Tetairoa McMillan
Tetairoa McMillan is a six foot five junior from Arizona that did anything and everything against a top ranked team in Kansas State you could ask from a wide receiver this weekend. Finding soft spots in zones, decimating man coverage, and making himself a factor despite sub par quarterback play. McMillan’s night started early on a long third down conversion on a crossing route from the slot for twelve yards. The third down usage in the slot continued as a choice route was called for McMillan on third and long. McMillan made the right choice by undercutting the middle field safety while his Quarterback threw the ball up field nearly resulting in an interception.
The slot was not the only place Mcmillian flashed the signs of NFL potential. Late in the second quarter Mcmillian won a down the sideline on a deep go route run from the outside. The throw was a 38 yard air ball that had a chance to be caught by anybody. Mcmillian took any chance away from any defender, effortlessly going up and getting the ball between two defenders. This play resulted in Kansas State doing everything and anything to keep the ball out of Mcmillians hands.
McMillan did not see a target for nine straight pass attempts after catching eight passes on eleven targets in the first half. This usage drought extended through the second half as Mcmillian was completely bracketed by Kansas State for the period. McMillian’s first target in the second half showed exactly what I expect to see on Sunday next year. A 22 yard out route on second and long while getting two feet down has me completely sold on McMillian’s ability at the next level.
McMillian is a high level down the field wide receiver, the only area his game would be “lacking” is the gadget department. I’m not worried about this at all. His professional comparison would have to be Mike Evans, a big body receiver with enough speed to create seperation or enough body control to make catches in traffic down the field. While the smoke and mirrors may never be a part of McMillians game, another high level receiver with a polar opposite play style also played against top tier talent this last weekend.
Luther Burden
Luther Burden III is a five foot eleven junior that had a tough start to his week three of the college football season against a top 25 Boston College team. Burden’s day consisted of him almost exclusively in the slot without much action until late into the second quarter. Burden showed his big play ability on his first target of the game with a 44 yard catch and run from a corner route in the slot. Burden’s catch and run ability can set him apart from the other top wide receivers in this class.
The next time Burden showed off this ability was a clean zig route from the slot for a 19 yard touchdown. Burden showed he’s dangerous breaking two Boston College tackles before finding his way to the end zone. Missouri should be getting the ball in Burden’s hands as much as possible, he would be the perfect candidate for a Desbo Samuel role in the NFL with an extremely similar build only giving up 10 pounds and one inch of height to his NFL counterpart.
Burden’s last eye popper came early in the third quarter with a flat route from the backfield that relied on a trips clear out to make space for the shifty wide receiver. Burden may have not been the reason he was wide open but he made the most of it taking the ball an additional 33 yards from the point of the catch. This play showed multiple instances of high level running ability between following his blocks and breaking a tackle to set his team up in the red zone. The change of pace from the slot was nice to see and leaves eager for more Burden playmaking flashes throughout this college season.
After a first half with a limited target share, Burden made the most of the opportunities presented, going for six touches on eight targets for 117 yards and a touchdown. After the slow first half, Burden showed his pro potential all over the field in Columbia this past weekend. Burden can be fantasy relevant quickly in the 2025 NFL season. The right situation can lead to a very efficient year with targets and what I imagine to be “manufactured” touches with jet sweep motions. All this being said, I worry for his boom or bust potential on the weekly basis in the NFL. Similar to the first couple years of Deboo’s career that lead fantasy managers terrified to leave 30 points on the bench or a potential 4 point start.
How They Stack Up
Dynasty fantasy drafts are littered with regret. These two players should not be responsible for any of that regret for the 2025 NFL season. While these players take completely different approaches to the wide receiver role, the production remains at a high level. Personally, I trust the consistency that comes from a firm number one receiver in Tetairoa Mcmillian over the gadget capabilities of Luther Burden III. It is a draft dilemma between rookie Deebo Samuel versus rookie Mike Evans. I will take Tetairoa McMillian with a slight edge over Luther Burden III for the consistency factor I believe will benefit fantasy owners taking McMillian near or at the top of this upcoming draft.
With that being said, Luther Burden III will not miss either, the talent can not be understated. Do not let either of these players make it to your league's primer teams this year. Both these players are extremely draftable. I can not stress this enough, if you are in need of a wide receiver this can be the perfect draft where you don’t have to trade up far or even stay put in the first round to grab a high level wideout for years to come. Do not be overly bothered if you do not get McMillian while Burden is on the board.
