San Francisco 49ers coach Kyle Shanahan has high praise for Carolina Panthers wide receiver Tetairoa McMillan, predicting he will soon become one of the NFL's top receivers. McMillan recently had a standout performance in a win over the Atlanta Falcons. The Panthers face the 49ers on Monday night.
Tetairoa McMillan, the No. 8 overall pick by the Carolina Panthers in the 2025 NFL Draft, is drawing attention from around the league. Coming off his best game yet, McMillan caught eight of 12 targets for 130 yards and two touchdowns in the Panthers' 30-27 overtime victory against the Atlanta Falcons. That performance broke through what was statistically the NFL's No. 1 pass defense until that point, according to Falcons coach Raheem Morris.
Ahead of the Panthers' Monday night matchup with the 49ers, San Francisco coach Kyle Shanahan shared his admiration for McMillan, whom he scouted closely during the draft process. "I think he's a stud," Shanahan said. "He's going to be one of the best receivers in this league sooner than later. He's got all the skill sets to do it and I think he's just getting started."
McMillan's college career at Arizona set the stage for his pro success. In 2024, he recorded 84 receptions for 1,319 yards and eight touchdowns, earning consensus All-American honors and First Team All-Big 12 recognition. Over his final three seasons, he led the FBS with 3,423 receiving yards, setting an Arizona program record. He also had 35 career receptions of 20-plus air yards, the most in the FBS from 2022-24. At 6-foot-5 and 212 pounds, McMillan ties for the tallest wide receiver drafted in the top 10 during the Common Draft Era, alongside players like Mike Evans and Calvin Johnson.
In 11 NFL games this season, McMillan has 54 receptions for 748 yards and four touchdowns, ranking tied for 15th in receptions and tied for 22nd in yards per reception league-wide. He became the second rookie in Panthers history to post 100 receiving yards and two touchdowns in a single game, joining David Gettis from 2010. His numbers put him on pace to surpass previous franchise rookie records, including Kelvin Benjamin's 1,008 yards, DJ Moore's output, and Keary Colbert's marks.
McMillan's surge has elevated him in the Offensive Rookie of the Year race. Current FanDuel Sportsbook odds list him at +400, behind only Tampa Bay Buccaneers' Emeka Egbuka at +150, with Indianapolis Colts' Tyler Warren, New York Giants' Jaxson Dart, and New England Patriots' TreVeyon Henderson trailing.