The Buccaneers selected McMillan in the third round of the 2024 NFL Draft after a productive career at Washington, where his numbers were much better in 2022 (79 receptions for 1,098 yards and nine TDs) than his final year (45-559-5). He has the potential to emerge as a slot target in the Bucs offense and has intriguing Dynasty potential with Chris Godwin slated to reach free agency next offseason. McMillan is off the radar in redraft leagues, but he's worth considering in Round 3 of rookie-only drafts.
Buccaneers' Jalen McMillan: Week 1 Waiver Priority List
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McMillan should be the No. 3 receiver for the Buccaneers behind Mike Evans and Chris Godwin, and McMillan is worth stashing on your bench in deeper leagues. He's had a solid training camp, and McMillan might surprise Fantasy managers during the season with his rapport with Baker Mayfield. There's also the potential of what McMillan could be if Evans or Godwin ever got hurt, and McMillan is one of my favorite under-the-radar rookies this year.
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Buccaneers' Jalen McMillan: Catches 28-yard pass from Mayfield
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McMillan caught his only target for 28 yards in Friday's 24-14 preseason win over the Dolphins.
McMillan played the opening drive alongside starting quarterback Baker Mayfield, and the rookie third-round pick's 28-yard grab set up Rachaad White's four-yard rushing touchdown on the next play. The Buccaneers ran three-receiver sets throughout the first-team offense's time in the game, which suggests McMillan is positioned to see prominent playing time out of the gate alongside veteran wide receivers Mike Evans and Chris Godwin. With Tampa Bay's preseason in the books, McMillan's next game will be the Sept. 8 regular-season opener against the Commanders.
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Buccaneers' Jalen McMillan: Suits up in preseason loss
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McMillan (general soreness) brought in one of three targets for six yards in the Buccaneers' 20-7 preseason loss to the Jaguars on Saturday night.
The rookie was able to suit up after dealing with some soreness following his first taste of NFL action last Saturday. McMillan was quiet Saturday night but did see an incomplete deep target from Kyle Trask on the opening possession, and he continues to acquit himself competently despite the fact he's yet to have an opportunity to see in-game action with Baker Mayfield under center. McMillan will have one more chance to make a case for the No. 3 receiver job in the preseason finale against the Dolphins on Friday night.
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Buccaneers' Jalen McMillan: Wears red non-contact jersey Monday
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McMillan was dealing with what head coach Todd Bowles labeled "general soreness" Monday, leading to the rookie wearing a red non-contact jersey in practice, Scott Smith of the team's official site reports.
McMillan continued to make a strong case for the No. 3 receiver job in Saturday's preseason win over the Bengals, recording two receptions for 23 yards. However, it appears his first taste of professional on-field action also left him a bit worse for wear, and it remains to be seen if if the rookie will be able to participate in the first day of joint practices with the Jaguars on Wednesday.
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Buccaneers' Jalen McMillan: Likely playing Thursday
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Coach Todd Bowles suggested Thursday that McMillan and other rookies will play in Saturday's preseason game against the Bengals, Brianna Dix of the Buccaneers' official site reports.
McMillan has spent a lot of time with the first-team offense at training camp and reportedly caught a lot of passes from Baker Mayfield, seemingly putting the third-round pick on track to replace holdover Trey Palmer as the Bucs' No. 3 receiver. Most of the Tampa starters will be held out Saturday evening, but McMillan looks to be an exception in light of Bowles saying that "all the rookies" will play. McMillan figures to get playing time early in the game while Kyle Trask is under center.
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Buccaneers' Jalen McMillan: Continues thriving in second week
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McMillan has been thriving throughout training camp and has drawn attention for his work ethic and attention to detail, Brianna Dix of the Buccaneers' official site reports.
The rookie third-round pick has drawn praise from head coach Todd Bowles and quarterback Baker Mayfield, with the former singling out McMillan's intelligence and hunger for improvement while adding that "the receiving group loves him." The Washington product, who missed four games for the Huskies in 2023 due to a knee injury but was a 1,000-yard receiver the season prior, is capable of stretching the field and gaining separation but has also proven adept on choice and option routes. For his part, Mayfield has stated he's already learning that McMillan is also proficient in contested-catch situations, noting "he's going to make plays when the ball is in the air."
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Buccaneers' Jalen McMillan: Tampa adds third-round wideout
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The Buccaneers selected McMillan in the third round of the 2024 NFL Draft, 92nd overall.
McMillan might not have as much hype as former Washington teammate Rome Odunze or even Ja'Lynn Polk, but McMillan was about as productive as Odunze and was more productive than Polk prior to McMillan missing roughly two months with a knee injury in 2023. In other words, if McMillan never got hurt, then Polk might not have been drafted ahead of the former. McMillan (6-foot-1, 197 pounds) demonstrated his skill set by producing alongside the likes of Odunze and Polk in college, and his solid combine performance proved the NFL viability of his athleticism (4.47-second 40, 37-inch vertical). Trey Palmer should not be in the WR3 role much longer for Tampa.
