ESPN numbers suggest Panthers playing Tetairoa McMillan in the wrong spot

The Carolina Panthers have thrown a lot of resources at improving their wide receiver room over the last few offseasons. First, they spent a second-round draft pick on Ole Miss wideout Jonathan Mingo, who still hasn't scored a touchdown in the NFL three years later. Next, they used a first-round pick on South Carolina's Xavier Legette, who still has time to grow but disappointed as a rookie.

The latest big move at wide receiver was using a top-10 overall pick on Arizona's Tetairoa McMillan. In theory, McMillan should be able to fill that traditional X role at wide receiver that they have been missing since they sent D.J. Moore to the Chicago Bears as part of the trade-up for Bryce Young.

However, a new analysis from Bill Barnwell at ESPN suggests that the Panthers would be better off playing McMillan in the slot, where he was nearly twice as efficient as outside in college.

ESPN on Tetairoa McMillan in the slot

"The first-rounder might play better in the slot, though; over his final two college seasons, McMillan averaged 2.2 yards per route run from the outside but a whopping 4.2 yards per route run across 303 routes from the slot... McMillan might be best in a hybrid role where he sees plenty of snaps as a "power slot," but Carolina's need for a classic outside receiver could mean the new addition plays most of his snaps as the X..."