Wide receiver has become one of the most important positions in all of football, especially in fantasy sports. Let’s look at this year’s top WR for this rookie class, Tetairoa (Tet) McMillan. The number 1 pass catcher has been debated these last few months, but Tet has been projected to be selected in the 1st round all year long. On draft night, he will have many suitors who will consider taking McMillan with their first pick. But, where is the best landing spot for fantasy production? The teams considered for this list are NFL teams that I have been mocked to take Tet McMillan in the first round.
1. Carolina Panthers
The Carolina Panthers hold the 8th overall pick in this year’s NFL draft. Things have seemed bleak for the Panthers ever since giving up a haul to trade up to #1 in the 2023 NFL draft to select Bryce Young. Most people were ready to write off Young last season after being benched for Andy Dalton in Week 3 with a performance of being QB32. After an unfortunate off-field accident to Dalton, Bryce Young became the starter again in Week 8. Since then, Young claimed QB12 between Week 8 through the rest of the season and regained some hope from the football community.
Panthers have lacked the presence of having a #1 wide receiver since DJ Moore, who was apart of that Bryce Young trade. They have continued to add solid pieces, like Xavier Leggette, Jalen Coker & old reliable Adam Thielen. But a true alpha pass-catcher on the outside could ignite this offense into possible contention in a weak NFC South. The players mentioned above would be beautiful complements to McMillan’s game.
Tet McMillan is coming off a 2023 season with 1,402 yards & 2024 season with 1,319. His game has been described as more of a 50/50 jump ball catcher, but that is a benefit that most wide receivers do not have. And something that the Panthers do not have. Young & McMillan could be a breakout duo in fantasy if the Panthers drafted the former Arizona Wildcat.
2. Los Angeles Chargers
This list takes us from the 8th overall pick to the 22nd overall pick with the Los Angeles Chargers. The crazy thing is mock drafts have McMillan in this kind of range. Some experts have other pass-catchers going beforehand but also have NFL teams addressing other positions before any select a wide receiver. If the Chargers do have Tet McMillan on the board this late, Jim Harbaugh may run to the podium himself.
Last draft, the Chargers used round 1 on offensive lineman Joe Alt then round 2 on Ladd McConkey to give Justin Herbert a new weapon. McConkey went on to have a great rookie season by finishing as WR13 with 1,149 yards & 7 TDs in 16 games. The pairing of McConkey & McMillan is my favorite of all these projected lineups. McMillan is the over-the-top, one-on-one receiver perfect to add to Justin Herbert’s game. As for McConkey, he is the route-running short-intermediate target who will feast in PPR leagues.
If the Chargers do end up with McMillan after this year’s draft, fantasy owners will be dancing in the streets. This kind of addition just elevates everyone around. Herbert can be a top 10 QB this upcoming season with a loaded weapon tree. McMillan will be a top prospect with an established quarterback throwing to him weekly. McConkey will have more man coverage opportunities to exploit any corner attempting to cover him. Both McMillan & McConkey will be on every fantasy lineup throughout the fantasy season.
3. Las Vegas Raiders
And we are back to the Top 10 of the draft. The Las Vegas Raiders were also a team in my Best Landing Spots for Ashton Jeanty. The 6th overall pick for the Raiders could go in many directions, but from what I have read, it will be a pick used on the offensive side of the ball. The entire overhaul of this franchise has people estimating they are going to go all out to become a “win now” team for the 2025 season. Pete Carroll, the new head coach, will be searching for an offensive reliability outside of the rookie breakout star of Brock Bowers.
As the look of their depth chart, the Raiders could use a boost in the backfield, but more importantly in the wide receiver room. My thought process is, “Why trade for Geno Smith to hand off the ball to a running back?” This resurgence of Geno Smith’s career has come about through his arm talent. He threw for 4k yards in 2 of the last 3 seasons, one of those being with Pete Carroll. Carroll & Smith may find their new DK Metcalf in Tet McMillan for this new look Raiders offense. This running back class is so deep that the Raiders could address both positions in the first 2 rounds and call it a day. As for the pass catchers of this class, there is a drop off after a certain number of players.
No disrespect to Jakobi Meyers, who I view as a sleeper coming to this season, but he is not a true #1 receiver. Tet McMillan will step into a system as the top WR but maybe not the top target. Which is perfectly okay, it is all about complementary football that could see McMillan get more high percentage looks down the field if Bowers is controlling the short-intermediate in the center. McMillan will step into the role of being the big man on the outside, where his game flourishes.
McMillan playing with a veteran quarterback could set him up for being the top rookie in fantasy in 2025. This draft pick may be a bit too high, but the pairing may be made in heaven.
Honorable Mentions
- New Orleans Saints
- Great duo with Chris Olave
- Cost-effective player for NO
- Seattle Seahawks
- Great trio with Jaxon Smith-Njigba and Cooper Kupp, but could hinder JSN
- All in with Sam Darnold