Patriots host top WR prospect who once said he doesn’t watch film (reports) (2025)

The New England Patriots missed out on Tee Higgins in free agency. However, they’re reportedly taking a close look at an NFL Draft prospect who’s drawn comparisons to the Cincinnati Bengals star.

According to multiple reports, the Patriots hosted former Arizona wide receiver Tetairoa McMillan on an official visit over the weekend. KPRC2’s Aaron Wilson was the first to report the news.

The 6-foot-4, 219-pound receiver met with the Patriots back at the combine as well, meaning New England’s staff has gotten multiple chances to evaluate on of this year’s top receiver prospects.

The top receiver overall is considered to be Colorado two-way star Travis Hunter. McMillan, meanwhile, represents a skill set the Patriots are in dire need of: a tall outside receiver who can make contested catches.

Many mock drafts have McMillan going in the top 10 picks while others have him slipping into the 10-20 range.

The All-American receiver was dominant over his past two seasons at Arizona, thanks in large part to his ball skills and elusiveness. However, there are a couple of concerns.

McMillan doesn’t have elite straight-line speed. While he’s considered a terrific possession receiver, his 40 time is a reported 4.53 seconds, which is OK but not great.

Then there is the clip that’s circled the internet in recent weeks where McMillan says he doesn’t watch football at all on his own time.

“I don’t like watching film either. ... I don’t ever need to watch it by myself because we go over it as a receiver group,” McMillan said in an offseason documentary video.

The video has generated plenty of hot takes during the pre-draft process. But it’s hard to say it’s a red flag for McMillan at this point. The video in question is from April 2023, which was after McMillan’s freshman season at Arizona.

McMillan hasn’t publicly commented on the clip. But plenty can change about how a player handles himself off the field in two years. The McMillan that is heading into the draft has drawn positive reviews from scouts and pundits.

“Our entire building loves him. There’s just no way he makes it to us,” an executive told Fox Sports’ Jordan Schultz.

The Patriots could use a receiver like McMillan. However, his perceived value could make it unlikely that New England takes him.

Taking McMillan at No. 4 would be perceived as a reach at this point. Meanwhile, it’s unlikely that he falls to the Patriots’ second pick at No. 38. If there’s a trade up or down, McMillan could be in play. But for now, the odds are that he won’t be in the picture at No. 4.