10
Loading video...
By Rowan Fisher-Shotton
0
Share
Newsweek is a Trust Project member
See more of our trusted coverage when you search.Prefer Newsweek on Googleto see more of our trusted coverage when you search.
The Carolina Panthers spent a third-round pick this year on Tennessee's All-SEC wide receiver Chris Brazzell II. Then just days into training camp, he went down with a left LCL tear and was placed on season-ending injured reserve.
In a moment like that, teams might look to the free agent market to add another reliable receiver to the room. But the Panthers didn't — and maybe that's because they already have one of the best young receivers in the NFL, Tetairoa McMillan, ready to shoulder a bigger workload.
Jalen Coker received an extension in the offseason as well, and former first-round pick Xavier Legette is still pushing for a bigger role, but McMillan has already shown glimpses of being an elite WR1. He proved that again Wednesday.
Read More on NFL
During practice in Charlotte, McMillan pulled off an agile one-on-one move on veteran cornerback Mike Jackson, beating him off the line of scrimmage to create separation and walking in for a touchdown. Later in the day, he showed his chemistry with quarterback Bryce Young, connecting on multiple plays.
Head coach Dave Canales praised the young wideout Wednesday, saying he's gotten "bigger and stronger" this offseason. "At the line of scrimmage, just hasn't really had an issue this camp," Canales said. "Getting off the line, I think that he's really translating all the work he did in the offseason ... I'm really excited where he's at."
More news: Aaron Rodgers ‘Bummed’ About NFL’s Decision for Packers-Steelers Game
...
More news: Travis Kelce Gives Encouraging Update on Patrick Mahomes’ Recovery
McMillan, a 6-foot-5, 212-pound receiver out of Arizona, was the eighth overall pick in last year's draft and the consensus top wideout in his class. He showed why in his rookie season in Carolina, hauling in 70 catches on 122 targets for 1,014 yards and seven touchdowns — leading the team in all three categories.
He's an elite, big-bodied receiver with the hands, physicality, and prototypical size teams want in a No. 1 option, drawing comparisons coming into the draft to players like Drake London, Tee Higgins, and Mike Evans.
Looking ahead to Year 2 in Carolina, he's expected to take another leap and establish himself among the NFL's elite. If he surpasses last year's totals, he could flirt with Pro Bowl and All-Pro honors, especially with more targets up for grabs now that Brazzell is out of the picture.
More news: Dolphins Lose Star Defender to Unknown Injury 48 Hours Before Preseason Opener
View 0 Comments
Submit Correction
View Editorial & AI Guidelines