Tetairoa McMillan Criticized by NFL OC For 'Not Running Routes Full Speed'

Tetairoa McMillan may have reportedly clocked a 40-yard dash speed of 4.48 seconds, but some NFL scouts are apparently concerned he's not using that speed when running routes.

One NFL coordinator told ESPN's Jeremy Fowler that "the good is really good, but the bad is pretty bad" with the Arizona wide receiver.

"The good is elite ball skills, burst after the catch. The bad is not running routes full speed," the coordinator told Fowler.

An NFL offensive coach meanwhile told Fowler: "I like him a lot— he's not Randy Moss at 6-4 just running past everyone, but he catches everything around 10 yards and closer to the line of scrimmage, and he can physically get people off him to use his long arms to snag it.

"In a perfect world he'd be like the next Michael Thomas."

McMillan is listed as the No. 1 wide receiver and No. 8 overall prospect on Bleacher Report's latest 2025 NFL Draft Big Board.

Fowler writes that there are no wide receivers "unquestionably tracking for the top 10" outside of wideout/cornerback Travis Hunter, listed as B/R's No. 1 overall prospect at CB.

But Fowler believes McMillan is in the running alongside Texas wide receiver Matthew Golden and Ohio State wideout Emeka Egbuka to be the first receiver taken off the board later this month.

McMillan has previously received comparisons to Mike Evans, but Fowler expressed doubt about their similarity due to their difference in their arm lengths and weights (Evans, 35 1/8" and 231 pounds; McMillan, 31 1/2" and 219 pounds) as well as their ability to create separation.

McMillan received more than 80 targets and topped 1,300 receiving yards in consecutive college seasons despite Arizona's move to face Big 12 competition last year.

His heavy workload in college, as well as what B/R NFL scout Dame Parson noted was his ability to line up "all over the Wildcats' offensive formation— X, Z, and the slot," will likely make high-drafting teams in need of a top target take a serious look at taking McMillan before Golden and Egbuka. Bleacher Report's latest mock draft has McMillan joining the Carolina Panthers with the No. 8 pick when the draft kicks off on April 24 in Green Bay.