NFL Exec Praises Panthers' Tetairoa McMillan Draft Pick, Compares WR to Tee Higgins

One NFL executive believes the Carolina Panthers got a comparable player to Cincinnati Bengals wideout Tee Higgins by selecting Tetairoa McMillan with the No. 8 pick of the 2025 draft.

"I think he is like Tee Higgins. That is higher than Tee went, but you would still be getting a top-15 receiver in the league," the executive told The Athletic's Mike Sando about the Panthers' draft decision.

The Bengals also drafted edge rushers Nic Scourton and Princely Umanmielen, running back Trevor Etienne, safety Lathan Ransom, defensive tackle Cam Jackson, tight end Mitchell Evans and wide receiver Jimmy Horn Jr.

"I do not think Carolina will look back on this draft class, with these players, and regret it. There were not a lot of blue-chip players," the executive told Sando.

McMillan, who matched Higgins' measurements by clocking in at 6'4'' and 219 pounds, was similarly compared to the Bengals star by B/R NFL scout Dame Parson ahead of the draft.

"McMillan is a stellar run-after-catch receiver who has spatial awareness, stop/start ability, and elusiveness to make defenders miss after he secures the ball," Parson wrote. "His play strength allows him room to work through arm tackles for more YAC. With his size advantage, McMillan converts contested catches well."

The Panthers, who allowed an NFL-high 3,057 rushing yards against last season, surprised some analysts when the franchise targeted offense rather than defense with their first-round pick.

"We wanted to have the best player, we wanted to follow our board of who we thought was going to help us the most up there," Panthers general manager Dan Morgan said after the first round. "Again, we got our guy, and we're excited about it."

That choice could prove to be worth it for Morgan and the Panthers if McMillan can help third-year quarterback Bryce Young record a breakout season in 2025.