Everybody groan. It’s Arizona wide receiver Tetairoa McMillan. A stud wide receiver, but this is the 49ers—they need a defensive and offensive line. Do they get another patch catcher instead?
When the San Francisco 49ers drafted Ricky Pearsall in the first round of the 2024 NFL Draft, saying the pick was “mixed” is an understatement. In our survey results, the pick received a “C” grade, and most wondered why the offensive line wasn’t addressed.
Well, this mock draft will give you all those feelings again. In his recent mock draft at CBS Sports, Jeff Kerr has the 49ers taking Arizona wide receiver Tetairoa McMillan.
The 49ers find their Deebo Samuel replacement in McMillan, the best wideout in this draft class. McMillan can play wide or in the slot, and his deep-ball ability gives the 49ers another explosive pass catcher in a revamped offense.
Another wide receiver. Oh, goody—this should go over well.
And yet, I’m kind of on board with this. The 49ers have Brandon Aiyuk recovering from knee surgery (he’s not getting traded; it’s just not happening), and they have Jauan Jennings for another year. McMillan is insurance and a cheaper option for 2026 free agency.
I don’t necessarily think the 49ers need a “Deebo Samuel replacement.” That’s not to say they need a wide back, it’s just the way the offense seems to go now, the fly sweeps Samuel did don’t seem to work like they used to.
Just because I’m on board doesn’t mean I wouldn’t be disappointed. To throw to a wide receiver, you need, you know… an offensive line. One that blocks. So you can actually get the pass out… Or a defense to get your offense onto the field so you can throw to him. I’d love this pick, but the 49ers have more pressing needs. That said, taking McMillan keeps the wide receiver position from regressing to the days of Chip Kelly’s roster.
McMillan is projected as a mid-to-late first-round pick in most mocks, so it’s not a strange pick for his projection. It’s safe to assume the 49ers will add a wide receiver or two, either as UDFAs or later in the draft. The 49ers did meet recently with Pittsburgh wide receiver Konata Mumpfield. Mumpfield has seen more as one of those aforementioned late draft picks or even an undrafted free agent.
McMillan is a stud, and I’d love to have him on the 49ers. Unfortunately, the 49ers have more significant needs. What do you think of this pick?