2025 Carolina Panthers Fantasy Preview
2025 Carolina Panthers Fantasy Preview After bottoming out in 2023, Carolina made some strides in Dave Canales’s first season. The offense improved from 32nd (265.3 yards per game) to 29th (298.0). However, the defense fell to last in 2024, and was a big focus for GM Dan Morgan in free agency and the draft. Tershawn Wharton, Tre’von Moehrig, Bobby Brown, and Pat Jones were all veteran additions, along with edge rushers Nick Scourton and Princely Umanmielen via Day Two draft selections. The club’s long rebuild made strides in Year One. Now, the young Panthers are looking to approach respectability. “All faces, all the voices blur. Change to one face, change to one voice. Prepare yourself for bed, the light seems bright and glares on white walls. All the sounds of Charlotte, sometimes.” After a rough start, Bryce Young was benched. Instead of pouting, he took it as an opportunity to learn from Andy Dalton. It worked. Young returned to the lineup in Week 8 and looked like a completely different player, especially in his deep-ball accuracy. In his final 10 starts, Young tossed 15 touchdowns compared to only six interceptions. This included three QB1 weeks in his final six outings. With an improved roster, Young has salvaged his dynasty appeal. There is hope the momentum will carry over into 2025, but Young is a lesser QB2 with some streaming potential in redraft. Chuba Hubbard (1,195 yards, 5.0 YPC) leads after a breakout 2024, with 41.8% of carries gaining 5+ yards. Hubbard received a four-year extension, cementing him as the club’s starter. He ranked 3rd with a 77.3 percent snap share and 7th in expected fantasy points per game. Hubbard is shaping up to be a solid mid-round target for #ZERORB drafters. Rico Dowdle (1,328 all-purpose yards) and fourth-rounder Trevor Etienne complement, with Etienne’s 6.2 yards after contact and return ability (9.8 yards/punt return) projecting him as a change-of-pace back. Dowdle’s 43% success rate bolsters depth, especially with Jonathon Brooks out (ACL). First-round pick Tetairoa McMillan (No. 8, Arizona) joins Adam Thielen and Xavier Legette in an improving wide receiver corps. McMillan’s 3.1 yards per route run and 12.8 yards per catch make him a good fit with Young’s downfield ability. Thielen, 34, adds reliability (4.8 catches/game), while Legette’s 14.1 yards per catch shifts to WR2. Jalen Coker, Hunter Renfrow, and sixth-rounder Jimmy Horn Jr. deepen a group with 2.6 yards per route run (12th in NFL). Tommy Tremble and Ja’Tavion Sanders will form a committee for Canales. Tremble was in on 68.4 percent of Carolina’s snaps last season and tops the depth chart. However, no Carolinas tight ends eclipsed Tremble’s 32 targets in 2024, so there is not a ton of fantasy appeal. Fantasy Grade: D QB Young, Bryce, CAR [QB1] Sitting behind Andy Dalton proved to be a valuable break for Bryce Young and a good tactic for head coach Dave Canales. Young handled the benching like a pro and looked like a brand-new quarterback by the time he reclaimed the starting job in Week 8. From that point on, Young began pushing the ball downfield and totaled 20 touchdowns. Additionally, the Panthers added the draft’s top wideout in Tetairoa McMilliam, giving Young a solid young nucleus. The hope here is that Young’s momentum carries over. If that happens, he will be a solid QB2 who will produce multiple top-10 weeks. ADVICE: Target Young as a backup with some streaming value. RB Hubbard, Chuba, CAR [RB1] Chuba Hubbard, Carolina Panthers’ lead RB, is a high-end RB2 for 2025 after a breakout 2024. He amassed 1,195 rushing yards, 10 TDs, and 43 receptions for 171 yards (RB12 in half-PPR, 14.9 PPG). Hubbard averaged 4.8 YPC and boasted an average of 2.1 yards after contact (top-10) on a 77.3 percent snap share. Hubbard’s four-year, $33.2M extension cements his role, despite Rico Dowdle’s backup presence. Fourth-round rookie Trevor Etienne will also be in the mix for touches. Hubbard’s volume-driven output and improved offensive line make him a solid target on an offense trending up. ADVICE: Hubbard remains a quality Zero RB target with top-15 upside. RB Dowdle, Rico, CAR [RB2] ADVICE: Dowdle was a feel-good story from last year, but his move to Carolina, where he’s behind newly extended Chuba Hubbard, is a significant downgrade to his fantasy value. WR McMillan, Tetairoa, CAR [WR1] The Carolina Panthers landed the 2025 NFL Draft’s top wideout, former Arizona star Tetairoa McMillian. Standing at 6-4 and weighing 220 pounds, with a 4.50 40-yard dash time, McMillan’s size and speed make him a formidable red-zone target for quarterback Bryce Young. Projected as a WR3 in his rookie season, he bolsters a passing game that, in 2024, saw 210 receptions for 2,453 yards and 18 touchdowns on 339 targets. McMillan’s big-play potential elevates Carolina’s offense, promising a dynamic aerial attack that will improve from its 30th ranking of last season. ADVICE: McMilliam gives the Panthers an alpha presence they were missing. WR3 with weekly WR2 upside. WR Legette, Xavier, CAR [WR2] Despite Carolina ranking 30th in passing last year, Xavier Legette had a decent rookie season. The former Gamecock became the Panthers’ deep threat, ranking 29th with a 12.3 ADOT and 21st with 19 deep-ball targets. Drops (5) were an issue, but Legette’s 2025 value was rising. That is, until the club selected Tetairoa McMillian with the 8th pick in the NFL Draft. That will take some of the targets away, and for Legette to blossom into a decent fantasy option, he must be utilized closer to the line of scrimmage. Not sure that’s going to happen this season. ADVICE: Legette struggled against man coverage and must develop a more nuanced route tree before he can be a reliable fantasy target. WR Thielen, Adam, CAR [WR3] Thielen remains a reliable slot receiver for the Panthers despite a 2024 hamstring injury limiting him to 10 games (48 receptions, 615 yards, 5 TDs). His 77.4 percent catch rate and chemistry with Bryce Young ensure a PPR floor, but
2025 Rookie Profile: Tetairoa McMillian
2025 Rookie Profile: Tetairoa McMillian (WR) Arizona Welcome to the 2025 fantasy football season. FullTime Fantasy‘s annual rookie profiles preview one of the top wide receivers in this class with our 2025 Rookie Profile: Tetairoa McMillian. College Resume and Stats Tetairoa McMillan, a standout wide receiver from the University of Arizona, has established himself as one of the premier talents in college football over his three-year career with the Wildcats (2022–2024). Hailing from Waimānalo, Hawaii, and later starring at Servite High School in Anaheim, California, McMillan arrived in Arizona as a five-star recruit and the highest-rated signing in program history. His college tenure was marked by consistent excellence, culminating in a decision to forgo his senior year and declare for the 2025 NFL Draft. 2022 (Freshman) – Despite sharing targets with talented teammates like Jacob Cowing and Dorian Singer, McMillan burst onto the scene with 39 receptions for 702 yards and eight touchdowns, showcasing his potential as a big-play threat. 2023 (Sophomore) – With Singer’s transfer to USC, McMillan’s role expanded. He delivered 90 receptions for 1,402 yards and 10 touchdowns, establishing himself as a go-to option for quarterback Noah Fifita. 2024 (Junior) – His final season was his most dominant, as he recorded 84 receptions for 1,319 yards and 8 touchdowns across 12 games. His standout performance came in the season opener against New Mexico, where he set a school record with 304 receiving yards and tied the program mark with four touchdown catches in one game. McMillan finished third nationally in receiving yards and earned Consensus All-American honors, the Polynesian College Football Player of the Year award, and a finalist nod for the Fred Biletnikoff Award. Career Stats (2022–2024) Receptions: 213 Receiving Yards: 3,423 (Arizona program record) Touchdowns: 26 Yards per Catch: 16.1 McMillan’s blend of size, production, and playmaking ability made him a projected first-round pick. He is the betting favorite for the WR1 mantle in the 2025 NFL Draft class. Measurables McMillian bypassed the 2025 NFL Scouting Combine to participate in Arizona’s Pro Day on March 17. His on-field performance and physical profile strongly indicate his athletic traits. Arizona WR Tetairoa McMillan Since 2023: 🔴 90.5 PFF Grade (3rd) 🔴 173 Receptions (2nd) 🔴 2,712 Yards (1st) 🔴 35 Contested Catches (1st) 🔴 70 Explosive Plays (1st) pic.twitter.com/6NaY1xMCem — PFF College (@PFF_College) March 11, 2025 Height: 6-5 Weight: 215 pounds 40-Yard Dash: 4.53 (Pro Day) some scouts had him as low as 4.48. Key Traits: He has exceptional length, a large catch radius, fluid movement for his size, and an explosive burst off the line. His body control and ability to contort for acrobatic catches stand out, paired with surprising agility on route breaks. McMillan’s rare combination of height, speed, and flexibility distinguishes him as a potential red-zone beast at the wide receiver position, drawing comparisons to elite NFL talents. 4.53 (adjusted) 40 time for tet mcmillan is perfectly fine for a dominant college receiver. no concerns. buy. pic.twitter.com/NhRTCSgrXL — The Podfather (@Fantasy_Mansion) March 18, 2025 NFL Team Fits McMillan’s skill set makes him an ideal WR1 candidate for playoff-contending or mid-tier teams looking to bolster their passing attack. However, there is no consensus if NFL teams view him as the locked-in WR1 in this class. McMillian’s dynasty rookie draft value hinges on his 2025 NFL draft range. Currently, that is as high as the eighth pick down into the 20s. After Arizona’s Pro Day, McMillian was listed as -280 to be the first wideout selected. New England Patriots (1.04) – New England needs to develop a true alpha No. 1 wide receiver to support Drake Maye. However, McMillian is not projected to go this high, and the rebuilding Patriots have myriad other holes to fill. Las Vegas Raiders (1.06) – The Raiders desperately need help at wideout. McMillian would be a huge upgrade and take pressure off Jakobi Meyers. San Francisco 49ers (1.11) – After shipping off Deebo Samuel, the Niners are rumored to be sh0pping Brandon Aiyuk. McMillian could act as San Francisco’s No. 1 receiver if Aiyuk (knee) isn’t ready in Week 1 or is moved. Dallas Cowboys (1.12) – There are rumors that Jerry Jones loves McMillian. Additionally, wide receiver is one of the club’s top 2025 NFL Draft team needs. Seattle Seahawks (1.18) – After trading DK Metcalf to Pittsburgh, the Seahawks could use a big-bodied outside threat to complement Jaxon Smith-Njigba and Cooper Kupp. Los Angeles Chargers (1.22) – The Chargers found a stud last year in Ladd McConkey. LA re-signed Mike Williams for one year, but McMillian would be a huge upgrade and long-term solution on the perimeter. NFL Comparison McMillan’s game evokes Mike Evans with a modern twist. Like Evans, he’s a 6-5 target who excels at contested catches and red-zone production. He adeptly uses his frame to box out defenders. However, McMillan adds more quickness and flexibility to his route running. That gives him a higher ceiling as a yards-after-catch threat than Evans early in his career. Think of him as Evans with shades of Drake London’s fluidity—a big-bodied receiver who moves like a smaller athlete. Fantasy Outlook For fantasy football managers, Tetairoa McMillan is a top-3 prospect in 2025 rookie drafts. His college production, physical tools, and likely high draft capital position him as a top-tier asset with WR1 upside from Day 1. In redraft leagues, he’ll be a mid-to-late round pick depending on his landing spot, with immediate WR2 potential and a trajectory toward WR1 status by Year 2. In dynasty formats, McMillan is a strong contender for the No. 2 overall rookie pick. Especially in leagues that value wide receivers’ longevity over running backs. His best-case scenario of landing with a veteran signal-caller who develops a strong red-zone rapport with McMillian could yield 80+ receptions, 1,200+ yards, and 8–10 touchdowns as a rookie. Even in a crowded situation, his talent should shine through with 60–70 catches and 900–1,000 yards. McMillan’s combination of target volume, red-zone prowess, and big-play ability makes him a high-upside target