The Carolina Panthers, like the rest of the NFL, never really got a chance to reel wide receiver Tee Higgins away from the Cincinnati Bengals. They might have, however, just drafted a Tee Higgins of their own.
In an article published by The Athletic on Friday, senior writer Mike Sando gauged league executives for their opinions on the results of the 2025 NFL draft. When going over the Panthers, this year’s eighth overall selection Tetairoa McMillan drew one heck of a comparison.
“I think he is like Tee Higgins,” an exec said of McMillan, per Sando. “That is higher than Tee went, but you would still be getting a top-15 receiver in the league. 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.”
McMillan could be a blue-chip player for the Panthers if he meets that lofty comp.
Higgins, at the 2020 scouting combine, measured in at 6-foot-4 and 216 pounds. McMillan, at this year’s combine, hit 6-foot-4 and 219 pounds.
The two are also comparable on the field. Both have reliable hands, smooth body control, exceptional ball skills and experience from multiple alignments.
So if Carolina just got themselves a younger Higgins with the eighth pick of the draft—then, no, they probably won’t look back and regret it.
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