The 6-5 Carolina Panthers have been a provocative watch this season for several reasons, but a major cause behind their return to relevancy after 2024's abysmal campaign is because of rookie wide receiver Tetairoa McMillan.
And the San Francisco 49ers will have their first dose of him in Week 12 when they host the Panthers on Monday Night Football.
McMillan, the No. 8 overall pick from last April's NFL Draft out of Arizona, just so happens to be coming off his best game as a pro -- 130 receiving yards on eight catches with two touchdowns in Carolina's overtime victory against the Atlanta Falcons.
The Niners, seeking to gain back-to-back wins for the first time since Weeks 2 and 3, want to do everything in their power to ensure the rookie doesn't have a similarly impressive back-to-back stretch in the box score.
Panthers rookie WR creates problems for 49ers
Aside from a brief two-game stretch in the middle of the season when he wasn't much of a factor, McMillan has been a true X-factor for head coach Dave Canales and a key reason why quarterback Bryce Young has enjoyed a bounce-back campaign in 2025.
With 748 receiving yards over 11 games to date, the first-year pro is already cemented in this season's Offensive Rookie of the Year award chase, and a strong finish could see McMillan bounce up to the very top of contenders.
As for San Francisco, the lack of a natural pass rush should allow Young plenty of time within the pocket, meaning McMillan won't be cut off from running and developing his routes, thereby putting more pressure on a primarily young and inexperienced secondary that's already allowed 2,740 pass yards to date -- second most in the NFL entering Week 12.
It might be wise for defensive coordinator Robert Saleh to merely stick his best cornerback, Deommodore Lenoir, up against the rookie to effectively take him out of Carolina's offensive game plan as much as possible.
But, the 5-foot-10 Lenoir lining up opposite the 6-foot-5 McMillan presents some obvious challenges that aren't too hard to figure out. And if Carolina opts to match its big-bodied rookie against rookie defensive back Upton Stout in the slot, it's likely an even bigger problem.
The 49ers and Panthers square off on Monday, Nov. 24 at 8:15 p.m. from Levi's Stadium in Santa Clara, California.