Tetairoa McMillan DVOA, Advanced Stats, & Fantasy Rankings

The Carolina Panthers have signed rookie first-round wide receiver Tetairoa McMillan to a four-year, $27.93 million contract. McMillan was the first receiver selected in April's draft, chosen No. 8 overall by Carolina. The hulking pass-catcher (6-foot-4) will reportedly operate as the team's X receiver with veteran Adam Thielen manning the slot and Xavier Legette rounding out the corps at the Z. It's a natural fit for the Arizona product, as his frame and metrics support the position. He was excellent during his final two seasons at college, amassing 174 receptions, 2,721 yards, and 18 touchdowns, and projects to slot in as a high-volume target for quarterback Bryce Young. McMillan is a superb selection early in rookie drafts, and could garner appeal in redraft leagues if Young's improvements from the tail end of 2024 stick.

Carolina Panthers first-round rookie wide receiver Tetairoa McMillan is likely to man the X spot and be an immediate fixture of the Panthers' offense in 2025, according to The Charlotte Observer's Mike Kaye. Xavier Legette, who has more speed, will work out of the Z position, while veteran Adam Thielen will primarily work out of the slot. Despite their immediate roles, Kaye also believes the three wideouts will get the chance to move around the formation. Jalen Coker and David Moore will be the primary backups on the outside. The Panthers took the 22-year-old McMillan with the eighth overall pick to give young quarterback Bryce Young another weapon. It would be good news for McMillan if he could work some out of the slot as well, as he was one of the best slot wideouts in college last year at Arizona. McMillan has plenty of downfield, contested-catch ability, but he could struggle to gain separation in the NFL.