Tetairoa McMillan checks almost every box for a modern WR1. He’s got the size (6’4″, 219 lbs), the body control, the contested catch magic, and the production to back it all up. Whether it’s the Packers doing their homework or the Cowboys staring down pick No. 12 in ESPN’s mock, McMillan has found himself on two of the league’s biggest stages heading into Thursday’s NFL Draft.
First, Green Bay’s been nose-deep in McMillan’s tape. Brian Gutekunst personally attended his private workout. Plus, they hosted him on an official visit. This is a franchise that’s seen what a real X-receiver can do—and they’re clearly interested. Then, the same goes for Dallas. As ESPN’s Todd Archer spelled it out: “The Cowboys need playmakers for Dak Prescott… McMillan fills that role.”
The fit next to CeeDee Lamb? Tantalizing. Single coverage, jump balls, red zone nightmares for DBs. Add the fact that McMillan had just two drops on 136 targets last season, and you start wondering why he isn’t a top-10 lock.
But then the red flags waved. Something that Brian Schottenheimer must be wary of. Yes, especially him because he has Jerry Jones as the GM/Owner calling the shots. And if Brian does feel that no, let’s not go ahead with Tet. Well, he’s got a huge task bringing JJ to come to an agreement with that. Todd McShay didn’t sugarcoat it: “I don’t trust him… Tet didn’t like to work out and practice hard unless a scout was in attendance. Showed up on the routes: quitting on balls over the middle of the field. Didn’t think he showed attention to details.”
“I wouldn’t draft him because of that.”
Dan and ET are seeing red flags after comments resurfaced from Arizona WR/NFL Draft Prospect Tetairoa McMillan.#Jaguars | #duuuval pic.twitter.com/tXo27izddw
— 1010 XL / 92.5 FM (@1010XL) April 23, 2025
Dan & ET from 1010XL/92.5 FM echoed the concerns. “Tet McMillan goes against intangibly rich,” one said. The viral clip didn’t help either—McMillan admitting he didn’t like football. Flat out: “No, not at all.” On film study? “I don’t ever need to watch a film myself.”
That’s nuclear-level concern for front offices. Not liking film is one thing. But admitting it out loud on a podcast? That’s a whole different game. Still, scouts aren’t unified here. Some, like Nate Tice, have McMillan as the top WR on their boards—yes, even above Emeka Egbuka and Matthew Golden.
Tice raved about his ability to play to his size, win off the line, and make circus catches feel routine. McMillan doesn’t run a 4.3. But he manipulates tempo, separates with burst, and wins vertically through ball skills and nuance—not raw speed.
So, the Bottom line? Packers and Cowboys are circling. But they’ve got to decide: is this the next DeAndre Hopkins—or a trap wrapped in five-star measurables and Day 3 mentality? The reviews are divided. And when that’s the case, it’s usually better to pass.
Maybe Jerry Jones is here to listen this time
Jerry Jones has got that glimmer again. You know the one—where he leans into the mic, tosses out the phrase “substantive trades,” and watches the room lean forward. But this isn’t just bluster. Not this time. Hopefully!
Coming off Tuesday’s pre-draft press conference, the Cowboys owner dropped the line: “We’re working on some pretty substantive trades.” That alone would’ve lit the fuse. But 24 hours later? Multiple sources confirm Dallas isn’t just browsing. Instead, they’re making and taking calls.
We’re not just talking depth pieces either. Dallas has been active trading for linebacker Kenneth Murray Jr. from Tennessee and Kaiir Elam from Buffalo. Cue in the radio silence… For all of the, ‘Has the 82 -year-old JJ finally matured?’ talks to this. That’s not the fireworks fans have been begging for since Amari Cooper flew in back in 2018.
So, what’s different now? The Cowboys have cap space—over $37 million, per NFLPA figures. And Jones, who hasn’t made a first-round pick swap since the Micah Parsons deal in 2021, might be eyeing another.
“Believe me, if we could sign Micah to a number we wanted to sign him to, we’d do it right now,” said Stephen Jones. And that’s where this gets real. Micah’s extension talks are humming. He’s showing up. He’s buying in. And Jerry? He’s noticing.
“He knows how important his work is around here,” Jerry said. “Micah just has to be elevated in his leadership and will be.” So, do it already because that ‘important’ asset might not be around to say ok to the leftovers.
So, long story short: you read between those lines, and it sounds like Jerry’s playing the long game—lining up leadership, aligning big contracts, and maybe… finally listening to the roster instead of the spotlight.
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