Arizona Wildcat’s Tetairoa McMillan is one of the best wide receiver prospects in this upcoming NFL draft. However, one prominent NFL draft expert is predicting that he could slip in April, lasting all the way to the 20s and not even being the first receiver selected in the draft.
Latest Mock Draft Has Tetairoa McMillan Falling
In his second NFL mock draft, Mel Kiper has McMillan not only slipping out of the top 10 but dropping all the way to the Chargers selecting at 22nd overall. While that would be a shock to most, Kiper thinks that the top 10 would be “too rich” for McMillan, and here is what Kiper had to say in his mock:
“This isn’t a fantastic receiver class, and teams might prioritize other positions on Day 1, pushing guys such as McMillan down the board a little bit.”
Kiper does not even have McMillan as the first receiver off the board, as he has Ohio State’s Emeka Egbuka going to the Steelers at No. 21. This would be a home run selection by the Chargers, who are in need of an alpha No. 1 wide receiver, but most mocks have McMillan long gone by 22.
For context, PFSN’s latest mock draft has McMillan going at No. 8 to the Carolina Panthers and, by far, the first WR off the board (assuming Travis Hunter is drafted as a cornerback). In that same mock, the next WR is not taken until pick No. 20, Luther Burden III, to the Broncos, with Egbuka going 31st to the Chiefs.
“McMillan would be Bryce Young’s go-to weapon as the Carolina Panthers quarterback continues his resurgence from his mid-season benching. With a pterodactyl-like wingspan and an impressive catch radius, McMillan exhibits corrective tendencies and underrated athleticism. As a separator capable of physically competing at the catch point, the Arizona wide receiver is an ideal complement in Carolina” said PFSN’s Owain Jones.
However, Kiper is correct in that this is not thought to be a high-end WR class in general, and certainly not close to what we have seen in recent years.
Taking a WR early, specifically Tet, has been a big topic of conversation among CAR fans
Mel Kiper gives his opinion on him and the 2025 WR class in general
“Top 10 is a little rich right now for (for Tet)” pic.twitter.com/weUVaQg3m7
— SZN (@CLT_Sportsfan) February 25, 2025
The 2024 class had three picks in the top 10 (Marvin Harrison Jr, Malik Nabers, Rome Odunze), and seven first-round picks at the WR position overall. Even if McMillan does not drop to 22, it is almost a guarantee that there will not be multiple receivers taken in the top 10 in April.
As a prospect, there is a lot to like about McMillan, which is why it is such a headline having him drop out of the top 20. He is 6’5, 212 with a long wingspan, and is regarded as one of the best route runners in the class.
Wide receivers with those physical traits and elite college production do not normally last long in the NFL draft, so whoever picks up McMillan will have an elite talent to work with.