The Las Vegas Raiders are gearing up for 2025 after three straight losing seasons. PFSN’s latest mock draft has pegged Arizona product Tetairoa McMillan as new head coach Pete Carroll’s next big addition in pursuing a playoff-worthy roster.
Raiders Mocked Tetairoa McMillan to Bolster Geno Smith’s Arsenal in 2025 NFL Draft
The Raiders hold the sixth overall pick in this year’s NFL Draft after finishing 4-13, and NFL PFSN’s Anthony Pasciolla sees McMillan as the best use of that selection to strengthen new quarterback Geno Smith’s receiving corps.
He wrote in his latest mock draft with trades:
“The Las Vegas Raiders added head coach Pete Carroll and QB Geno Smith this offseason, making it known they have no interest in finishing toward the bottom of the NFL standings once again. This is why selecting the best pure wide receiver in the class, Tetairoa McMillan, is a strong choice.”
“McMillan is a strong, physical deep threat who, alongside tight end Brock Bowers, could form one of the NFL’s best up-and-coming receiving duos. It’s a recipe for success for the Raiders’ offense in their first season with Smith under center.”
Although Jakobi Meyers recorded the first 1,000-yard season of his career in 2024, the Raiders remain thin at wide receiver, making this pick a logical choice—but it’s unclear whether it would be enough to push them over the edge in an AFC West division that boasted three playoff teams last season.
Since Bowers already looked like one of the NFL’s top tight ends as a rookie and Meyers —who is entering a contract year — is a proven target, McMillan wouldn’t immediately be the focal point like last year’s rookie wideouts Malik Nabers, Ladd McConkey, and Brian Thomas Jr. were for their respective teams.
That said, McMillan’s physical tools make him a matchup nightmare. Measuring 6’4″ and 219 pounds at the NFL Combine, he has the size and catch radius to contribute immediately.
His college production also backs up his potential. He was dominant across three seasons at Arizona, posting:
- 39 catches, 702 yards, and eight touchdowns as a freshman
- 174 catches, 2,721 yards, and 18 touchdowns combined in his sophomore and junior seasons
Despite his impressive resume, McMillan isn’t without question marks. He skipped the drills at the NFL Combine, opting for a private pro day, which is often considered a less reliable indicator of speed and athleticism.
Additionally, PFSN’s scouting report noted that he has struggled to separate against man coverage and “lacks the third gear to separate vertically.”
However, with Bowers and Meyers drawing defensive attention and Smith coming off another solid season — ranking 15th of 39 quarterbacks in PFSN’s QB+ metric — McMillan could develop into the X-receiver this team needs.
He’ll also learn from Pete Carroll, who oversaw DK Metcalf’s transformation from a “contested-catch specialist” to an All-Pro receiver.
While the signing of 32-year-old Raheem Mostert appears to be a short-term fix at running back, the Raiders still need to address the backfield to round out their offense. However, a duo of McMillan and Bowers would give Las Vegas a strong foundation if they select the Arizona standout in the NFL Draft, which kicks off April 24.