Tetairoa McMillan: The WR Teams Can’t Ignore? Draft Day Analysis and Projections

The 2025 NFL Draft is rapidly approaching, and with it comes the annual frenzy of scouting reports, mock drafts, and prospect analysis. While quarterbacks and edge rushers often dominate the headlines, this year, a wide receiver from the University of Arizona is generating significant buzz: Tetairoa McMillan. After a stellar college career, McMillan has firmly placed himself in the conversation as a potential first-round pick, and for good reason. But what makes “T-Mac,” as he’s affectionately known, such an intriguing prospect, and why are NFL teams seemingly unable to ignore his potential?

A Dominant Force in the Desert

Tetairoa McMillan’s journey to the NFL spotlight began in Waimanalo, Hawaii. He later moved to Southern California, where he excelled at Servite High School. McMillan quickly established himself as a force to be reckoned with. His senior year stat line of 88 receptions for 1,302 yards and 18 touchdowns earned him recognition as a finalist for the Gatorade Football Player of the Year.

McMillan wasted no time making an impact at Arizona. As a true freshman in 2022, he led all first-year players nationally with 702 receiving yards and eight touchdowns. He followed that up with a sophomore campaign where he racked up 1,402 receiving yards and 10 touchdowns. By his junior year, McMillan had developed into a complete receiver, earning First-Team All-American honors and being named a finalist for the Biletnikoff Award. In 2024, the 6’5″, 212-pound wideout shattered school records, finishing with 1,319 receiving yards on 84 catches. His statement game against New Mexico, where he had 304 yards and four touchdowns on just 10 receptions, earned him Walter Camp National Offensive Player of the Week honors. He finished his career as Arizona’s all-time leader in receiving yards with 3,423.

McMillan’s Strengths: A Rare Blend of Size and Skill

What makes McMillan such a coveted prospect? Scouts rave about his rare combination of size, hands, and route-running ability. Here’s a breakdown of his key strengths:

Exceptional Size and Catch Radius: At 6’4″ and 219 pounds, McMillan possesses the prototypical size of an NFL wide receiver. He uses his frame to his advantage, boxing out defenders and high-pointing the ball with ease. His impressive wingspan and large hands give him an expansive catch radius, making him a reliable target even in contested situations.
Advanced Route Running: For a receiver of his size, McMillan displays surprising fluidity and agility. He’s not just a straight-line speedster; he possesses a diverse route tree and understands how to create separation using technique rather than pure athleticism. He excels on whip routes, crossers, and in-cuts across the middle.
Elite Ball-Tracking Skills: McMillan demonstrates exceptional ball-tracking ability and timing on deep throws. He consistently wins contested catches with excellent body control, making him a valuable asset in 50/50 situations.
Positional Versatility: McMillan has experience lining up both as an X-receiver and in the slot, showcasing his versatility and adaptability. This allows offensive coordinators to move him around the formation to create mismatches and exploit defensive weaknesses.
Red-Zone Prowess: McMillan’s size and ball skills make him a dangerous weapon in the red zone. He excels at back-shoulder fades and high-point situations, giving quarterbacks a reliable target when the field shrinks.
Improved YAC Ability: McMillan has shown improvement in his yards-after-catch ability, demonstrating good vision and enough strength to break arm tackles.

Areas for Improvement

While McMillan boasts an impressive skillset, scouts have identified a few areas where he can improve:

Top-End Speed: McMillan may lack the elite top-end speed to consistently threaten vertically against NFL corners. This could potentially limit his separation ability on deep routes. However, his reported 4.46 40-yard dash at his pro day alleviated some concerns.
Explosiveness Off the Line: McMillan can improve his explosiveness off the line of scrimmage, as he sometimes telegraphs his routes against off-coverage defenders.
Press Coverage: McMillan has struggled at times getting off the line and getting good position against corners who press him at the line.

Draft Projections and Potential Landing Spots

Heading into the draft, opinions on McMillan’s potential landing spot vary. Some mock drafts have him going as high as No. 6 overall to the Las Vegas Raiders, while others project him falling to the late teens or early twenties.

Several teams could be potential suitors for McMillan’s services:

Las Vegas Raiders: The Raiders desperately need a top-tier wide receiver to pair with quarterback Geno Smith. McMillan’s size and skillset would provide Smith with a reliable target and complement tight end Brock Bowers.
Jacksonville Jaguars: The Jaguars could look to add another weapon to their offense to support quarterback Trevor Lawrence. McMillan’s ability to win contested catches would be a valuable asset in the red zone.
Seattle Seahawks: After trading away DK Metcalf, the Seahawks are in the market for a big-bodied receiver. McMillan’s size and ball skills would make him a natural fit in Seattle.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers: With the age and injuries at the wide receiver position, the Buccaneers could look to add a young, talented receiver like McMillan to their roster.

NFL Comparison

Several analysts have compared McMillan to current NFL receivers. A popular comparison is Drake London of the Atlanta Falcons, another big-bodied receiver with excellent ball skills. Others have drawn comparisons to Mike Evans of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, although some believe McMillan lacks Evans’ top-end speed.

The Verdict

Tetairoa McMillan is undoubtedly one of the most intriguing wide receiver prospects in the 2025 NFL Draft. His rare combination of size, skill, and versatility makes him a potential game-changer at the next level. While he may need to refine certain aspects of his game, his strengths far outweigh his weaknesses. NFL teams in need of a dominant outside receiver who can win contested catches and make plays in the red zone simply can’t afford to ignore Tetairoa McMillan. He has the potential to be a WR1 in the NFL.