The Las Vegas Raiders are in the market for a franchise quarterback in the 2025 NFL Draft, but another skill position might be the more pressing need when they’re on the clock at pick 6 in Round 1.
That’s right. Don’t count out new general manager John Spytek from infusing some youthful talent into the wide receiver spot. Jakobi Meyers was the Raiders’ leading wide receiver in 2024, with rookie tight end Brock Bowers emerging as the team’s most dangerous weapon.
Those two players alone accounted for 282 of the 589 total targets on offense. Hence, upgrades are needed.
Raiders Select Arizona WR Tetairoa McMillan in Round 1
NFL Media’s Bucky Brooks doesn’t sound like he’s completely sold on Meyers carrying the No. 1 receiver load and, thus, has the Raiders selecting Arizona product Tetairoa McMillan with the sixth overall pick in Round 1 — calling the 6-foot-5, 210-pounder a “top priority” for the NFL’s sixth-worst passing attack (303.2 yards per game).
Brooks wrote, “Upgrading the talent on the perimeter is a top priority for a Raiders offense that relied extensively on rookie tight end Brock Bowers in 2024.”
Bowers’ rookie year was one for the books. The talented tight end made 112 receptions for 1,194 yards and five touchdowns while accounting for 153 total targets. He broke Darren Waller’s franchise record for most receptions in a single season, then shattered Mike Ditka’s 63-year-old record for most receiving yards in a single season by a rookie TE.
Bowers also set a new mark for most catches in a season by any NFL rookie when he surpassed Puka Nacua on Dec. 29.
There is a small chorus of scouts and analysts shouting loudly that McMillan might be the best receiver in this year’s entire draft class. ESPN’s Mel Kiper Jr. had him as the second wideout off the board — not counting Travis Hunter, after Ohio State’s Emeka Egbuka — as the hype boils over.
PFSN’s latest mock draft has McMillan going to the Carolina Panthers at No. 8 overall. There, McMillan could quickly morph into Bryce Young’s go-to perimeter guy, perfectly complementing second-year speedster Xavier Legette and reliable veteran Adam Theilen.
PFSN’s Owain Jones wrote, “Tetairoa 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.”
Tetairoa McMillan will have his chance to showcase why he may be the No. 1 WR in the Draft 👀@TMAC96795 | @ArizonaFBall | @kimmichex
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Multiple scouting reports have praised McMillan’s size in helping him to easily win jump-balls and make contested catches. His tape is littered with highlight-reel touchdown grabs, making him extra dangerous in the red zone and down near the goal line.
McMillan caught 84 balls for 1,319 yards and eight touchdowns last season. He finished with 213 receptions for 3,423 yards and 26 total touchdowns in 37 games at Arizona while averaging 16.1 yards per catch. He also possesses solid speed, clocking in at 4.5 seconds in the 40-yard dash in unofficial runs.