Todd Bowles All But Confirmed Jalen McMillan Will Make The Final-53 Cut
August 21st, 2024
Todd Bowles gives thumbs-up.
On Friday night, several Bucs players will play their final game of football.
That’s just the cold hard facts. Preseason roster sizes allow teams to carry up to 90 players. Over a third of them (37) will be looking for work next week.
On Tuesday at 4 p.m., the Bucs, like all NFL teams, must whittle their roster down to 53 players. Even after that, there often is roster churning and the “final” roster likely will be different by the time Washington comes to town to begin the 2024 season.
One guy who was a pretty sure bet to make the Bucs’ final-53 was rookie wide receiver Jalen McMillan. He is the real deal. He often looks like an NFL starter. Gets open. Catches just about everything. What else does he have to prove?
Well, yesterday Bucs coach Todd Bowles all but ended whatever drama there is about McMillan sticking around. Bowles was asked what more he needs to see from the Washington product. Bowles basically answered, not a dang thing.
“No, I’ve seen everything I need to see out of him,” Bowles said. “He’s exactly what we thought he was when we drafted him.
“It’s not about making plays in preseason, it’s about getting aligned right, blocking the right guy, understanding what coverages they’re giving you and running the right routes and being where you’re supposed to be.”
McMillan is a stud. For Joe, there is only a small suspense left for McMillan. Joe isn’t sure McMillan has beaten out Trey Palmer for the No. 3 receiver gig. Palmer and McMillan have two very different skillsets.
Palmer is a blazing-fast runner who can hit a home run from anywhere on the field. Palmer does, sadly, have an issue with catching the ball.
McMillan is not a burner. He doesn’t stretch the field. It would take much more effort for him to turn a short pass into six points, unlike Palmer.
McMillan is a chains-mover who finds the opening in defenses and catches the ball consistently.
Basically, McMillan and Palmer are a perfect yin and yang. Each does things well that the other does not. Too bad the Bucs can’t combine the two. That would be a helluva receiver.
Joe is confident that whomever is the No. 3 receiver, the No. 4 receiver will get plenty of snaps each game.
August 21st, 2024 at 9:07 am
Reminds me of a non-injured Russell Gage.
August 21st, 2024 at 9:08 am
I thought this was a DUH
August 21st, 2024 at 9:11 am
i mean…. he better
August 21st, 2024 at 9:11 am
Of course he will make the 53 man roster he is a 3rd draft pick if I remember correctly. Also we have two studs starting at wr but who is really a threat after Evans and Godwin? Need Jalen and Trey with any other help we can get
August 21st, 2024 at 9:18 am
Yes, the number 3 receiver usually makes the team.
August 21st, 2024 at 9:21 am
lame article.
Of Course he will make the Team
August 21st, 2024 at 9:22 am
Yay, thank you for the info Joe! Great to hear. Go Bucs!
August 21st, 2024 at 9:33 am
J-Mac should be #3 until Palmer proves he can reliably catch the ball.
August 21st, 2024 at 9:42 am
Breaking: ” third round pick who’s had a great camp might make team”. This was my mental translation of the title. Kid seems like a very solid pick. Looking forward to seeing him perform.
August 21st, 2024 at 9:54 am
I think the writing is on the wall, Jalen McMillan in on the verge to replace Godwin next year.
August 21st, 2024 at 9:57 am
Was there any doubt?
August 21st, 2024 at 10:01 am
Until a guy is on the team, he’s not on the team.
Yes.
August 21st, 2024 at 10:04 am
Water is wet……is the statement if needed?
August 21st, 2024 at 10:04 am
lol he was one of the top 100 picks did this even need to be said? Of course he was making the cut.
August 21st, 2024 at 10:07 am
My biggest question is can McMillian stay healthy for a complete season plus playoffs? Time will tell.
August 21st, 2024 at 10:07 am
@Joe you really thought a 3rd round rookie wouldn’t make the team? He would have had to do something really egregious off the field for that to happen. The guy is going to get starter reps in offense that primarily runs 3 WR sets, and you are over here acting like this is breaking news lol
August 21st, 2024 at 10:09 am
I’m confused why anyone feels the need to ask what else needs to be seen. I’ve heard more about him than Trey Palmer for sure
August 21st, 2024 at 10:09 am
I see Joe says there was a small doubt at one time….. Ugh, not ideal
August 21st, 2024 at 10:15 am
Joe – Went to check Bucs 2024 schedule and 2023 is still posted. Just a heads up.
August 21st, 2024 at 10:25 am
Shocking.
/sarc
August 21st, 2024 at 10:32 am
I think 83 will get a lot of run.
August 21st, 2024 at 10:38 am
Duh
August 21st, 2024 at 10:39 am
2025 Draft will be interesting …
The Bucs need 1-2 MLB. #1 WR is another big need. This is probably your first three round picks unless the Bucs have a major injury to a key starter. Not really much behind that, though. Just BPA for depth.
August 21st, 2024 at 10:40 am
There was never a doubt. Your 3rd round pick always makes the team unless he looks nothing like the player you thought you were drafting… so yeah, thanks for confirming the obvious.
August 21st, 2024 at 10:46 am
Sounds like he is possibly a replacement for Godwin if he leaves after the season. Sounds like a similar skillset.
Trey Palmer is more of a poor man’s AB, with worse hands and no stupid drama.
August 21st, 2024 at 11:03 am
Joe has been around long enough to know surprises do and will happen.
August 21st, 2024 at 11:09 am
J-Mac crushing the dolphins today. Multiple LONG TD’s. I dig it.
August 21st, 2024 at 11:10 am
Joe, you misspelled Cody Thompson in the headline
August 21st, 2024 at 11:10 am
McMillan will be here long after Todd Bowles is gone. Fact.
August 21st, 2024 at 11:11 am
Joe:
I appreciate all the content you put on your site, but this is a silly premised headline.
McMillan is WR 3 for this team and a 3rd round draft pick. There is no drama here.
Pretty sure Vita Vea and Tristan Wirfs are going to make it too.
August 21st, 2024 at 11:17 am
Joe doesn’t know McMillan is a No. 3. Yet.
Sorry, Joe has been around to know surprises can and will happen.
August 21st, 2024 at 11:24 am
And the sky is blue.
Seriously tho,
In all fairness to Joe, Dexter Jackson was a 2nd round pick. Granted, he made the final roster, but didn’t play beyond his rookie year
August 21st, 2024 at 11:26 am
Bucs are hoping McMillan is everything Gage wasn’t
August 21st, 2024 at 11:31 am
It’s comical how people give the Joes lectures. Kudos to the Joes for being First Amendment champions, even while enduring bloviating pontifications from the self anointed smartest bore in the room.
With JMac and Palmer, Coen and Baker have to be almost giddy at what they can dial up at the LOS upon surveying what defenses present matchup wise.
The 4WR sets should be succulent. Sorry if that’s offensive to fruit.
August 21st, 2024 at 11:49 am
Lol Dave!
Question should be, will Sterling Sheppard make the 53. Haven’t heard a peep about him.
August 21st, 2024 at 11:56 am
Its good news. Beats bad news.
August 21st, 2024 at 11:57 am
I don’t think Sheppard makes it.
August 21st, 2024 at 12:00 pm
In other news, Joe tells us Kyle Trask is garbage and Mayfield is the next Goat!!!
Too far? Kinda close though, right?
Ummmm, it’s so funny seeing people who read complain about what they are reading.
It’s like a deaf person reading lips telling people to shut up.
August 21st, 2024 at 12:10 pm
Joe getting a lot of run because of his ‘trying to be misleading’ headline. And Joe pushing back because he never, never, never will back down, even when it’s a silly thing. Three of the comments are different versions of Joe saying essentially the same thing. Are we going to make it four?!
August 21st, 2024 at 12:13 pm
Wow! Actually, at this point, I believe all of our picks will make the roster.
August 21st, 2024 at 12:19 pm
Go Bucs
August 21st, 2024 at 12:21 pm
LFB!!
Translation… “Let’s F*ckin Bake” people!
August 21st, 2024 at 12:49 pm
I’d be curious how many 3rd round picks across the league have been cut the same year they’ve been drafted, over the last 5 years. Bet it’s less than 5 percent, which illustrates the absurdity of the premise of the post – that McMillan making the team was ever in doubt… especially since he’s gotten rave reviews on his performance thus far.
August 21st, 2024 at 1:13 pm
@M1K3_Fanclub – I only found two 3rd round picks cut before the season in 25 years. Quinton Moses for the raiders and Maurice Clarrett for the Broncos. Could be more out there but I didn’t see any other 3rd rounders cut before the regular season.
August 21st, 2024 at 1:23 pm
Jalen McMillan Will Make The Final-53 Cut…. Cutting edge journalism
August 21st, 2024 at 1:32 pm
^^mtn^^ says
In all fairness to Joe, Dexter Jackson was a 2nd round pick. Granted, he made the final roster, but didn’t play beyond his rookie year
Dexter played for the Bucs from 1999 to 2002 and was the Super Bowl MVP. Went to Arizona for a one year pay day and came back to Tampa for 2005, 2006.
He was actually in my store signing autographs the day we let Donnie Abraham go and cut it short. He got a phone call from Brian Kelly and I believe his quote was “If they let Donnie go, I’m definitely fair game”. Still have the football and pennant he signed for me. Spring or summer of 2002. Really nice guy.
Thanks Dexter and Go Bucs!
August 21st, 2024 at 1:36 pm
DvaderZ51- that was the good Dexter Jackson. The Dexter Jackson ^^ mtn ^^ is referring to is the frail speedster that was afraid of physical contact drafted by Gruden and Bruce Allen with the 58th pick of the 2008 draft.
August 21st, 2024 at 1:46 pm
Thank goodness, I was very concerned the Bucs might cut their #3 WR who they just spent a 3rd rounder on.
August 21st, 2024 at 1:50 pm
M1K3_Fanclub Says:
August 21st, 2024 at 12:49 pm
I’d be curious how many 3rd round picks across the league have been cut the same year they’ve been drafted, over the last 5 years.
———
It’s extremely uncommon anymore – but did happen a lot more often in the past when GM’s really did try to put together their best roster and not just protect their title as ‘draft genius’. At the same time, GM’s didn’t really get fired for busting on draft picks because it was seen a true lottery ticket.
It’s pretty remarkable what Licht has done – guys don’t just make the team because they’re drafted, they’re generally worthy of the spot. His record is very good.
August 21st, 2024 at 1:55 pm
If Palmer can’t improve his hands try him at DB or RB. Wouldn’t hurt.
August 21st, 2024 at 4:02 pm
No shizz you don’t draft a kid in the 3rd round and not dress him that’s a easy way to get fired in the nfl
August 21st, 2024 at 5:56 pm
Extra Extra – read all about it……
Silliness – to even try to justify why this is ‘news’…..
August 21st, 2024 at 10:47 pm
Everyone complaining adds another click and supports the JBF business model, helping to grow the ad$.
Again, kudos to the Joes.
August 22nd, 2024 at 7:40 am
Joe you say it ends whatever drama there was him making the team. Who out in the internet thought he wasn’t making the roster? I feel like you wrote this article just to get fans pissed off and writing comments on the website.