A review and breakdown of first-round predictions for the Green Bay Packers in final 2025 mock drafts from a few of the most prominent analysts in the business:
The mock draft: Nate Tice and Charles McDonald, Yahoo Sports
The pick: WR Tetairoa McMillan, Arizona
The reasoning: “The Packers don’t historically draft wide receivers in the first round (Javon Walker was their last first-round WR all the way back in 2002), but I think McMillan falling into their laps would change the Packers’ modus operandi. McMillan has the size the Packers covet at the position and would complement their young receiver group nicely. His upside as a true No. 1 would allow the other Packers players to slot into more fitting roles, plus give them someone who can actually beat man coverage on their roster (something that hindered them greatly in 2024). A McMillan-Jayden Reed-Tucker Kraft-Romeo Doubs pass-catching group (with Luke Musgrave, Dontayvion Wicks and an injured Christian Watson on the roster) has great synergy and would be exciting to watch with Jordan Love. I’m trying to manifest this one.”
Our breakdown: Keep trying to manifest this one, guys. McMillan falling to No. 23 overall has to be considered one of the top scenarios for the Packers on Thursday night. McMillan is big and agile, can play the X or in the slot, was productive immediately as a true freshman and dominant as a true sophomore and true junior, and could immediately give Jordan Love a ball-winning top target in the passing game. The point from Tice and McDonald about McMillan allowing others to settle into more defined roles is a good one. This is the type of receiver who could complete the room and lift the potential of everyone around him, including Love. McMillan is a top-12 player in the class who perfectly fits what the Packers need at an important position. Imagine getting a 22-year-old version of Tee Higgins without an injury history. That’s McMillan. The Packers did a ton of work on him during the pre-draft process, and he was teammates with Jordan Morgan at Arizona. They’ll have a good feel for the player. If he’s the pick at No. 23, it’s celebration time in Green Bay.
The player info
- WR Tetairoa McMillan
- Height: 6-4
- Weight: 213
- Age: 22
- 40-yard dash: 4.53
- Vertical leap: DNP
- Broad jump: DNP
- Three-cone: DNP
- Short shuttle: DNP
- Bench press: DNP
- RAS: N/A
- Pre-draft visit: Yes
- Senior Bowl: No (third-year junior)
- Consensus big board rank: 11
Draft profile from Lance Zierlein: “Possession receiver with the size and ball skills to create big wins deep. He’s a linear route-runner who wears press coverage early and coasts too often on deep routes, but he has a feel for uncovering underneath and can play over the top of cornerbacks for easier jump-ball wins. McMillan is instinctive with a feel for adjusting his routes and working back on throws to make the quarterback’s job easier. He needs to show more consistent play speed and physicality to protect his workspace. His elite ball skills set him apart, though, providing a higher floor as a “Z” option with mismatch value in the slot.”
This article originally appeared on Packers Wire: Packers get Arizona WR Tetairoa McMillan in Tice/McDonald final 2025 mock draft
A review and breakdown of first-round predictions for the Green Bay Packers in final 2025 mock drafts from a few of the most prominent analysts in the business:
The mock draft: Nate Tice and Charles McDonald, Yahoo Sports
The pick: WR Tetairoa McMillan, Arizona
The reasoning: “The Packers don’t historically draft wide receivers in the first round (Javon Walker was their last first-round WR all the way back in 2002), but I think McMillan falling into their laps would change the Packers’ modus operandi. McMillan has the size the Packers covet at the position and would complement their young receiver group nicely. His upside as a true No. 1 would allow the other Packers players to slot into more fitting roles, plus give them someone who can actually beat man coverage on their roster (something that hindered them greatly in 2024). A McMillan-Jayden Reed-Tucker Kraft-Romeo Doubs pass-catching group (with Luke Musgrave, Dontayvion Wicks and an injured Christian Watson on the roster) has great synergy and would be exciting to watch with Jordan Love. I’m trying to manifest this one.”
Our breakdown: Keep trying to manifest this one, guys. McMillan falling to No. 23 overall has to be considered one of the top scenarios for the Packers on Thursday night. McMillan is big and agile, can play the X or in the slot, was productive immediately as a true freshman and dominant as a true sophomore and true junior, and could immediately give Jordan Love a ball-winning top target in the passing game. The point from Tice and McDonald about McMillan allowing others to settle into more defined roles is a good one. This is the type of receiver who could complete the room and lift the potential of everyone around him, including Love. McMillan is a top-12 player in the class who perfectly fits what the Packers need at an important position. Imagine getting a 22-year-old version of Tee Higgins without an injury history. That’s McMillan. The Packers did a ton of work on him during the pre-draft process, and he was teammates with Jordan Morgan at Arizona. They’ll have a good feel for the player. If he’s the pick at No. 23, it’s celebration time in Green Bay.
The player info
- WR Tetairoa McMillan
- Height: 6-4
- Weight: 213
- Age: 22
- 40-yard dash: 4.53
- Vertical leap: DNP
- Broad jump: DNP
- Three-cone: DNP
- Short shuttle: DNP
- Bench press: DNP
- RAS: N/A
- Pre-draft visit: Yes
- Senior Bowl: No (third-year junior)
- Consensus big board rank: 11
Draft profile from Lance Zierlein: “Possession receiver with the size and ball skills to create big wins deep. He’s a linear route-runner who wears press coverage early and coasts too often on deep routes, but he has a feel for uncovering underneath and can play over the top of cornerbacks for easier jump-ball wins. McMillan is instinctive with a feel for adjusting his routes and working back on throws to make the quarterback’s job easier. He needs to show more consistent play speed and physicality to protect his workspace. His elite ball skills set him apart, though, providing a higher floor as a “Z” option with mismatch value in the slot.”
This article originally appeared on Packers Wire: Packers get Arizona WR Tetairoa McMillan in Tice/McDonald final 2025 mock draft
