Jalen McMillan Was Under The Radar
January 19th, 2025
Those who follow Shaun King on Twitter — you know, one of only four Bucs quarterbacks to lead the franchise to the NFC title game — know that he pounded the drum in the weeks leading up to the 2024 draft that Brian Thomas was the best receiver to be had on draft weekend.
Of course, Thomas played for LSU, one of the two receiver factories in college ball. People knew who he was.
Marvin Harrison, a product of the other receiver factory in college ball, the Ohio State, everyone knew about him, too. Not only was he an otherworldly talent, it also helped to have a Hall of Fame receiver dad with the same name.
Like a B-2 bomber flying tree level under radar at a pregame flyover, here comes Jalen McMillan in the third round, scooped up by Bucs AC/DC-loving general manager Jason Licht.
Joe is not saying McMillan is a better receiver than Thomas, who the Jags got with the 23rd overall pick. But so far, McMillan put up numbers equal to Harrison, who Arizona was grabbed fourth overall.
This season, McMillan and Harrison each had eight touchdowns. Harrison did have 885 yards receiving; McMillan had 461.
Scoring, specifically touchdowns, is the name of the game. And down the stretch when the Bucs needed touchdowns, McMillan delivered.
So while McMillan is not be as good as Thomas (10 touchdowns, 1,282 yards), Joe believes the Bucs got far more value this season in McMillan than the Cardinals got with Harrison.
January 19th, 2025 at 10:07 am
McMillion was a great draft choice.
January 19th, 2025 at 10:07 am
His build is too slight for the NFL. He won’t make it.
January 19th, 2025 at 10:11 am
At least Coen will have a nice young WR to work with in Jax.
January 19th, 2025 at 10:14 am
I expect trying to learn NFL plays, coming from that weird system he was in, slowed down his development
January 19th, 2025 at 10:16 am
If he is there @ 19
LUTHER BURDEN III
January 19th, 2025 at 10:23 am
Love MacMillan but size, speed and yards receiving are all real things. So are dropped passes. Hopefully he will continue to improve.
January 19th, 2025 at 10:38 am
“If he is there @ 19
LUTHER BURDEN III”
Seriously? He plays the wrong position no matter his talent.
The Bucs are set at WR and perhaps just as importantly if not more, set for targets for Baker. Obviously start with the HOF WR. ME13 had an awesome game against the Commanders and Lattimore!!! I’m still seeing that play where Mike caught the ball a few yards shy of a critical first down, dives rolling over on his back to stick the ball just past the chains as he hits the ground.
The Commanders game showed what ME13 can do when he’s healthy! And he makes all the other TARGETS better for Baker. Yep Jalen has the potential to be a star but if not a star certainly good enough to be a great #2. Then you have three TE’s who are good receivers, two of them, Cade and Culp very good.
And of course there’s the targets out of the backfield, 3 talented (1 a potential superstar) guys who also have excellent hands!
Because he’s one of my favorite Bucs I hope CG14 makes it back even if it’s not with the Bucs. He’d be great to keep but he’s no longer irreplaceable.
January 19th, 2025 at 10:57 am
McMillan is stepping up !! Could he be another Mike Evans or Chris Godwin in the making only time will tell. But, that catch he made against the Saints for a TD was absolutely incredible!! It reminded me of Chris Godwin five years ago !!!
I think Jaylen McMillan and Trey Palmer are both going to be great Buccaneers receivers!!
Go Bucs 2025 !!
January 19th, 2025 at 11:03 am
As Joe says, rookies are rookies.
January 19th, 2025 at 11:05 am
McMillan was a dear in the headlights against the Redskins. The fumble and the dropped pass cost the game.
January 19th, 2025 at 11:06 am
McMillian is the best route runner I’ve seen on thisnteam since AB. He’s always getting separation. Think next year he could hit the 1000 yard mark if he picks up where he left off.
January 19th, 2025 at 11:16 am
Jalen was a steal in the 3rd round.
He hit a bit of a rookie wall for quite a stretch there,
but he certainly proved his worth toward the end of the season.
I agree, he needs to hit the weight room and put a little mass on.
Let’s hope he hits the start of the 2025 season the way he ended this one.
January 19th, 2025 at 11:43 am
Slow learner grandson go clean your room loser
January 19th, 2025 at 12:08 pm
Jeff Says:
January 19th, 2025 at 10:07 am
His build is too slight for the NFL. He won’t make it.
steve smith was shorter and weighed less,
parlayed his slight build into a 16 yr career.
your comment doesn’t make sense
January 19th, 2025 at 12:13 pm
On the many “to dos” for Jason this offseason, one is securing Chris Godwin. If we put him back in the mix healthy, and JMac continues to develop, whoa. Lookout cookout.
January 19th, 2025 at 12:48 pm
I got 5 large says that Jalen McMillan at 6’1” 192lbs could take Jeff in a back alley with one hand tied behind his back.
January 19th, 2025 at 12:50 pm
Random take: you don’t always need a first round WR unless is Mike or Calvin Johnson. Lotta of WR gems in the draft every year, also kids only want to be WR nowadays because of 7 on 7
January 19th, 2025 at 1:11 pm
Not only was Jmac a third round pick….he was a late third round pick…..and he is our number 3 WR….not # 1……
Only a football fool would expect more from the rookie……
He will be a great Buc….
January 19th, 2025 at 2:08 pm
By Year 3 J-Mac is going to be a straight up killer on the field.
January 19th, 2025 at 2:29 pm
@Aj
“steve smith was shorter and weighed less,
parlayed his slight build into a 16 yr career.
your comment doesn’t make sense”
I just googled top WR’s in the NFL…the usual suspects of course. Let’s compare.
Justin Jefferson 6-1 195
Tyreek Hill 5-10 191
Ja’Marr Chase 6-0 201
Davante Adams 6-1 215
Cooper Kupp 6-2 207
Jalen McMillan 6-1 192
So as a rookie he’s only one inch shorter than the tallest in that group and an inch or two taller than a couple of the others. His weight is in the bottom 3 but he’s not that far from the other studs.
IE Aj is exactly right!!! McMillan has no physical problems. It did take him awhile to adjust to the “bright lights” but he’s a…oops…WAS a rookie. Next season I expect big things from him especially if CG14 doesn’t return to the Bucs. Right now the Bucs are close to having a GREAT problem only ONE football to go around with so many mouths to feed.
January 19th, 2025 at 2:51 pm
I think I had to be the first one on here praising the JMAC pick (I watch A LOT of college, play DFS, and LOVED him at Washington), and also said that he IMMEDIATELY steps into the #3 WR role. Most everyone else on here, was PISSED and was like, “What, Who!?” With that said, I am obviously, rooting for the kid. But, I never said that he would be a SUPERSTAR,” & Harrison was miserably ‘underutilized’ in Arizona. There is some kind of a ‘rift’ between Kyler & him, and it makes NO SENSE, whatsoever. It’s almost like, Kyler is jealous of him or something!? It’s so stupid too, cause he could make Kyler’s life just so much easier. Brian Thomas Jr. is awfully good and with a very ‘high’ ceiling. I view JMAC as a STEAL, and with an upside as being a ‘top-tier’ level, #2. Potentially, a fringe #1 in a ‘weaker’ WR-room (if he can stay healthy). Hell, nothing wrong with that… A consistently ‘solid’ 10+ year NFL career. You can make A LOT of money doin THAT. He will be a HELLUVA player for the Bucs (and at a bargain) for many years to come, IF he can just stay HEALTHY. Should really improve quite a bit, too! Very ‘limited’ reps in the preseason coming in being behind Godwin, Evans, & others… Then, barely even played HALF of the season when fully healthy. Should turn into one heckuva player, & one heckuva find.
January 19th, 2025 at 3:02 pm
McMillan is looking to be everything Gage wasn’t.
Size doesn’t always equate to toughness….. see Bucky Irving, adding 1 thought; he’s not a cowbell as some here have suggested. Bucky needs to be in a rotation or even he, as tough as he is, won’t have as long of a career. Warrick Dunn was an exception.
Back to McMillan, he’s not Bucky tough & he often ends up in awkward positions which increases his chance of injury.
That’s part of scouting a guy.
Even Calvin Johnson had a similar knock on him but nothing that caused him to drop in the draft, obviously
January 19th, 2025 at 3:09 pm
stpete, Tyreek Hill is only 5-10??? Holy moly cos he sure doesn’t play like it! IF CG14 doesn’t call it quits, he’s coming back as a Buc. Big Mike, no telling what’s in his head cos he is set. Bucs also have RBs who can catch as in White, and now Irving. Sure hope Coen figures it out just how many receivers he has on this offense. Looking forward to next season. I hope we can do something with the punting as well as the D.
January 19th, 2025 at 3:32 pm
orlbucfan
Yep Tyreek is not big but they don’t call him Cheetah for nothing. Size is not critical if they can’t catch ya eh?
January 19th, 2025 at 7:17 pm
Twins can be identical in height and weight and one plays big and the other doesn’t play as big. It’s about what’s between the ears and how big the heart is. This is not a condemnation of Jalen. It’s too early to make a judgement. On the other hand look at DeVonta Smith on the Eagles. He’s 6 ft 170 and he’s fearless. And he has been from the day he was drafted.