The Tampa Bay Buccaneers focused heavily on offense in the 2024 NFL draft, starting with Duke offensive tackle Graham Barton at No. 26 overall in the first round and finishing with four offensive picks.
One man in particular should be a welcoming sight for Tampa Bay quarterback Baker Mayfield: Washington wide receiver Jalen McMillan, who was drafted in the third round (92nd overall).
“I was surprised Jalen McMillan lasted until the end of Round 3, but the Bucs might have gotten a steal at No. 92. Baker Mayfield will love him,” ESPN draft analyst Mel Kiper Jr. wrote about the pick.
McMillan began a run of offensive players for the Buccaneers, which included Oregon running back Bucky Irving in the fourth round (No. 125), UTEP offensive lineman Elijah Klein in the sixth round (No. 220), and McMillan’s teammate and Washington tight end Devin Culp in the seventh round (No. 246).
Jalen McMillan Missed Time With Knee Injury in 2023
McMillan was Washington’s leading wide receiver in 2022, earning All-Pac-12 honors with 79 grabs for 1,098 yards and 9 touchdowns. After missing four games due to a knee injury, he only had 39 receptions for 526 yards and four touchdowns in 2023.
McMillan was one of three Washington wide receivers drafted in 2024, behind Rome Odunze (No. 9 overall, Chicago Bears) and Ja’Lynn Polk (No. 57 overall, New England Patriots).
McMillan’s flexibility to play in the slot or on the outside may land him in Tampa Bay’s rotation right away.
“McMillan can line up inside or outside but 33 of his 45 receptions came out of the slot in 2023, and he caught six passes out of the backfield,” Jenna Laine, an analyst for ESPN, noted. “He’s also an expert on the post route.” His six touchdown catches on post routes since 2022 are tied for the most in the FBS, while his 253 receiving yards on post route concepts since 2022 rank tenth.
Buccaneers Have Veterans in Place at Wide Receiver
The Buccaneers feature one of the NFL’s best pass-catching duos in experienced wide receivers Mike Evans and Chris Godwin, but Godwin is on his final year of contract, while Evans is in his 11th season.
Evans inked a two-year, $52 million contract during the offseason. Godwin signed a three-year, $60 million contract prior to the 2022 season.
That being said, few scenarios are better for a young wide receiver than stepping in to play alongside two veterans who have both been Pro Bowlers and were significant components of Tampa Bay’s march to a Super Bowl championship in 2020.
Evans broke the NFL record with his tenth consecutive 1,000-yard performance in 2023.
“(McMillan) is a natural receiver,” Bucs assistant general manager John Spytek informed Laine. “He plays as if the game makes sense to him.” His route running is quite smooth. We communicated with various databases throughout the process. When you asked them, ‘Who’s the hardest cover you’ve had this year? Several of them praised him simply because he is an excellent athlete with a strong feel for running routes. Like, that combo makes him incredibly difficult to cover.”
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