The Cincinnati Bengals have some important decisions ahead of them. They'll need to replace important pieces on both sides of the ball.
Not only do they have to replace their leading tackler on the defensive side, as Germaine Pratt requested a trade, but they'll have to replace a lot of production on offense with Tee Higgins and Mike Gesicki entering free agency.
Between the two, they leave 138 receptions and 1,576 yards to be had.
Higgins was limited to 12 games last season due to injury, as he was in 2023, but was still just one behind his career-high in catches with 73 and put up the highest touchdown output of his career with 10.
Higgins' production will be tough to replace, as will his size. It's not every day you can replace a 6-foot-4, 220-pound wide receiver.
But according to NFL Draft analyst Lance Zierlein, the Bengals are going to attempt to do exactly that at No. 17 in the 2025 NFL Draft by selecting Arizona Wildcats wide receiver Tetairoa McMillan.
At 6-foot-5, 210 pounds, McMillan could be the perfect candidate if the Bengals do indeed move on from Higgins.
He uses his size well, often winning jump balls and contested catches, and has shown the ability to fight back to the ball on underthrown passes.
"This pairing might be the most perfect scheme/roster fit in the entire mock," wrote Zierlein. "McMillan plays similarly to Drake London and Tee Higgins."
— Snoog's Fantasy HQ (@FFSnoog) January 13, 2025Tetairoa McMillan posted 2.80+ yards per route run in back to back seasons.
He posted 8+ touchdowns in every season.
He also posted 1,300+ yards in back to back seasons.
Assuming top 10-12 draft capital, he's a top 14-15 dynasty WR right away.pic.twitter.com/QqnHztG2MO
Zierlein also likes how McMillan can be used and moved around the formation.
"McMillan is instinctive with a feel for adjusting his routes and working back on throws to make the quarterback's job easier," he wrote in McMillan's draft profile. "His elite ball skills set him apart, though, providing a higher floor as a "Z" option with mismatch value in the slot."
While replacing Higgins won't be an easy task right away, McMillan seems like a perfect fit to pair with quarterback Joe Burrow and beside wide receiver Ja'Marr Chase.
