable prospects than McMillan.
Based on my grading scale, McMillan is a late first-round to early second-round player. Prospects that receive a top-10 grade, like he has, are viewed as high-impact or instant-impact starters with All-Pro or generational talent.
McMillan does not fit the bill for any of that.
He can help grow this budding Carolina offense, and perhaps even be a fine selection in the eighth spot. But—with the other talent and other needs still out there for Carolina—he is, by no means, a perfect selection for the Panthers.
This article originally appeared on Panthers Wire: 2025 NFL draft: Tetairoa McMillan is not a flawless pick for Panthers
-
Panthers LB Christian Rozeboom has no idea how he got his crazy nickname
New Panthers LB Christian Rozeboom didn't know he had a nickname until yesterday.Yahoo Sports - 2d -
Report: Panthers gave Adam Thielen a pay raise
Panthers wide receiver Adam Thielen is getting a pay raise as he heads into the final year of his contract.Yahoo Sports - 2d -
Cornerback returns to Buffalo Bills after a season with Carolina Panthers
He was a seventh-round draft pick in 2020 who made the team and played in five games as a rookie, starting two.Yahoo Sports - 1d -
Dodgers prospect Dalton Rushing sowing seeds of trust as he awaits his MLB debut
Dalton Rushing won 2024 Minor League Player of the Year and has earned positive reviews from the Dodgers, but he is still working to earn his MLB debut.Yahoo Sports - 5d -
Miles Sanders signing with Cowboys: Former Eagles, Panthers running back reportedly inks one-year deal
Sanders was released by the Panthers this weekCBS Sports - 1d -
Vinnie Hinostroza’s 400th game comes as he finds another playoff race
Save for nine games with the Florida Panthers back in the 2020-21 season, Vinnie Hinostroza’s last five NHL employers – Arizona, Chicago, Buffalo, Pittsburgh and Nashville – are franchises that ...Yahoo Sports - 8h -
An Arizona prisoner whose execution is coming up isn't asking for a reprieve
A prisoner scheduled to be executed next week in what would be Arizona’s first use of the death penalty in over two years will not ask for a reprieve from his death sentence.NBC News - 5d -
Who has made Troy's Premier League team of the week?
After every round of Premier League matches this season, Troy Deeney gives us his team of the week. Do you agree with his choices?BBC News - 5d -
Free Agency: Cowboys add former Panthers 2nd-round RB in unofficial swap
The Cowboys know Miles Sanders well after he spent four years with the Eagles and two with Carolina. Now he'll join an evolving RB room in Dallas.Yahoo Sports - 1d
More from Yahoo Sports
-
Heartwarming moment Lewis Hamilton’s dad consoles F1 rookie after debut crash
Isack Hadjar endured an F1 debut to forget after spinning into the barrier on the formation lapYahoo Sports - 13m -
Bud Cauley got into The Players Championship as an alternate; now he's one shot off lead
Bud Cauley enters the final round of The Players Championship in second place after shooting a 6-under 66 Saturday. He is one shot behind J.J. Spaun.Yahoo Sports - 14m -
Lewis Hamilton swears over radio as Ferrari miss chance for F1 debut win in Australian GP
The seven-time F1 world champion failed to pit when needed amid carnage in the rain in MelbourneYahoo Sports - 18m -
Kylian Mbappe, Raphinha Face Setback in Ballon d’Or Poll as Ousmane Dembele Gains Ground
Ousmane Dembele has been one of the standout footballers of 2025. The Frenchman has netted 21 goals this year, with his latest coming in the second leg of the UEFA Champions League Round of 16 ...Yahoo Sports - 18m -
Dodgers fall to Hanshin Tigers in final tuneup before start of regular season
Behind a superb start from Hiroto Saiki, the Hanshin Tigers didn't give up a hit until the fifth inning and defeated the Dodgers 3-0 at the Tokyo Dome.Yahoo Sports - 22m
More in Sports
-
Heartwarming moment Lewis Hamilton’s dad consoles F1 rookie after debut crash
Isack Hadjar endured an F1 debut to forget after spinning into the barrier on the formation lapYahoo Sports - 13m -
Bud Cauley got into The Players Championship as an alternate; now he's one shot off lead
Bud Cauley enters the final round of The Players Championship in second place after shooting a 6-under 66 Saturday. He is one shot behind J.J. Spaun.Yahoo Sports - 14m -
Lewis Hamilton swears over radio as Ferrari miss chance for F1 debut win in Australian GP
The seven-time F1 world champion failed to pit when needed amid carnage in the rain in MelbourneYahoo Sports - 18m -
Kylian Mbappe, Raphinha Face Setback in Ballon d’Or Poll as Ousmane Dembele Gains Ground
Ousmane Dembele has been one of the standout footballers of 2025. The Frenchman has netted 21 goals this year, with his latest coming in the second leg of the UEFA Champions League Round of 16 ...Yahoo Sports - 18m -
Dodgers fall to Hanshin Tigers in final tuneup before start of regular season
Behind a superb start from Hiroto Saiki, the Hanshin Tigers didn't give up a hit until the fifth inning and defeated the Dodgers 3-0 at the Tokyo Dome.Yahoo Sports - 22m