Mike Evans, Ja’Marr Chase And Jalen McMillan

March 31st, 2025

Blow up in 2025?

Did the Bucs steal a stud receiver last year in the third round last year? If history is any accurate barometer, it seems they sure did.

Now what a guy does in his rookie season isn’t exactly a harbinger that he will be a bust, a Pro Bowler, an All-Pro or a Hall of Famer. But clearly, Bucs fans have to like how Jalen McMillan finished his rookie season.

After catching a touchdown pass against the Commandos his very first game last season, McMillan sort of went into the witness protection program.

And when the Bucs needed him most, with both Mike Evans and Chris Godwin on the shelf for four games, McMillan never had a touchdown catch (though he did have four catches in a home loss to Atlanta).

McMillan wouldn’t catch another touchdowns after the season-opening win until December. And then, McMillan went off.

Perhaps being in the Christmas mood, perhaps finally figuring things out as a pro, or perhaps he had a come-to-Jesus moment with someone, McMillan busted out and balled out with seven touchdown catches in the Bucs’ final five games of the regular season.

In the annals of Bucs history, that is huge. Of the only two guys who put up numbers to end the season like McMillan last year, one has his name in the Buccaneers Ring of Honor and the other will have a bust in Canton.

McMillan’s seven touchdowns over the last five regular season games is tied for most by a Tampa Bay player over a five-game span in franchise history: Mike Evans (2021) and Jimmie Giles (1985).

And in 2024, there was only one other player in the league who had at least seven touchdowns over a five-game stretch. He’s some guy in Cincinnati guaranteed to make at least $32 million this season, Ja’Marr Chase.

So what should Joe make out of McMillan? Is he a No. 1 receiver in the waiting? Or was that five-game stretch a fluke?

If his five-game stretch was just a jump-start to his career, the Bucs will have a dangerous offense again this fall.

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29 Responses to “Mike Evans, Ja’Marr Chase And Jalen McMillan”

  1. Aqualung Says:

    Before we pour the anointing oil, let’s observe that he was a deer in the headlights in the Redskins playoff game. Dropped a key pass that was an easy cacth and then was early and deep on the stupid jet sweep call in the same game. Basically — let’s see him look like Godwin more than looking like Kenny Bell.

  2. Bring back the lawn chairs Says:

    Many buc greats were drafted in the third round. Including Godwin, lynch, barber, Abraham, and hopefully McMillan. Apparantly it’s the Bucs magic number. Super Bowl win number three this time around would be nice too! Go Bucs.

  3. Jeffrey Becker Says:

    was he usually in the slot for his TDs or out wide?

  4. geno711 Says:

    It seemed as the season went on, he was able to get off the line a lot cleaner than he was earlier in the season.

  5. Obvious Says:

    Lawn chair put it quite nicely. 👍

  6. Hodad Says:

    People want us to triple down on an edge rusher. How about double down on a wide receiver? Evans has to leave the field after every catch. He missed time with hamstring issues. Those hammys don’t get loser with age. Godwin is coming off another major injury. Then there’s J Mac, and that’s it! How about adding some juice to the wideout room? Matthew Golden could be that juice. He ran a 4.29, and can run routes. Don’t be surprised if he’s there at 19 he’s a Buc.

  7. heyjude Says:

    Yes, McMillan showed more good than bad, and still believing he will do even better this season.

    Bring back the lawn chairs – Fully agree. It’s a magic number.

  8. Mike C Says:

    Aqualung…….. He WAS a rookie, that now has playoff experience, he should be better. No one is doing any weird rituals or anything, just looking at his projection.

  9. Kenton Smith Says:

    That’s some pretty heady stuff Evans and Giles and Chase comparisons. He fell in the draft because of injuries, and Licht took a gamble. But one with a high upside. But let’s be real. Picking up a receiver who catches 8 TD passes as a rookie doesn’t happen often. And a rookie running back who rushes for almost 1200 yards doesn’t happen often. That they happen in the same year is unheard of. And Barton and Tykee starters out of the same class? Now we’re all spoiled to this kind of draft success. Let’s go guys, now let’s shore up this Defense!

  10. Zoocomics Says:

    @Hodad, man it’s the truth… before Evan’s injury hiatus, after every play that came to him, he not only took his in-between play break, but he always looked gimpy. After the hiatus, the guy was balling, I mean perhaps it was making up for lost time, chasing his record, but man did that break do him some good. I don’t remember the gimpy-ness after that.

    I would love to see McMillan come in to training camp having put on 15 lbs of muscle. It tells me this kid is serious about ball. Kids got good hands, good frame, and speed, it’s got a ton of potential.

  11. Jeff Says:

    If JM keeps working hard he’ll be a solid #3 WR one day. He’s too frail to be anything more.

  12. MJ Says:

    he’s a special #3 when he balls out and does not make dumb rookie mistakes but
    he’s nothing special without ME and CG…. not a #1 ever

  13. Luloo Says:

    He’s a talented receiver that hasn’t put together a high quality full season yet.

    He remains that and that only, until he does otherwise.

  14. George R Says:

    Watch the jump. JM will improve this year. It usually takes 3 years before you know what you have in a WR

  15. Tampabaybucfan Says:

    Definitely worth a late 3rd round pick

  16. JimBobBuc Says:

    Lots of mouths to feed with Godwin, Bucky, Evans, and Otton. JMac needs to stop the boneheaded plays and develop his blocking.

  17. Teacherman Says:

    WR

    Ryan Miller and Rakim Jarrett are strong, fearless receivers who block.

    Palmer is fast but very skinny.

    McMillan also has wobbly knees. He needs to put on some muscle fast!

    Kameron Johnson has a cool body type and looks good. But we’ll see.

    Godwin will not be ready week 1.

    We definitely could use another WR to pair with McMillan and learn from Evans and Godwin.

    Create a new “duo” in the wings.

    McMillan and another young WR?

    I’m down.

  18. #1bucsfan Says:

    I hope he keeps getting better. The real test will come when he doesn’t have 2 stars taking all the heat in ME13 and CG14

  19. CJBucsFan Says:

    Reading stuff like this gets me thinking we could have two 1,000 yard backs and three 1,000 yard receivers and while somewhat of a pipe dream it would be freaking awesome!

  20. Buddha Says:

    Watch his pre draft tabr. He runs exceptionally smooth routes. He is no fluke. If he stays healthy, expect 10 or more touchdowns.

  21. geno711 Says:

    Not sure why McMillan can’t be a better version of Calvin Ridley. i.e. no drug problem.

  22. geno711 Says:

    sorry no gambling problem — not drug.

  23. Jake been there since the beginning Says:

    Well such great criticism, I guess all of you set the bar and noone ever met it. I myself think he did a great job, coming into the league after messing up his his senior year, doing something else to the knee and then showing up late. That’s pretty good seeing how the world thought he was done. Oh by the way thanks Jason Licht for getting this guy! Let’s Go Bucs!!!!

  24. ATLBucSolar Says:

    I don’t know if it was his route running or what but he was usually wide open for his catches. Thats a major plus!

  25. Rod Munch Says:

    McMillan looked good, but calm down people. He’s got to put on some weight and get stronger before he’d even more into a top WR2 role – never mind a WR1 or a top WR1. All is well so far, but slow down with the ridiculous comparisons.

  26. Gipper Says:

    Rod Munch Says:
    March 31st, 2025 at 3:09 pm
    McMillan looked good, but calm down people. He’s got to put on some weight and get stronger before he’d even more into a top WR2 role – never mind a WR1 or a top WR1. All is well so far, but slow down with the ridiculous comparisons.
    ===================================
    Munch,
    I hope somebody slaps me; but, you finally said something sensible.

  27. Kenton Smith Says:

    Gipper, McMillan learned alot that rookie year. He was almost invisible after the first game until those last 5 games. I think he thought it was gonna be easier than it was and I think Baker taught him a few hard lessons. He’d run a route and not quite be aware of the seam and Baker would have hit him if he had turned in time. I think he cost us a few picks. But he hung in there and Baker didn’t quit on him. He dropped a pass in the playoff game. So? He may have been a step off on the sweep but that was on Baker. If he’s working hard this offseason and I bet he is then he has serious upside. He’s a great 2 receiver. And we’ve got a 1a and 1b that aren’t too shabby. We should be a better offense this season. Oughta be a pleasure to watch. Gipper, Rod said something about LaVonte on another thread that was sensible.

  28. MelvinJunior Says:

    Wasn’t he #1 WR for 3-full games last season with NO Mike Evans & NO Chris Godwin. And, remember… He got hurt. Missed a couple of games at the beginning of the season after the Washington game and then it took him another three games or so, to fully recover, and get back into the grove. Plus, I’m sure he was prob lacking on getting a lot of reps in the preseason as well, being behind Mike, & Chris, and etc. It was his FIRST NFL Preseason/Training Camp. Was really banged-up for at least the first 5-6 games of the season. Once he got his legs back under him and more familiar with a brand new system, teammates, coaches, city (and etc.)… He STEPPED UP. If healthy, EXPECT BIG Things. Hrs been a HOME-RUN so far, & should be even better for this season.

  29. Esteban85 Says:

    I’m down with a WR round 1. Either that ILB, OLB, or CB

 

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