The Carolina Panthers finished 5-12 last season, but Bryce Young’s late-season improvement was a massive positive for the team. However, head coach Dave Canales knew he had to surround his young quarterback with more elite talent, and eventually brought in arguably the best wideout in this year’s draft class in Tetairoa McMillan.
The Panthers’ other notable draft additions included Nic Scourton and Trevor Etienne, but it’s McMillan who’s emerging as the most exciting rookie to watch in Carolina’s minicamp.
Tetairoa McMillan Named Top Rookie to Watch in Panthers’ Minicamp
Chubba Hubbard was unarguably their most productive player last season, recording 1,195 yards and 10 rushing touchdowns, while adding 43 receptions, 171 yards, and one score through the air. However, besides that, the Panthers did not have much to look forward to, offensively.
The Panthers took McMillan and hope he can immediately impact the offense. According to Darin Gantt and Kassidy Hill from the team’s official website, the front office has put him on an “accelerated track” in the OTAs as they look to make him a legitimate No. 1 wide receiver.
Tetairoa McMillan’s release and speed at his size (6’5”, 220 lbs) looks SUPERNATURAL.
McMillan’s body control and quickness have reportedly “blown away” some of his teammates and coaches early on.
McMillan has reportedly already won “his fair share of battles” against Jaycee… pic.twitter.com/viUnCV7oQ3
— NFL Rookie Watch (@NFLRookieWatxh) June 4, 2025
Given that McMillan continues to impress, PFSN’s Brandon Austin deemed him to be the most exciting rookie to watch in Carolina’s minicamp, arguing that his athletic traits could make him a high-volume target for Bryce Young, who will find fresh talent around him going into the 2025 season.
“McMillan can be an elite chain-moving and vertical threat with his explosiveness, body control, and hand strength,” Austin wrote. While noting that the Arizona alum lacks agility, his athleticism makes McMillan a ‘high-volume target’ and a ‘tremendous red-zone threat.’ Furthermore, his “ability after the catch would also provide a boost to a Carolina offense that ranked last in average YAC per reception (4.2).”
Tetairoa McMillan measured at 6’4 1/8″, 219 pounds at the 2025 Scouting Combine, and based on Gantt and Hill’s observations from the OTAs, the 22-year-old does not shy away from positioning himself around the field and “letting his frame take over regardless of the defender.”
With his elite size-adjusted agility and fluidity at that frame, McMillan can slash through zone coverage, accrue RAC, and be a Day 1 safety blanket for Young. He put up 84 receptions, 1,319 yards, and eight touchdowns in his final season at Arizona, and it’s exactly the kind of season the Panthers would be expecting from him.