Patriots draft rumors: Drake Maye gets major help from 26-TD star college WR with New England's No. 4 pick

The New England Patriots have earned a reputation for making poor decisions regarding wide receivers, particularly in the first round of the NFL Draft. However, that trend could change this year.

With Drake Maye establishing himself as the potential franchise quarterback of the future, he needs more reliable deep threats after a season in which tight end Hunter Henry was his top pass-catching option.

To that end, CBS Sports’ Josh Edwards has de facto general manager Eliot Wolf selecting Arizona wide receiver Tetairoa McMillan:

"New England's objective should be surrounding Drake Maye with the talent necessary for him to be successful. Does that have to begin at No. 2 overall? Probably not, but the options are limited at wide receiver unless the Patriots spend big on Tee Higgins in free agency."

McMillan was incredibly productive as a sophomore, catching 90 passes for 1,402 yards and 10 touchdowns — all career highs — and helping the Wildcats defeat the Oklahoma Sooners in the Alamo Bowl.

He slightly regressed as a junior, recording 84 receptions for 1,319 yards and eight touchdowns, but he was named an All-American.

Overall, McMillan finished his collegiate career with 213 receptions for 3,423 yards and 26 touchdowns.

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Other analysts also project Patriots to draft Tetairoa McMillan

At least three other analysts agree that the Patriots will target Tetairoa McMillan. Sports Illustrated’s Daniel Flick believes McMillan will significantly improve an offense that was the NFL’s worst in passing yards, averaging only 176.1 yards per game:

"New England needs to add pieces around Maye, and the fourth pick may be premature for an offensive lineman. Providing Maye with another young piece bodes well for the Patriots’ offensive future."

The Athletic's Dane Brugler compares McMillan’s skill set to that of Tee Higgins, the Cincinnati Bengals’ impending free agent who has been recently linked to New England.

Meanwhile, Sporting News' Vinnie Iyer writes that McMillan could fill the same role for the Patriots that Mike Evans plays for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers — a big-bodied vertical threat and a reliable red-zone target.

However, not everyone agrees that McMillan will be the Patriots’ priority. ESPN’s Mel Kiper Jr. and SBNation’s Joseph Acosta predict the team will select Penn State defensive end Abdul Carter instead.

Similarly, CBS Sports’ Chris Trapasso and the Palm Beach Post’s Joe Schad believe Colorado cornerback/wide receiver Travis Hunter will be the choice.

NBC Sports Boston’s Phil Perry, meanwhile, suggests LSU tackle Will Campbell could be the selection to help address New England’s struggling offensive line.