The New Orleans Saints’ 2-0 start, in which they scored 91 points, turned out to be just a tease. The team won only three more games the rest of the season, finishing 5-12 and securing the ninth overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft. With a new head coach in Kellen Moore, the Saints need to add weapons around veteran quarterback Derek Carr.
That ninth pick could be a game-changer, as PFSN’s latest mock draft projects New Orleans to land an explosive wide receiver—Arizona’s Tetairoa McMillan—in the 2025 NFL Draft.
Saints Projected To Land Tetairoa McMillan in 2025 NFL Draft
The 2024 season was rough for New Orleans, as Carr was limited to just 10 games due to an oblique injury, a fractured hand, and a concussion. He threw for 2,145 yards and 15 touchdowns in his 10 starts, but Spencer Rattler and Jake Haener couldn’t keep the ship afloat after Carr went down.
Alvin Kamara was the team’s most effective weapon, racking up 1,493 yards from scrimmage and eight total touchdowns, but the rest of the offense struggled. Tight end Juwan Johnson led the team in receiving with 548 yards, followed by Kamara (543) and tight end Foster Moreau (413).
Chris Olave finished fourth on the team with 400 yards in eight games, while Rashid Shaheed was sixth with 349 yards in six games. Olave missed the rest of the season after suffering a concussion in Week 9, and Shaheed needed surgery to repair a Week 7 meniscus injury.
In PFSN’s Ian Cummings’ March Mock Draft, he believes the Saints should use their top pick to draft the 6-foot-5 McMillan, especially with so much uncertainty at the WR position.
“Kellen Moore’s New Orleans Saints have some of the parts to a good offense with Chris Olave, Rashid Shaheed, and their emerging tackle duo. But with a WR1 like Tetairoa McMillan—who dominates at the catch point while providing RAC and role versatility—they could evolve.”
The Arizona standout is one of the most talented receivers in the class. He has excellent size, athleticism, and versatility, allowing him to line up outside, in the slot, or even attached to the tight end to create mismatches against nickel corners and linebackers.
#Arizona WR Tetairoa McMillan.
Some YAC reps. Underrated ability in this area. pic.twitter.com/JUenh6EwvK
— Kyron Samuels (@kyronsamuels) March 7, 2025
McMillan is a big-bodied pass catcher with an outstanding catch radius and strong hands. A former basketball player, he plays like a power forward, using his body to shield defenders and win contested catches. With his elite ball skills, he is a dominant red-zone threat—something the Saints have been missing.
McMillan’s College Overview
McMillan was one of the highest-ranked recruits in his class, finishing as a high four-star prospect. He had offers from nearly every major program but ultimately chose Arizona, partly because his high school quarterback, Noah Fifita, was also heading there.
It didn’t take long for McMillan to make an impact. As a true freshman, he quickly became one of the Wildcats’ top targets and set the school record for most receiving yards by a true freshman (702).
He broke out as a sophomore, earning All-American honors after posting 1,402 receiving yards and 10 touchdowns. He continued his dominance as a junior, finishing as a Biletnikoff Award finalist and All-American with 1,319 yards and seven touchdowns.