After drafting wide receiver Michael Thomas with a second-round pick in the 2016 NFL Draft, the New Orleans Saints had a dominant weapon for the next five seasons.
Thomas set several NFL records for productivity over his first four years. Among those many standards were an NFL-record 149 receptions in 2019, accompanied by a Saint record and league-best 1,745 yards.
After suffering a severe ankle injury in 2020, Thomas was never the same. The ankle, along with other ailments, forced him to miss 48 of 68 games over four years before his release after the 2023-24 campaign.
Without Thomas, the Saints lacked a nearly unstoppable intermediate weapon. New Orleans added wideouts Chris Olave and Rashid Shaheed in 2022 to bolster an awful receiving unit. While each are explosive, both lack the physical dominance that Thomas brought to the offense.
New Saints head coach Kellen Moore has had a big-bodied playmaker at receiver as offensive coordinator with Dallas, the Chargers, and Philadelphia. Currently, New Orleans has no such player on their roster.
The Saints could address this issue as early as the first round of this spring's draft. The top receiver in this draft class fits that profile perfectly.
Tetairoa McMillan, WR (Arizona)
Arizona Wildcats wide receiver Tetairoa McMillan (4) runs after a catch against the Texas Tech Red Raiders. Mandatory Credit: Aryanna Frank-Imagn Images
Born in Hawaii, McMillan and family moved to southern California when he was 12. After starring at Servite High School, he'd eventually commit to the University of Arizona.
As a true freshman in 2022, McMillan made an immediate impact for Arizona with 39 receptions for 702 yards and a team-best 8 touchdowns. He was a focal point of the Wildcats offense in 2023, with his 90 catches for 1,402 yards both second in the Pac-12.
In 2024, McMillan was one of the most productive players in the nation. His 1,319 receiving yards led the Big 12 and was third in the NCAA, with his 84 catches and 8 touchdowns again leading the Wildcats.
McMillan earned 1st Team All-American honors last season. He is Arizona's all-time leader in receiving yards, finishing his three-year collegiate career with 213 receptions, 3,423 yards, 26 touchdowns, and 12 100-yard outings in 37 games.
Arizona Wildcats wide receiver Tetairoa McMillan (4) catches a pass against Arizona State Sun Devils defensive back Javan Robinson (12). Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images
Built like a prototype possession receiver at 6'4" and 219-Lbs., McMillan also has enough speed to make deep plays. However, he may be challenged to do that early in his NFL career after relying too much on simply a long stride at the collegiate level.
McMillan can be guilty of an upright and robotic release off the line of scrimmage. Such tactics will make it more difficult to elude press coverage or allow defensive backs to read and jump his routes.
While a good athlete, McMillan isn't explosive enough to beat top-tier cornerbacks with pure speed. As noted above, improved disguising of his routes will be needed for consistent separation. After the catch, he must have either better elusiveness or more power to pick up extra yardage.
Arizona Wildcats wide receiver Tetairoa McMillan (4) catches a ball against the West Virginia Mountaineers. Mandatory Credit: Aryanna Frank-Imagn Images
McMillan is a technically sound route runner, one of the better in this draft class. He'll be able to run a complete route tree for any NFL offense, particularly as an outside receiver. He has the ability to physically overwhelm smaller press corners.
McMillan beats defenses with elite body control. He'll expertly use his body to shield defenders from the pass and wins nearly every contested catch. Once he has a step on defensive backs, he gains separation downfield with his long stride and terrific form.
When the pass is in the air, McMillan has outstanding ball-tracking skills. Off-target throws present little problem with his incredible catch radius and agility, creating highlight-reel catches.
Tetairoa McMillan will almost certainly be the first receiver drafted this year. Most expect that to be in the first 10 selections, with many believing he'll come off the board around the first five picks.
Arizona Wildcats wide receiver Tetairoa McMillan (4) catches a pass against the Texas Tech Red Raiders. Mandatory Credit: Aryanna Frank-Imagn Images
McMillan will need to improve his release off the line of scrimmage to be a factor in the slot. However, he should instantly upgrade an offense as an outside receiver and has the skills to become a featured wideout in an offense very quickly.
The New Orleans Saints have an explosive trio of receivers in Chris Olave, Rashid Shaheed, and Brandin Cooks. Therefore, they may choose to address more pressing needs even if McMillan is on the board at nine.
If McMillan is still available with the ninth selection, however, he may be too talented to pass up. McMillan brings a size and physicality that the Saints don't have with Olave, Shaheed, or Cooks as well as the type of weapon that Kellen Moore uses expertly in his offense.
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This story was originally published April 2, 2025 at 5:13 PM.