Upcoming Rookie Evaluation in 2025: Tetairoa McMillan's Dominance
Upcoming Rookie Evaluation in 2025: Tetairoa McMillan's Dominance
In the current year's dynasty rookie rankings, Ashton Jeanty's excellent performance is causing Tetairoa McMillan to slip under the radar slightly. After an astonishing debut where he recorded 10 receptions for 304 yards and four touchdowns, McMillan became the nation's talk of the town.
Despite not receiving much attention, McMillan had a stellar season, amassing 84 receptions for 1,319 yards and eight touchdowns. Some consider Jeanty as an unmissable prospect, but I find it hard to believe that McMillan won't dominate the dynasty scene within a year.
Tetairoa McMillan: Prospect Overview
As a sophomore at Arizona, McMillan made his mark in the college football scene. He went on to have an impressive 2023 season, catching 90 passes for 1,402 yards and 10 touchdowns. Upon entering his junior year, McMillan continued his remarkable form with a 84-1,319-8 stat line.
What sets McMillan apart is his unique blend of size and speed. Standing at 6'5" and weighing 212 lbs, McMillan moves exceptionally well and possesses remarkable athleticism. Most burly outside receivers typically excel at high-pointing passes and falling down. However, McMillan is an exception due to his exceptional YAC ability, which is an integral aspect of his game.
McMillan showcases an excellent catch radius combined with good body control. His unique skill set is further enhanced by his adeptness following the catch. McMillan appears to skate with the ball in his hands, and his post-catch ability is impressive. While his route running could be refined, it's certainly not bad, especially considering the size of a 6'5" receiver.
NFL Draft Predictions
According to the NFL Mock Draft Database, McMillan is projected as a top-8 pick in the NFL Draft. However, a potential landing spot as high as the second pick to the Patriots isn't out of the question. While the Patriots might be an ideal destination, recognizing the unpredictability of the wide receiver position, they are less crucial compared to running back.
Joining Bryce Young in Carolina would be an excellent opportunity, considering the Panthers hold the sixth overall pick. With the question marks surrounding the quarterback play of both the Titans and Raiders, McMillan's stock might drop slightly in these potential landing spots.
Steve Bradshaw's Rookie Rankings
This might come as a surprise to some, but McMillan tops my WR1 rankings and even ranks number one overall in my 2025 dynasty rookie rankings. While I hold Jeanty in high regard, McMillan's fantastic prospect profile makes it challenging to predict anything but success. Wide receivers, generally, enjoy longer playing careers than running backs.
Furthermore, the market on KeepTradeCut supports the positional value of wide receivers. The dynasty RB1 (Bijan Robinson) is ranked behind the WR3 (Malik Nabers), making a compelling argument for investing in a wide receiver versus a running back.
In the realm of football business, McMillan's impressive stats and potential have attracted the attention of several sports teams, potentially leading to a significant payday for his professional career.
During dynasty league drafts, McMillan's exceptional performance and promising future have earned him a high value, often being selected before high-rated running backs, highlighting the value of investing in talented wide receivers.