The Carolina Panthers entered the 2025 NFL Draft still needing to focus on revamping its defense after again finishing last in the NFL in total defense.
With starting spots up for grabs at defensive tackle, defensive end, linebacker, and safety, Carolina naturally drafted a wide receiver in the first round.
This is one of the worst places Tetairoa McMillan could have been drafted, not just for fantasy, but also for his career.
The Panthers finished last in total offense in 2024, struggling to have an identity on either side of the ball. That was due in-part to it being just the sophomore season for quarterback Bryce Young. But the team also faced injuries in the run game and had no true No. 1 receiver or tight end – unless you count Adam Thielen, the injury-prone, 10-year veteran, who never played a snap with Young.
However, it did draft Xavier Legette in the first round of the 2024 Draft, as well as Jonathan Mingo No. 39 overall (second round) in the 2023 NFL Draft.
“I think we got that guy. I think it’s Xavier,” head coach Dave Canales said at the annual NFL meeting earlier this year when asked about the No. 1 option for Young. “I think it’s up to the coaches to just continue to develop him and let him grow at his pace. So, for me, the goal for Xavier Legette is let’s just take that next step.”
But the Panthers have failed in developing its high investments into anything since they arrived in Charlotte.
Less than two seasons in, Mingo has already been shipped off to Dallas in exchange for a measly fifth-round pick, and Legette failed to eclipse 500 yards as a rookie despite playing in 16 games.
If McMillan follows suit, he either will be a forgotten name in the fantasy world or won’t dawn the blue and black very long.
What Good Does McMillan Bring to Carolina?
If you’re still reading after one of the worst introductions a rookie could get, there is still some good that comes with McMillan despite his location and motley crew around him.
McMillan’s size alone, 6-feet, 4-inches and 219 pounds makes him a difficult matchup for defenders. Those are similar metrics to the Giants’ Malik Nabers, who we saw garner a slew of targets despite being a rookie on a broken team one season ago.
McMillan finished his final year at the University of Arizona last year with more than 1,300 yards – good for third in the nation.
Analysts also compared McMillan to Atlanta’s Drake London. While that also may not be a fact in the “plus column”, London established himself as the No. 1 option with nearly 1,300 yards of his own on a team with a failing quarterback.
McMillan’s hands are some of those that everyone wants the characteristics of. The size, control and hand-fighting for the ball in needed-scenarios stands out immediately. It also helps that tape over and over again show his adjustments to routes and coverage, making it easier on himself to catch the ball without all the pizzazz. His size and body control also speak for themselves, as he can dominate the airspace.
A common knock to both McMillan and London is the struggles faced in finishing routes.
McMillan has the skills to win jump and deep balls once he makes it to a spot, but getting there is still rocky. His time in Arizona showed that he often has many times facing contested catches. If he struggles getting to the placement, he won’t be successful generating production in the NFL.
Legette and Mingo’s game usage has not shown consistency in being able to compete in contested catches or run successful routes as factors in the passing game. If McMillan can show he’s different from that mold, he may be waiting to take over Thielen’s No. 1 role as soon as this season.
He sits at WR2 in our Dynasty Rookie Rankings, but is well down the line at WR2 81 in our 2025 Fantasy Football Redraft Rankings.
