The Carolina Panthers selected WR Tetairoa McMillan out of Arizona with the eighth overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft. The Panthers’ offense was in need of reinforcements in the passing game, as Carolina ranked dead last in passing yards per game a season ago with 161.2.
While the quarterback play of Bryce Young is going to have a huge influence on how McMillan performs in 2025, I still think it’s a good fit for the rookie receiver, as he will undoubtedly become the primary option in the passing attack. Carolina had arguably some of the worst offensive weapons in football a year ago, so when you add a top 10 pick to the equation, he instantly becomes the focal point. McMillan will be joined by Adam Thielen and Xavier Legette in the receiver room.
In terms of his fit in fantasy football, I think Carolina could be a great landing spot, assuming Bryce Young continues to improve. He ended last season on a high note, and if he can continue that into 2025, McMillan should be a very intriguing fantasy option. He’s a tall, physical wideout whose specialty is winning the 50/50 balls. His NFL comp has always been Mike Evans, and if he can live up to even half of what Evans has done in the NFL, it will be a great career.
McMillan is the highest offensive player selected in the NFL Draft in Arizona history and leads the school in all-time receiving yards. He finished his career in Tucson with 213 receptions, 3,423 yards and 26 touchdowns in three seasons.
McMillan has had a historic college career and hopes to do the same in Carolina. A lot of his success will depend on the QB, however, as is the case with every wide receiver.
Overall, it’s a solid fit for him, but could he have been better off being drafted somewhere else? Only time will tell.
