THE TAKE
Matthew Golden is still Steve Smith Sr.'s #1 wide receiver in the 2025 NFL Draft — even after Tetairoa McMillan's 4.48 40-yard dash. Smith said McMillan is a 'good player, not a great player' and questioned his route tree: 'Yeah, he's a number one ranked wide receiver, but he's not the number one wide receiver... I think he's a jump ball guy, but I don't see his route tree being very elaborate.'
BOLDNESS
72/100
GRADE
5/100
PLAYERS / TEAMS
Matthew GoldenTetairoa McMillan
GRADING CRITERIA
TRUE IF
Matthew Golden is drafted at a higher position than Tetairoa McMillan in the 2025 NFL Draft, or if post-draft consensus rankings from at least three major scouting outlets (e.g., PFF, ESPN, NFL.com) place Golden above McMillan as the WR1 in the class. Take is
FALSE IF
McMillan is drafted significantly earlier than Golden or retains WR1 consensus status at draft time.
bold callcontrarianhot takeflip risk
OUTCOME
CONFIRMED FALSETetairoa McMillan was drafted #8 overall by the Carolina Panthers — the first true receiver off the board — while Matthew Golden went #23 overall to the Green Bay Packers, 15 picks later. McMillan not only retained but reinforced his WR1 status in the class, and post-draft consensus rankings and scouting outlets (NFL.com, PFF, WalterFootball, etc.) continued to place him above Golden. McMillan also went on to win Offensive Rookie of the Year, leading all rookies in receiving yards (1,014) and touchdowns (7), cementing himself as a true WR1 — the exact opposite of what Smith Sr. claimed.