Could Bucs Shock The NFL With Tetairoa McMillan?
April 16th, 2025
Arizona receiver Tetairoa McMillan slipping to Bucs?
Joe has to confess to still walking around in a daze, thinking life is a weird episode of the “Twilight Zone” after hearing Todd Bowles talk about the benefits of scoring points from the owners meetings two weeks ago in Palm Beach.
“I learned that you win by scoring points,” Bowles said. “I don’t ever want to bypass a very good offensive player. I can figure things out enough on defense to keep us competitive.”
While that is certainly to hear from Bowles, would he actually put that statement into practice next week when the draft gets underway?
Joe brings this up because it seems the No. 1 full-time receiver on draft boards, Tetairoa McMillan of Arizona, seems to be losing luster off of his stardom, as Joe has heard from analysts. They say he may not be the non-diva that Mike Evans and Chris Godwin are. (And it appears Jalen McMillan may be a non-diva as well).
Additionally, Tetairoa McMillan doesn’t love football the way some guys do, per the analysts. Sometimes — Joe’s words here — McMillan may half-ass it on the field.
On the flip side is folks who claim the 6-4 stud McMillan was playing hurt all year.
Good guy Brian Baldinger of NFL Network hopped on VSiN to chat with Nick Kostos and Femi Abebefe, co-hosting “You Better, You Bet.” There, Baldinger said McMillan might not even be the second full-time receiver selected.
Baldinger seems to think Texas stud Matthew Golden will be the first receiver not named “Travis Hunter” off the board, possibly followed by Ohio State’s Godwin clone, Emeka Egbuka. That would very likely push McMillan down the board at No. 19 where the Bucs pick, despite McMillan’s serious talents.
So if McMillan happens falls to the Bucs, does Bowles back up his words from the owners meetings and beg Bucs AC/DC-loving general manager Jason Licht to turn the card in on McMillan? Or, are McMillan’s hangups too much for Licht and the Bucs to gamble on?
"I think it's gonna be Matthew Golden."@BaldyNFL tells @TheKostos & @FemiAbebefe why he sees Golden being the first WR drafted (without Travis Hunter).
Get set for the NFL Draft with Nick, Femi, & Baldy on the NFL Draft ➡️ https://t.co/MRvm9vL4vh pic.twitter.com/f2LRflhEuJ
— You Better You Bet (@YouBetterYouBet) April 16, 2025
April 16th, 2025 at 7:18 am
So if McMillan happens to fall to the Bucs, does Bowles back up his words from the owners meetings and order Bucs AC/DC-loving general manager Jason Licht to turn the card in on McMillan?
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Bowles is in charge of who the team selects in the draft? Never heard that before.
April 16th, 2025 at 7:21 am
Too many good NON-DIVAS around in rounds 3 and 4 to take Tetairoa. Xavier Restrepo is very interesting and double tough.
April 16th, 2025 at 7:24 am
Yea Joe’s…”I’m gonna go ahead and need you to explain The Twilight Zone to your younger readers.” (Said in the voice of Bill Lumbergh; aka Gary Cole, the supervisor from Office Space.)
April 16th, 2025 at 7:27 am
its tempting, we run mostly 3 WR’s sets.
April 16th, 2025 at 7:40 am
Whoever has the most points at the end of the game wins.
April 16th, 2025 at 7:40 am
Trade the pick to a team really wanting him, move back a few spots and get an additional pick
April 16th, 2025 at 7:41 am
Yeah, no need to fix the defense just keep scoring points.
April 16th, 2025 at 7:45 am
Even if a rookie wr IS a diva, I’d have to think he’d shut his pie hole when he’s in a locker room with Evans and Godwin
April 16th, 2025 at 7:49 am
He’s a physical clone of Mike Evans—comparable in height, weight, and speed. Coming out of college, I’d say he’s actually more refined in his route running and a more natural pass catcher. He would be an outstanding first-round selection.
Imagine transitioning from Evans and Godwin to the McMillans over the next three years with little to no drop-off in offensive production. Plus, Baker would have time to develop chemistry with them in the offense creating an almost seemless transition.
That said, if he falls a bit, the smarter move might be to trade back. Green Bay, the Chargers, or even the Chiefs could be willing trade partners. Kansas City, in particular, might be willing to give up significant draft capital to pair that kind of talent with Mahomes—possibly two first-round picks, a third, and a sixth if he’s still on the board.
So would you lean toward taking McMillan if he’s there at, pick 19? Or are you more inclined to play the long game and accumulate picks in a deeper class? This one is really really hard and one of the only reasons I wouldn’t want to be a GM…. Other than that seems like a DREAM JOB!!
April 16th, 2025 at 7:52 am
Does Bowles order Jason Licht? I don’t think a lame duck coach is ordering Jason Licht to do anything. He better coach his defense up this season, or he’ll be retiring.
April 16th, 2025 at 7:56 am
Better receivers later in the draft this guy is overrated!
April 16th, 2025 at 8:03 am
With a Highlander name like McMillan…there can be only one
April 16th, 2025 at 8:04 am
Hodad Says:
April 16th, 2025 at 7:52 am
Does Bowles order Jason Licht?
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Trying to figure that out too. Went back and read that three times thinking I might have misunderstood what Joe wrote. If Bowles does make the final call on who the team selects in the draft that is kind of big news.
April 16th, 2025 at 8:10 am
Throw in a Brady, and it still didn’t seem to stop AB. If a guy is showing diva in college, what’s he gonna be when he gets that fat NFL check (fatter than his college checks)
April 16th, 2025 at 8:21 am
Xavier Restrapo is a name that keeps getting floated but he is 5’10 so not a good option for Baker. We need another tall receiver at least 6ft tall. Go look at our list of receivers.. all 6ft or taller. We need another Mike Evans clone or Chris Godwin clone.
April 16th, 2025 at 8:23 am
Honestly, I take it back. I think we skip a receiver this draft and focus on developing Devin Culp. He was smoking defenders last year. I bet he comes into TE1b with Otton being TE1a this year. If we cannot snag a really good WR who is tall and fast in the first round that is highly rated then we should take a flyer on someone later in the rounds. Or finally develop Trey Palmer
April 16th, 2025 at 8:24 am
Not if he doesn’t love the game. You have to get guys that love the game.
April 16th, 2025 at 8:25 am
Tet has said that he doesn’t watch football, including film….. sorry, but I’m not interested in taking a wr who doesn’t love football or want to watch film in the first round. Not when we’ve got 3 good damn WRs already. If tet loves the game then maybe, but it doesn’t seem that way. I don’t trust this dude at all.
April 16th, 2025 at 8:33 am
Guys, yes, Licht is in charge. But as Ira has said on his podcast Licht would never draft a player Bowles didn’t want.
April 16th, 2025 at 8:34 am
Yeah, I get the ME comparison. Everybody wants the next Mike Evans. Who doesn’t want a human cheat code in the red zone? But let’s get real.
Mike’s got arms like tree branches — 95th percentile, baby. That’s up there with condors and those wacky inflatable tube men.
His wingspan? 99th percentile. That’s not just elite — that’s “we had to make a new chart” elite.
Now let’s talk about Tetairoa McMillan. Nice kid. Good college tape. But arm length? 41st percentile. Wingspan? 65th percentile. Better, but still not scaring any defenders in the end zone.
I’ve seen Mike Evans do things in the red zone that should come with a warning label. Year after year, the dude’s been turning cornerbacks into spectators. You can’t coach wingspan. You can’t coach the “go-go-gadget” touchdown grabs.
Every few drafts, someone trots out a supposed Mike Evans clone (Drake London) A taller, thicker WR and wow he ran a great speed.
But guess what? They don’t have that wingspan. They don’t have that body control.
So sure, ok to dream that we can replace him and find a clone. But once we wake up, we should realize, Mike Evans is a one-of-one. A biological outlier.
ME ain’t just a player. He is the problem for other teams, a freak of red zone nature who keeps proving physics wrong — and loving it.
April 16th, 2025 at 8:38 am
My blanket, over generalized thought is that losing teams exclusively pick for need. Despite the Bucs various needs on defense, if the clear cut best available player available is on offense, you take him. I’m telling you right now, if Tyler freaking Warren is there at 19, you take the gd freaking transcendent talent. Do not care about Cade Ottons feelings or anyone that are under the illusion that he’s a franchise tight end. A Brock bowers type would make the offense unstoppable, BUT idk if McMillan is that guy to bypass a need for. I’m more than happy to take a receiver or te if the player available is “gotta have it,” but overall the draft is pretty weak and wouldn’t be at all surprised if they traded down as well
April 16th, 2025 at 8:42 am
“I learned that you win by scoring points,” Bowles said
Joe seems to think this is better than the invention of sliced bread.
How is this some mesmerizing revelation?
Any pee wee league football coach worth his salt knows this fact.
But for the defensive guru it takes over six decades to sink in.
We are beyond doomed with this man at the helm.
28-27
April 16th, 2025 at 8:48 am
@ FirstLast
“Xavier Restrapo is a name that keeps getting floated but he is 5’10 so not a good option for Baker.”
Not only is Restrepo a smallish WR he only ran a 4.85 40yd dash at the combine…
It’s one thing to be a smaller target but a small and slow target?
No thanks.
And that is coming from a Cane fan.
April 16th, 2025 at 8:49 am
ChiBuc…
Yes, there can be only one. Every time they call out the name McMillan, we’ll have to try and figure out which receiver they’re talking about. Announcers will have to call out “McMillan 15” or use their entire name, first and last. Will get annoying after a while.
Easy way to fix that is…
Draft an edge or D lineman and and get back to 2020 but with younger trench warriors than we had back then.
Trade down getting more players and possibly grabbing Campbell at a lower pick. And still get a WR but one that’s not a diva and has a different last name. Still draft trenches in any round.
BPA for whatever our draft wizards think. They’ve created the Golden board for 3 years after all.
Whatever will happen will happen… in just a week!!
April 16th, 2025 at 8:50 am
Whether we trade back or not, the first two picks will be defense. I give it a 0.01% chance they go offense with either. Not happening, Bowles’ words are by design. It’s always smart to keep everyone guessing in April.
April 16th, 2025 at 9:00 am
LB3 @ 19
April 16th, 2025 at 9:04 am
Jayden Higgins > Tetairoa McMillan
April 16th, 2025 at 9:05 am
Was never impressed
April 16th, 2025 at 9:13 am
This draft should be fun. A few glaring needs and not many players head and shoulders apart from each other. Should be able to clean up and move around as it benefits the team.
CB edge and LB. In order of BPA.
April 16th, 2025 at 9:23 am
Jayden Higgins please in the 2nd….D with our 1st…..you know it LUV 🙂
April 16th, 2025 at 9:26 am
Age related needs – ILB, IDL, WR
Roster upgrades – ILB, S, CB
Improve depth – Edge, CB, OL
1st round is immediate impact player, whatever position, or trade down
April 16th, 2025 at 9:32 am
If he’s still there at 19, the phone will certainly be ringing
April 16th, 2025 at 9:51 am
Another opportunity to remind everyone that Jason and his organization know what they are doing, and have computated and cyphered and algorithmed 5,765 scenarios each with several variants (kind of like a Bowles defensive play call). Whoever is chosen at 19, if they don’t trade out of the spot, will be the best prospective NFL player possible for the Bucs at that moment.
So just start drinking heavily until it’s over.
April 16th, 2025 at 9:56 am
You can coach in a different outlook from within a player !! You can’t or very very hard to coach up Desire , Heart and Surroundings …..
The Latter three are just poison that seldom work out
April 16th, 2025 at 11:06 am
I’m OK with this pick if we do it. As contrast to the thread just above where i was a hard no. I would be surprised with this pick but not disappointed. I just don’t want to be surprised by JIS type of pick at #19.
April 16th, 2025 at 11:06 am
100% NO to any player that has any question about his dedication to football.
Besides, CB/S or ILB are the obvious needs. O line and D line can be filled in the mid rounds along with another receiver
April 16th, 2025 at 11:12 am
Aqualung
Just like the clock strikes 12 twice a day we agree!
Your last post was spot on!
April 16th, 2025 at 11:18 am
Beeej Says:
April 16th, 2025 at 7:45 am
Whether he shuts his piehole or not, a diva is a diva. You can be the diva who pouts and withdraws too. It’s a personality thing.
I had not heard this about Tet McMillian, but if it’s true, pass… Don’t need anybody out there half-assing it. That’s the seed of losing.
April 16th, 2025 at 12:27 pm
This was well said
“WiscoJoe Says:
April 16th, 2025 at 8:24 am
Not if he doesn’t love the game. You have to get guys that love the game.
Sean Says:
April 16th, 2025 at 8:25 am
Tet has said that he doesn’t watch football, including film….. sorry, but I’m not interested in taking a wr who doesn’t love football or want to watch film in the first round. Not when we’ve got 3 good damn WRs already. If tet loves the game then maybe, but it doesn’t seem that way. I don’t trust this dude at all.”
April 16th, 2025 at 1:05 pm
I would not be surprised by this whatsoever, at all… Not even a little bit, if he’s still there on the board. Especially, if say both of their top 2-CB’s & top 2-LB/EDGE’s are already off the board.
April 16th, 2025 at 1:12 pm
The main reason “I” wouldn’t do it is because I would rather wait until NEXT YEAR’S Draft to make my move for a ‘top-tier’ Wideout. That next year’s class will be absolutely, LOAD.ED. 💯
April 16th, 2025 at 1:19 pm
SPBF – especially the drinking heavily part.
April 16th, 2025 at 1:39 pm
MelvinJunior.
Licht used that same strategy in 2019 and 2020.
In 2019, most of the Joebucs fans wanted us to select an Offensive Tackle.
Looking back, guys like Defense Rules in 2019, were saying that the first Tackle taken, Jonah Williams of Alabama, was not that good (I guess DR was an Alabama fan). He was 100 percent right. It was a bad class.
In fact despite the Joe’s and 50 percent of the readers pining for a tackle in either the 1st or 2nd round, Licht did not pick up any in 2019.
Instead, history was made with our best offensive line pick in 2020, when we used the 14th overall pick and a 4th rounder to move up to the 13th pick overall and snag Tristen Wirfs.
Licht trusted where the strengths were in 2019, selecting super athlete Devin White at number 5 instead of Williams.
Licht also pissed off the Joe Bucs fan base in 2019 by selecting SMB over Greedy Williams of LSU in the 2nd round.
And Bucs fans were even more pissed, when Licht traded an early 3rd round pick to the LA Rams for two late 3rd round picks. The Rams selected Darrell Henderson who lots of Joe Bucs fans had mocked to us. The Bucs took less known defensive backs of Jamal Dean and Mike Edwards.
April 16th, 2025 at 1:45 pm
A guy no one has mentioned is Minnesota’s Daniel Jackson. He is a stud who was handicapped by poor QB play until 2024. His route running is stellar as are his hands, and he can block and loves to get dirty. He’s a 7th round / UdFA type player but his coach is PJ Fleck and he knows about receivers. He believes DJ will be a success in the NFL.
Back to the beers.
April 16th, 2025 at 2:36 pm
Yes. That is all true, “geno711.” I remember all of that! People were losing their minds. I was good with it tho, at the time… I really liked ALL of those DB’s and honestly thought it was a great strategy!!!! It paid off and helped bring us a Super Bowl Ring.
April 16th, 2025 at 4:00 pm
Think y’all are missing the operative word “beg” there from Joe – Bowles might beg JL to go WR – and no I don’t think so
We know Bowles is mostly talk (see CB use and dropping pass rushers into coverage excuses)
April 16th, 2025 at 4:27 pm
I don’t see him falling that far, but if he did, the Bucs should seriously consider taking him, much in the way they took Mike Evans because they wanted him learning from Vincent Jackson.
While I think Evans still has another year or two at an ALL-Pro level in him, before falling off to merely a pro-bowler, I could be wrong and the clock could catch up with him. With that, and Godwin coming off a major injury, it wouldn’t be the worst thing to grab the top WR in the draft if he somehow fell that far (he’s top on my board due to his size).
April 16th, 2025 at 5:24 pm
The descriptions of McMillan make me think they would not even be interested. A guy who doesn’t love football is a high bust risk.
April 16th, 2025 at 7:40 pm
@First Last Says:
Honestly, I take it back. I think we skip a receiver this draft and focus on developing Devin Culp. He was smoking defenders last year. I bet he comes into TE1b with Otton being TE1a this year.
I agree, we don’t need a receiver in this draft. Develope Devin Culp as TE1b and WR 3 or 4. He has the height, weight, speed, hands and experience gained last year when he showed out in the last couple of games when it mattered. Make this draft a Defensive Draft.
Go Bucs.
April 16th, 2025 at 7:57 pm
Too bad Palmer was so disappointing last year.
April 16th, 2025 at 9:04 pm
I’m Shocked how many Bucs outlets or Fans don’t bring up the Fact that he is Jalen McMillans little Brother. I don’t know if it’s a matter of them not knowing or not caring. But I can only imagine that if he got drafted to play for the same team as his brother, he would have an extra spark or motivation to elevate his game.
April 17th, 2025 at 2:30 am
Trading down or selecting hurt Bama Linebacker to replace Lavontae seems logical. Even if he is hurt.
Kudos to Kiffen for drafting him.
Thank you.