The San Francisco 49ers are teetering on the edge of a rebuild after losing several key pieces in free agency. While still a top team if all of their elite skill players can return to health in 2025, the 49ers face the prospect of having to replace several aging stars in the coming years.
2024 rookies Isaac Guerendo and Ricky Pearsall flashed difference-making ability in 2024. And the latest three-round mock draft from PFSN’s Justin Lewis sees the team further commit to the next generation of its offense.
49ers Take Tetairoa McMillan in the First Round of Latest PFSN Mock Draft
In March, the 49ers traded six-year starting receiver Deebo Samuel Sr. to the Washington Commanders. Samuel had suffered a dip in form in 2024, suffering from multiple injuries, including a bout of pneumonia. With Samuel gone, there is a big hole to fill in the 49ers offense, with Pearsall a contender to step up.
According to Lewis’ latest mock draft, though, the team could find its solution in the first round of the 2025 NFL Draft.
“Tetairoa McMillan possesses very good size and overall athleticism for the position. He is a versatile receiver who can line up outside, in the slot, and even attached to the hip of the tight end, all so he can maximize mismatches against nickel corners and linebackers.
McMillan is a big-bodied pass catcher with an outstanding catch radius and hands. He has rare ball skills and is an outstanding contested-catch and red-zone threat, but he has the athleticism of a receiver who is smaller in stature and can make plays with the ball in his hands. Brock Purdy needs another weapon on the outside with the departure of Deebo Samuel to the Washington Commanders.”
Could McMillan Replace Deebo Samuel Sr.?
While McMillan is a completely different type of receiver to Samuel, his ability to make big plays regardless of how tight the coverage is would serve the 49ers well. A big-bodied playmaker with smooth route-running and outstanding hands, McMillan should excel at the NFL level.
The true value of Samuel, though, was in his dual-threat ability and penchant for breaking tackles. McMillan likely won’t offer that same versatility, but Kyle Shanahan should be able to replace that elsewhere. If Guerendo, for example, could prove himself in the passing game, there’s no reason that he couldn’t line up alongside Christian McCaffrey in the backfield like Samuel once did.
If the 49ers want a like-for-like replacement for Samuel, McMillan isn’t the guy. What he is, however, is a big-time difference maker that would instantly improve the 49ers offense.