According to PFSN’s recent 7-round 2025 NFL Mock Draft, the New Orleans Saints are projected to select an explosive wide receiver with the ninth overall pick, creating what could become one of the most dynamic receiving duos in the league alongside Chris Olave.
This selection would address a key offensive need while giving quarterback Derek Carr a physically imposing target.
Why the Saints Are Predicted to Select an Explosive Wide Receiver in the 2025 NFL Draft
In his 7-round mock draft for PFSN, Jacob Infante predicted the Saints would bolster Derek Carr’s arsenal by selecting Arizona Wildcats wide receiver Tetairoa McMillan with their first-round pick.
The 6-foot-4, 219-pound standout has established himself as one of college football’s premier targets. The Hawaiian-born wideout earned AP first-team All-American honors in 2024 after leading the Big 12 with 1,319 receiving yards and averaging 109.9 yards per game, ranking third nationally in both categories.
Over three seasons at Arizona, McMillan racked up 213 receptions for 3,423 yards and 26 touchdowns, including an unreal 304-yard, four-touchdown performance against New Mexico that showed off his game-breaking ability.
Infante said, “The New Orleans Saints have a ton of needs on both sides of the ball, but new head coach Kellen Moore could use a big-bodied weapon along the perimeter to pair with Chris Olave and Rashid Shaheed.
“Tetairoa McMillan is a supersized wide receiver with top-notch hands and ball skills competing above the rim. He’s crazy fluid for his size and can create separation with pure physical tools. The Saints have been unlucky enough to face Mike Evans for over a decade; this would be their shot to grab a player with a similar vibe.”
McMillan’s prospect grade is 6.40, signaling he’ll become a solid starter within two years. His Next Gen Stats score is 88, the second-highest among wide receiver prospects.
In his scouting profile on McMillan, Brentley Weissman praised the former Wildcat’s physicality and tackle-breaking skills after the catch, comparing him to Atlanta Falcons star Drake London. Weissman noted that McMillan “plays the game like a power forward, always knowing how to box out defenders to snag and secure the football.”
Complementing the Saints’ Receiving Corps
The Saints’ passing attack has leaned heavily on Chris Olave, who’s quickly proven himself as a steady performer since being drafted in 2022. Through his first two seasons, Olave has piled up 159 receptions for 2,165 yards and nine touchdowns. Alongside Olave, the Saints boast speedster Rashid Shaheed, forming a talented but undersized receiving duo.
Olave and Shaheed both stand at 6 feet, leaving a clear gap for bigger targets who can win jump balls and dominate in the red zone. McMillan would fill that hole perfectly, giving the Saints their own version of Mike Evans, a familiar nemesis who’s torched New Orleans’ defense for years.
The potential pairing of McMillan and Olave brings together complementary skills that could give defenses nightmares. Olave’s crisp routes and technical savvy would mesh perfectly with McMillan’s contested-catch ability and hulking presence.
In PFSN’s latest mock draft analysis, McMillan is called a “supersized wide receiver with top-notch hands and ball skills competing above the rim” who’s “especially fluid for his size and can create separation with pure physical attributes.” The nod to Mike Evans and Saints legend Marques Colston underlines the kind of splash McMillan could make in New Orleans.
Fitting Into the Saints’ Offense
New offensive coordinator Klint Kubiak is rolling out a West Coast-style passing game that thrives on timing, precision, and matchup problems. This scheme would play to McMillan’s versatility, especially in the red zone and on third downs, where his size would shine.
While quarterback and defensive spots are still in play for the Saints’ first-round pick, the chance to team McMillan with Olave might be too good to pass up. The projected pick would bring instant juice to the roster and could set the tone for the Saints’ passing game for years.
If the Saints pair McMillan with Olave, they could end up with one of the NFL’s most dangerous receiving tandems.