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Tetairoa McMillan Prospect Preview
By Charlie Campbell
Career Recap:
Arizona had an impressive 2023 season while featuring a dangerous passing attack. Wide receiver Jacob Cowing was a known factor for 2023, but McMillan emerged as a playmaker in his second season. The sophomore caught 90 passes on the year for 1,402 yards and 10 touchdowns. McMillan also played well against Colorado star cornerback Travis Hunter. The previous season, McMillan had 39 catches for 702 yards and eight scores as a freshman.
2024 Season Outlook::
McMillan will see some quality defenses during his junior year. The rematch with Hunter is scheduled for October 19th, and that game tape will be watched throughout the NFL scouting community over the months leading up to the 2025 NFL Draft.
Prospect Summary:
NFL teams are always looking for wide receivers with No. 1 potential, and McMillan checks those boxes for the next level. McMillan is a big wide out with excellent height, length, and a superb catch radius. He really attacks the football and regularly makes highlight-reel catches. With a massive wingspan, McMillan is an asset for his quarterback as he can make difficult catches in the middle of the field or along the sideline. McMillan does a superb job of coming back to the football and he really helps his quarterback with how he undercuts coverage and reduces the time of the ball in flight. McMillan is an effective red zone, and third down the weapon to make a play for his quarterback when nothing is open and a ball needs to be thrown up for grabs.
McMillan flashes yards after the catch ability for the next level. There are times when McMillan seems to struggle at breaking tackles, but then other times, he does a superb job of maintaining his balance while bouncing off his defenders. If he gets a little stronger, that could make him more effective as a yards-after-the-catch receiver. McMillan is effective on wide receiver screens and has a nose for getting first down or scoring yardage.
McMillan is quicker than he is fast, and he has enough speed to get downfield or find soft spots in zones. While McMillan is not a burner by NFL standards, he has enough quickness to do damage downfield. McMillan is a big receiver who will make amazing leaping grabs, but he could stand to get better at making contested catches. He won’t be a huge separation wideout at the pro level, so continuing to improve his ability to out-fight defenders and win contested catches is necessary. McMillan could stand to get stronger and more physical with defenders. He has the size to be that kind of receiver but with some development.
As a pro, McMillan looks like a starting outside X or Z receiver with the potential to be a key contributor to his team’s passing attack.
2025 NFL Draft Expectations:
Entering the 2024 season, McMillan looks like he has first- or second-round potential for the 2025 NFL Draft. It will depend on him staying healthy and how he plays in 2024 while also running well in pre-draft workouts.
RELATED LINKS:
NFL Picks - Nov. 20
2025 NFL Mock Draft - Nov. 20
NFL Power Rankings - Nov. 19
Fantasy Football Rankings - Sept. 4