'They've been showing me nothing but love' — Packers ideal first-round target sees himself as a good fit in Green Bay
The Green Bay Packers have done a ton of work in potential first-round wide receivers, which would break a 23-year trend in the draft. One of the possible targets is Arizona's Tetairoa McMillan, perceived by many as the best pure receiver of this class.On Wednesday, he was already in Green Bay for the draft, as […]
The Green Bay Packers have done a ton of work in potential first-round wide receivers, which would break a 23-year trend in the draft. One of the possible targets is Arizona's Tetairoa McMillan, perceived by many as the best pure receiver of this class.
On Wednesday, he was already in Green Bay for the draft, as he was invited by the NFL to be in the green room. And during a pre-draft event with local kids, McMillan also talked to the media about the possibility of staying in Wisconsin after the draft if the Packers pick him.
"They've been showing me nothing but love throughout this whole draft process," McMillan said.
According to Matt Schneidman from The Athletic, the top prospect also mentioned his fit in Matt LaFleur's offensive scheme.
"I feel like I could fit in any offense well," McMillan added. "But this one specifically, yeah."
Tet McMillan had an impressively productive college career. Throughout his three seasons at Arizona, he had 213 catches for 3,423 receiving yards, and 26 touchdown receptions.
T-Mac had elite advanced stats last year, like yards per route run (2.87), contested catch rate (60%), and PFF graded him as a top prospect against man coverage.
The Packers had McMillan in for a top 30 pre-draft visit on April 15. That doesn't necessarily mean the team loves him, but it's an indication that it is interested to know more about the player. Green Bay also hosted Matthew Golden and Emeka Egbuka, seen as first-round wide receiver prospects in this year's class.
Short- and long-term need
Tetairoa McMillan would be a valuable addition as a true X receiver on the Packers' offense, especially while Christian Watson is out with a knee injury.
At the same time, adding wide receivers is a huge mid- and long-term need for the roster. Only Jayden Reed and Dontayvion Wicks are under contract beyond 2025, with starters like Watson and Romeo Doubs slated to hit free agency next offseason.
The Packers haven't drafted a wide receiver in the first round since 2002, but general manager Brian Gutekunst said during the pre-draft process that he wouldn't philosophically rule that possibility out.
In regards to McMillan, though, the problem is that there’s a good chance he won’t be available when the Packers are on the clock. He is the 11th overall prospect on the consensus big board, and most analysts expect him to go in the top 12.
Two ESPN insiders indicate that the Packers may finally break a two-decade trend in the first round of the draft
Jordan Love would be pretty happy
