With the smoke screens now settled, the pick is in, and the fanbase…. ROARS EXPLODED as WR from Arizona Tetairoa McMillan becomes the next X WR with the Carolina Panthers. McMillan leaves college as the University of Arizona All-Time Receiving leader, breaking the record from Bobby Wade. McMillan adds the dynamic outside weapon that comes at a time when the Panthers are beginning their rebuild with QB Bryce Young and HC Dave Canales. Though he was called an “ASU star” at the draft, Tetairoa immediately walks into the locker room as a day one starter at X.
In a move that has sent tremors throughout the NFL, the Carolina Panthers shocked fans and experts alike by selecting Arizona wide receiver Tetairoa McMillan during the draft. This bold decision, made with the eighth overall pick, defied widespread expectations for a defensive remedy to the league’s worst unit, signaling a new direction for Carolina’s game plan.
The person who made sure Tetairoa McMillan became a Panther was a surprising one – QB Bryce Young. “Bryce, he’s been telling them, ‘Hey, we need to pick this guy,’” McMillan said. “Although I feel like I did what I needed to do to be in this position, I give credit to Bryce for vouching for me and ultimately for them taking the chance on me.” The two have a history together, having competed as Trinity League rivals at Mater Dei (Young) and Servite (McMillan), though Young was two years ahead of McMillan in high school.
The Panthers opted to improve their offense in the first round instead of addressing a defense that was the league’s worst last season.
Carolina allowed a league-high 31.4 points and 404.5 yards per game in 2024, including a whopping 179.8 yards on the ground, and Georgia edge rusher Jalon Walker was believed to be high on Carolina’s draft board.
Nick Baumgardner/Scott Dochterman (The Athletic): B+
Vinnie Iyer (Sporting News): A
Danny Kelly (The Ringer): A+
Dave Kluge (Footballguys): A
Michael Middlehurst-Schwartz (USA Today): C
Gilberto Manzano/Matt Verderame (Sports Illustrated): A
Pete Prisco (CBS Sports): C
Charles Robinson (Yahoo Sports): B
Geoff Schwartz (FOX Sports): A
Brent Sobleski (Bleacher Report): A
Ian Valentino (The 33rd Team): A
Hayden Winks (Underdog Network): A
McMillan’s overall career average of 16.1 yards per reception is a testament to his playmaking ability, which is partly attributed to his background in volleyball and basketball. When asked about the underrated aspects of his game, he confidently noted, “my explosiveness,” which is quite telling given his dynamic stats. His 34-inch vertical leap and 10-inch hands enable him to take flight, making him particularly dangerous in the red zone.
This selection by the Panthers signifies a strong commitment to bolstering their receiving corps, marking the second consecutive year they have chosen a wide receiver in the first round after selecting Xavier Legette in 2024. As the Carolina offense looks to find a dynamic edge, McMillan’s arrival could be the game-changer they need.
Whatever concerns teams had with McMillan in the pre-draft process, it ultimately didn’t matter much. McMillan was selected 8th overall Thursday night by the Carolina Panthers, making him the highest Wildcat to be drafted since Chris Singleton was picked 8th by the New England Patriots in 1990.
Standing 6-foot-4 and weighing 219 pounds, McMillan offers the Panthers a true X-receiver, big-bodied, tough in traffic, and polished as a route-runner. He broke Arizona records and earned All-America honors in 2024, making him a natural fit for a Panthers offense that finished 30th in passing yards last season.
With Adam Thielen and Xavier Legette returning, McMillan adds youth and upside to a group in desperate need of both. His speed may not be elite, but his ability to win contested catches and move the chains makes him an ideal target for Bryce Young.
For Bryce, this has to work so Tetairoa McMillan continued to be the best possible position to allow him to develop long-term rather than being behind the 8-ball next year, and as the great Cris Collinsworth said, “the quickest way for Dave to get fired is to not have a good offense.”
With Tetairoa on the outside, Blitz is expecting the Panthers to advance up the NFC South standings, even given that rival Atlanta Falcons added now rival Jalon Walker, and James Pearce Jr!
