The Carolina Panthers head into the 2025 offseason with some major work to do on defense. But there still may be something left to address on the other side of the ball.
Now, especially after the emergent campaign of second-year quarterback Bryce Young, the front office may look to add a true No. 1 wide receiver. Even with promising rookies Xavier Legette and Jalen Coker in tow, the offense still lacks a game-changing playmaker who can pose a lethal threat from all areas of the field.
One option for Carolina could come through the draft—in University of Arizona standout Tetairoa McMillan. A finalist for the Biletnikoff Award, McMillan was one of the most productive wide receivers in college football—with 3,423 receiving yards and 26 total touchdowns across his three-year career.
So, let’s take a dive into the consensus All-American’s strengths and weaknesses ahead of his jump to the pros . . .
Strengths
There are not many wide receivers in the NFL, or in all of football, who can move as well as the 6-foot-5, 215-pound McMillan. His fluidity and short-area quickness make him a fun presence in run-after-catch situations, where he’ll put an extra move or two on a defender to create space and yardage.
McMillan isn’t a one-trick pony. He is an alignment-versatile player capable of winning as the X, Z, or Y in any offense, and will sometimes be used in the screen game for his athleticism.
As with any receiver at his stature, McMillan has terrific ball skills—and it helps that he rarely drops passes due to excellent hand-eye coordination and ball-tracking ability. Those skills, helped by his wide wingspan, have resulted in some impressive catches.
While he isn’t an elite route runner, Tetairoa will use his physicality to create separation at the top of his stem. He also uses his above-average long speed and strides to generate separation on vertical planes. Arizona used a diverse route tree—which makes McMillan a scheme-diverse player in that regard.
Weaknesses
Despite his frame, length, and play strength, McMillan still has room for growth—specifically around the line of scrimmage and in his route running.
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.
The Verdict
McMillan will need fine-tuning of his route-running ability and release packages. But that should not prevent him from being a Day 1 starter in the NFL.
This is a height-weight-speed receiver with outstanding ball skills, catch radius, size and fluidity. His frame and overall ball skills make him a terrific playmaker. It helps that McMillan is diverse in his route tree and can align from any wide receiver spot.
If the Panthers had an opportunity to take him early in this year’s draft, McMillan projects as an impact starter early in his career while giving the team a viable downfield pass catcher and an alignment-diverse player.