CHARLOTTE — The Panthers might have thought about trading, but the chance to get a big target on offense was too much to pass up.
With the No. 8 pick in the draft, the Panthers chose Arizona wide receiver Tetairoa McMillan.
At 6-foot-4, 219 pounds, McMillan presents a massive target. And with the numbers he put up in three years at Arizona, it's clear he knows how to use his size.
He averaged 18.0 yards per catch as a freshman, and continued to make big plays. He caught 90 passes for 1,402 yards in his second season, with 10 touchdowns. Even though last year's numbers were down a hair, they were still impressive (84 catches for 1,319 yards and eight touchdowns.
Averaging 16.1 yards per reception for his career proves his big-play ability, which he partially owes to his volleyball and basketball past. When asked what part of his game was underrated, he said "my explosiveness," which says plenty considering his stats.
Coupled with a 34-inch vertical and 10-inch hands, getting in the air is where he wins.
And now, Bryce Young has another big target to go along with last year's No. 1 overall choice, Xavier Legette.
View photos of wide receiver Tetairoa McMillan during his years at Arizona, drafted by Carolina in the first round of the 2025 NFL Draft.
Arizona Wildcats wide receiver Tetairoa McMillan (4) during an NCAA college football game against New Mexico Saturday, Aug. 31, 2024, in Tucson, Ariz. (AP Photo/Darryl Webb)
Arizona wide receiver Tetairoa McMillan (4) during an NCAA football game against Texas Tech on Saturday, Oct. 5, 2024, in Tucson, Ariz. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)
Arizona wide receiver Tetairoa McMillan (4) dives for the ball over West Virginia cornerback Garnett Hollis Jr. in the second half during an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Oct. 26, 2024, in Tucson, Ariz. West Virginia won 31-26. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)
Arizona wide receiver Tetairoa McMillan (4) makes the one handed catch defended by Utah defensive end Logan Fano (0) during an NCAA college football game Saturday, Sept. 28, 2024, in Salt Lake City, Utah. (AP Photo/Tyler Tate)
Arizona wide receiver Tetairoa McMillan, left, scores a touchdown as New Mexico cornerback Bobby Arnold III (0) pursues during the second half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Aug. 31, 2024, in Tucson, Ariz. (AP Photo/Darryl Webb)
Arizona wide receiver Tetairoa McMillan (4) in the first half during an NCAA college football game against Arizona State, Saturday, Nov. 25, 2023, in Tempe, Ariz. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)
Arizona Wildcats wide receiver Tetairoa McMillan (4) during an NCAA college football game against New Mexico Saturday, Aug. 31, 2024, in Tucson, Ariz. (AP Photo/Darryl Webb)
Arizona wide receiver Tetairoa McMillan (4) runs away from West Virginia linebacker Tyrin Bradley Jr. in the first half during an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Oct. 26, 2024, in Tucson, Ariz. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)
Arizona wide receiver Tetairoa McMillan (4) during an NCAA football game against Texas Tech on Saturday, Oct. 5, 2024, in Tucson, Ariz. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)
Arizona wide receiver Tetairoa McMillan (4) makes the catch and pushes away Utah cornerback Zemaiah Vaughn (5) to run for the first down during an NCAA college football game Saturday, Sept. 28, 2024, in Salt Lake City. (AP Photo/Tyler Tate)
Arizona wide receiver Tetairoa McMillan (4) catches a touchdown pass in front of UCLA defensive back John Humphrey during the second half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Nov. 4, 2023, in Tucson, Ariz. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)
Arizona wide receiver Tetairoa McMillan runs the ball during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Kansas State Friday, Sept. 13, 2024, in Manhattan, Kan. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)
Arizona wide receiver Tetairoa McMillan (4) runs against TCU cornerback Channing Canada (7) during the first half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Nov. 23, 2024, in Fort Worth, Texas. (AP Photo/LM Otero)
