A Jaelon Darden Lesson From Mike Evans
February 12th, 2025
Jalen McMillan had a heck of a 2024 rookie season at receiver.
Is there something to be learned by standout Bucs receiver Jalen McMillan from Mike Evans’ surprising comments?
Perhaps.
Joe was intrigued to hear Evans say twice yesterday that Jaelon Darden, the Bucs’ 2021 fourth-round pick, was an exceptional precision route runner, polished and ready for the NFL out of the University of North Texas. Evans almost seemed in awe of Darden’s “crispy” routes as he talked to the Loose Cannons podcast.
Evans added that Darden was the most talented receiver he played with that has yet to achieve much NFL success. Darden was the Browns’ returner last season but was waived in December and claimed by Seattle. He’s still on the Seahawks roster.
Evans thinks Darden being stuck behind the Bucs’ great targets in the 2021 limited his ability to shine and develop. The Bucs cut him late in the 2022 season.
McMillan, the Bucs’ surging rookie last season, is in the class of Darden as a route runner, Evans said.
Young players must step up when they have opportunities and Evans said McMillan was a shining example after Chris Godwin was lost to injury last season. After his own injury, McMillan exploded in the final five weeks of the regular season.
Joe hopes McMillan can continue to thrive with Godwin healthy and playing next season. (Yes, Joe expects Godwin to return.) Not every player can maintain a high level of play when his role diminishes.
Joe’s not saying McMillan will ride the bench and No. 3 receivers don’t catch balls, but change can affect players. McMillan certainly was talented but very streaky as a rookie.
February 12th, 2025 at 8:43 am
McMillan is a smooth operator. Darden was not.
February 12th, 2025 at 8:53 am
If I have to choose between Godwin or Myles Garret in taking Myles. The cost for him must be sky high. But just imagine the destruction our D line would be capable of. We averaged slmost 30 without Cris. We need a much much improved defense.
February 12th, 2025 at 9:01 am
“” But just imagine the destruction our D line would be capable of.””
It would be insane but you know and I know the chances are slim to none.
February 12th, 2025 at 9:13 am
Myles Garret isnt happening for anyone but the browns. They are 30 million over the cap and if they trade garret its another 30 million in dead cap. 60 million in dead cap to start the season? lmao let the dream die.
February 12th, 2025 at 9:46 am
“Joe’s not saying McMillan will ride the bench and No. 3 receivers don’t catch balls”
But Joe does illustrate a nice problem that Griz the Wiz will be dealing with.
How does he spread the wealth with so many worthy targets?
ME,CG,Jmac are just three, add the three RB’s and at least 2 maybe 2 TE’s.
A great problem to have for sure but it’s still going to be a challenge.
February 12th, 2025 at 9:55 am
Darden was scared to get hit, everyone saw that.
February 12th, 2025 at 10:17 am
Darden has a love affair with the sideline.
February 12th, 2025 at 10:39 am
The QB can have a lot to do with a receiver’s streakiness. I’m generally not worried about McMillan at all. He should be better and with Godwin and Evans we should be hard to stop through the air.
February 12th, 2025 at 10:55 am
McMillan had to go through the rookie learning curve, but was better than I expected for that 2nd half stretch. I’m concerned he may not be physical enough to be more than a 3rd receiver — he’s very thin.
February 12th, 2025 at 11:15 am
@KGH, I sure saw it.
February 12th, 2025 at 12:17 pm
Joe, did ME13 mention Darden could block? He wasn’t the biggest guy and the Buc’s ,like most good teams, require the WRs to block. It wouldn’t surprise me if Darden was a poor blocker. I don’t recall either way partially based on the limited snaps Darden got. The Buc’s released Justin Watson who has since won a couple more rings with Kansas City because he wasn’t a very good blocker. He always was a pretty good WR!
February 12th, 2025 at 1:22 pm
Darden would be great in flag football. He was afraid, pure and simple. He couldn’t catch a cold when it was “tackling allowed” and if he didn’t lose yards running out of bounds, he’s trip and fall over a blade of grass. JMac at least exhibits toughness. Meanwhile Palmer looks like the Bucs current version of Darden, along with Rakim Jarrett and Kam Johnson. Time for a housecleaning at the bottom of the WR depth chart and get some guys who love tackle football.
February 12th, 2025 at 3:03 pm
Ppl seem to be confusing Darden as a returner vs WR… He was awful as a returner, but frankly we barely saw him in the passing game. So who knows?
Justin Watson sure has made a nice home for himself in KC since he got on Brady’s bad side…
February 12th, 2025 at 3:56 pm
The fact that Darden can’t land a 5th or 6th WR spot anywhere else tells you everything necessary about the little fella.
February 12th, 2025 at 4:28 pm
McMillan is smooth and has some De Sean Jackson foot work which a rare skill set . He does not have Jackson speed . Darden was sharp and quick with avg hands but sharp and quick is different than smooth and super shifty with great hands .
Evans may be right but Darden should work day and night on McMillan and Jackson in route foot work because it’s way different that quick sharp……… also get those hands up a notch and he will be playing allot …… AB was sharp and quick but he also had rare acceleration through his route that others don’t .
February 12th, 2025 at 4:49 pm
Eckwood always helps us nonplayers understand what it takes. thanks
February 12th, 2025 at 5:19 pm
At least two mock drafts have us taking a receiver at #19. With Evans another year older, and Godwin a FA it makes sense.
February 12th, 2025 at 6:38 pm
Hodad Says:
At least two mock drafts have us taking a receiver at #19. With Evans another year older, and Godwin a FA it makes sense.
^^^^^^^^^
I see the Bucs taking a CB in R1 this year and drafting M1k3’s replacement next year. This WR class doesn’t feel like R1 talent. Next year’s class is loaded.
February 13th, 2025 at 2:30 am
Darden is scared of getting hit.
That’s why he isn’t good.
After watching Godwin, Ryan Miller and Rakim Jarrett,
I am convinced that toughness may be the most important trait for WR’s.
Because if a WR can’t take a hit, he can’t play. So none of his other traits matters. Not his hands, speed, routes or size.
His toughness comes first.
Can he take a hit? Is he scared?
February 13th, 2025 at 2:44 am
Darden is scared to take a hit for sure but I think he’s more afraid of working a real 9-5. I didn’t know he was still in the NFL but to be fair to me he was playing for the browns
February 17th, 2025 at 5:22 pm
Darden was not a returner in college so you can’t go off of that even though his average on punts and kicks was always top 20 with the Bucs. You can’t tell me Antonio Brown and Mike Evans don’t know what talent looks like at the WR position. He is quick twitch off the line and runs crisp routes. Tampa never gave him a chance at WR.