Arizona wide receiver Tetairoa McMillan officially announced his intention to enter the 2025 NFL Draft earlier this week. Among the few truly elite prospects in the draft, McMillan projects as a likely top-10 selection. The dominant pass-catcher has recorded 84 receptions for 1,319 yards and eight touchdowns this season.
McMillan projects as a go-to No. 1 receiver at the next level. He possesses the prototypical size, athleticism, body control, and physical presence to be a high-level X receiver in the NFL. McMillan's build and catch radius make him a challenging assignment for boundary cornerbacks in coverage because he's so dominant at the catch point. Short-area quickness and an advanced route tree give the Wildcats standout a consistent upper hand over opponents.
With McMillan officially declaring for the draft, we've identified three potential team fits.
New England Patriots
Offensive tackle is a popular mock draft selection for the New England Patriots, but that depends on their evaluation of the perceived top-ranked prospects. Will Campbell and Kelvin Banks Jr. may kick inside to guard in the NFL. If the Patriots feel that way, they'll undoubtedly sour on drafting one of them with a premium selection.
A wide receiver like McMillan represents a potentially appetizing alternative option. Rookie quarterback Drake Maye is playing like a face-of-the-franchise talent, and the next step in New England's development is to surround him with a better supporting cast. The Patriots offense lacks a No. 1 wideout. McMillan would address a major need for Maye.
Tennessee Titans
The Tennessee Titans entered the season with DeAndre Hopkins as their "X" receiver. After a lackluster start, they traded him to the Kansas City Chiefs at the deadline. Hopkins' departure leaves Tennessee without clear-cut starting receivers going into next season.
Calvin Ridley is the only proven wideout under contract through next year. Emergent touchdown machine Nick Westbrook-Ikhine is playing on an expiring deal. The Titans should possess an interest in resigning him, but they should be hesitant to become overly reliant on his form continuing. Head coach Brian Callahan loves towering receiver prospects like McMillan. Besides having a similar player in Hopkins at his disposal to begin the season, he also previously coached Tee Higgins in Cincinnati. McMillan and Ridley would give ascending quarterback Will Levis a solid pass-catching duo to work with in 2025.
New Orleans Saints
The New Orleans Saints are stuck with that Derek Carr contract. Moving on from the aging quarterback would leave behind sizable financial penalties in dead money. General manager Mickey Loomis (or a new GM?) is better off drafting another offensive talent to support Carr's growth in Klint Kubiak's offense, assuming Kubiak remains at offensive coordinator following a head coaching change.
The Saints are a little thin at receiver. Both Chris Olave and Rashid Shaheed suffered season-ending injuries this year. McMillan would certainly co-exist with them as the "X" receiver in Kubiak's offense. Olave is an alignment-versatile "Z" and Shaheed is a designated deep threat. If the Saints are sticking the course with their current roster make-up, adding another bonafide weapon to the offense makes sense.
