Carolina Panthers ignore overblown warning signs with Tetairoa McMillan as they select him in NFL Draft to help QB Bryce Young
The Carolina Panthers had big needs on both sides of the ball coming into the 2025 NFL Draft. They could have gone edge rusher. There were thoughts the team could add an offensive lineman. Instead, the Panthers opted to select a wide receiver in Tetairoa McMillan.Obviously the team wanted to continue building around young quarterback […]
The Carolina Panthers had big needs on both sides of the ball coming into the 2025 NFL Draft. They could have gone edge rusher. There were thoughts the team could add an offensive lineman. Instead, the Panthers opted to select a wide receiver in Tetairoa McMillan.
Obviously the team wanted to continue building around young quarterback Bryce Young, but as the draft approached there were certainly some questions with Tetairoa McMillan. That apparently didn't matter.
What questions were there with Tetairoa McMillan? And why were they completely overblown?
First there was a video of an interview with McMillan that surfaced showing him state that he doesn't necessarily like watching film. The media ran with that for a week straight despite it being a throwaway comment from him, and many people started to believe that McMillan wasn't a good football player off the field.
Then as the draft got even closer some NFL insiders like Todd McShay started sharing some things they heard from sources and coaches suggesting that McMillan was a great player "when coaches pushed him", claiming that he didn't like to work out or practice hard (as you can see mentioned in the post below).
The thing is, if folks like Todd McShay or a number of the media members who spent the last few months trashing Tetairoa McMillan just talked to a few of his teammates they would realize that any work ethic or "grinding" worries are completely overblown.
Over the last few years I had the opportunity to interview a number of his teammates (like WR Jacob Cowing and Jonah Savaiinaea most recently), and every single one of them sang McMillan's praises–in many cases unsolicited. They discussed his leadership by example, his work ethic, and of course his absurd dominance as a physical wide receiver.
Then when I asked Tetairoa McMillan about his leadership at the NFL Combine he confirmed what his teammates shared (as you can see in my post below):
"I was the highest rated recruit in Arizona history. And like you said, at the end of the day you have a job being a leader on the team. Just to lead. I wouldn't say I'm a 'hoorah' guy. I'm not usually the first guy to break down the huddle, but I'm a pro, and I lead by example."
Tetairoa McMillan accounted for over 40% of Arizona's receiving offense last year. He was one of the most efficient receiving weapons in the nation two years in a row as he added value with yards after catch and dominant contested catches. McMillan racked up over 2700 receiving yards in the last two seasons alone.
The Panthers get their WR1 of the future here who will immediately play an every down role. Adam Thielen is a shell of his old self. Xavier Legette is athletic, but still a bit raw. Jalen Coker is an overachieving UDFA talent. Tetairoa McMillan will be leaned on heavily right away.
Red flags and warning signs be darned. The Panthers saw the potential and they swung for the fences with McMillan.
Tetairoa McMillan Scouting Report
Wide Receiver, Arizona
Age (Birthday): 22 (04/05/2003)
A to Z Sports Expected Draft Position: 8
Pre-Draft Round Projection: 1
A third-year junior out of Arizona, Tetairoa McMillan was already viewed as one of the best receiver prospects going into last season. As a junior, McMillan finished as an All-American with 1,319 yards and eight touchdowns on 84 receptions. That included a 10-reception, 300-yard, four-touchdown performance against New Mexico. Ultimately, there were inconsistencies this past season due to the lack of talent around him and very poor quarterback play. McMillan's near 6'5" frame at 212 pounds matches his play as a traditional X receiver, but he's got more to his game than that, including a surprising amount of YAC ability. Overall, McMillan is a day one starter at wide receiver with high end potential.
Career Projection: All-Pro Potential
We'll be back with more Carolina Panthers coverage here at A to Z Sports soon! Follow me (@FF_TravisM) and A to Z Sports (@AtoZSportsNFL) on X for all the latest football news!
And if you want to see why Tetairoa McMillan was absolutely the right pick for the Carolina Panthers to make in the first round of the 2025 NFL Draft just check out some of his highlights in the post below!
