Tetairoa McMillan vs George Pickens

“Panthers WR Tetairoa McMillan noted that the game has slowed down for him since he first entered the league, and he feels he has a firm grasp of the playbook: "It's definitely slowed down. Obviously, second year in the playbook. I'm not a rookie anymore to where new things come flying at me. The game's a lot slower, and I got a year under my belt, 18 games, so I feel good right now."”

“McMillan was quietly a fantasy star as a rookie despite Carolina's inconsistent passing attack, finishing as the WR15, averaging 8.3 non-PPR fantasy points per game. Furthermore, he was the team's best weapon in the red zone, totaling seven receiving touchdowns, more than double the next closest Panther.”

“Tetairoa McMillan (15th in total WR points last year) is going for an average auction value less than their projection.”

“Tetairoa McMillan's consensus ADP is WR19, whereas he's the WR11 on MFL. As a rookie last season, McMillan led the Panthers in target share by a wide margin at 25.4%, though when Jalen Coker was on the field, McMillan's target share dropped to 18.5%. McMillan can volume his way to a respectable fantasy line, but his touchdown upside could be limited given the Panthers' third-hardest schedule and Bryce Young's poor performance against winning records.”

“Panthers WR Tetairoa McMillan is coming off a successful debut season, winning the 2025 Offensive Rookie of the Year. Although McMillan was glad to win the award, he's more concerned with their team's results.”

“2025 first-round receiver Tetairoa McMillian, who eclipsed 1,000 receiving yards as a rookie.”

“Among rookie wide receivers in the 2025 NFL season, only three (Tetairoa McMillan, Emeka Egbuka, and Luther Burden III) managed to crack the 600 receiving yards mark.”

“Tetaiora McMillan generated significant intrigue because of the upside tied to his profile and potential long-term role. The discussion focused on the possibility that he develops into a true featured receiving option. There was acknowledgment that younger receivers often come with volatility, but the talent and opportunity combination clearly made McMillan one of the more exciting names in this tier.”

“Guys like Tetairoa McMillan and Jalen Coker are better served in the short and intermediate range.”

“Instead of leaning on veterans like Davante Adams or Terry McLaurin, he prioritized players still climbing into larger roles like: Tetairoa McMillan.”

“Tetairoa McMillan is talented enough to eventually overcome difficult environments, but rookie receivers tied to unstable quarterback situations tend to produce frustrating weekly volatility.”

“If Carolina continues operating a slower, balanced offense built around shorter passing concepts and limiting shootouts, McMillan may struggle to consistently produce massive fantasy totals even with strong target volume.”

“George Pickens had a monster first year with the Cowboys, catching 93 passes for 1,429 yards.”

“Atlanta's Pitts extension leaves George Pickens as the only player left on a tag. The Cowboys are not expected to extend or trade Pickens this year.”

“Dallas simply wants Pickens to prove last season was not a contract-year spike. They are hoping the former Steeler can not only be as effective between the lines in 2026 as he was in '25 (93/1,493/9), but also that he can stave off the maturity issues that ultimately forced Pittsburgh to trade him to the Cowboys in the first place.”

“While Pickens is reportedly concerned about the prospect of being tagged a second time in 2027, he appreciated that Dallas brass was candid with him about the fact that a multiyear extension would not be in the cards this year, and he signed his franchise tender in early April. Pickens, 25, also attended mandatory minicamp and will not hold out of training camp, and the tenor of the situation presently suggests a "hold-in" will not be in the offing either.”

“Pickens had a breakout season in his first year with the Cowboys, finishing as the WR5, averaging 17.2 PPR fantasy points per game. He averaged 8.7 targets and 26.3 fantasy points per game with CeeDee Lamb sidelined, but averaged 7.9 targets and 15.2 with Lamb playing.”

“George Pickens is willing to play on the franchise tag and focus his efforts on helping the team win a Super Bowl before worrying about his contract. "It's football first, you see what I mean?" Pickens said. "So definitely play football first, kind of like I did last year, and then worry about, well, let my agent worry about [contract] talk[s]...What's important to me is winning."”

“Last year I made the case that George Pickens projected very similarly to Tee Higgins despite a two-round ADP discount. I'd maintain that they project similarly again in 2026, albeit with their ADPs in reverse order.”

“There is concern in Pickens' camp about Dallas using the franchise tag once again next spring, as second tags are worth 120% of the original ones, which would cost Dallas $32.76MM in 2027.”

“Pickens set new career highs in several categories and was among the league leaders in terms of production in his first season with Dallas in 2025.”

“After coming over in a spring 2025 trade with Pittsburgh, he went from a solid receiver to a star. Playing his fourth season, the former Georgia standout easily set career highs in catches (93), targets (137), yards (1,429) and touchdowns (nine). He ranked anywhere from third to eighth in the league in all three of those categories and receptions of 20-plus yards (22). Pickens earned second-team All-Pro honors as a result.”

“Dak Prescott says he hasn't thrown to George Pickens since April, but isn't concerned about his absence from team activities. "I'm excited about when he gets in and the work that we're going to have to build off of," Prescott said. "But George is George, and he's fine."”

“Dallas HC Brian Schottenheimer said WR George Pickens is not at OTAs because of a football camp and expects the wideout to attend mandatory minicamp in a few weeks.”