With their third and remaining decide on Day 2 of the 2024 NFL Draft, the Bucs took a step towards constructing their receiving corps for each this yr and the longer term. Tampa Bay’s spent its second third-round decide – No. 92 general – on Washington broad receiver Jalen McMillan.
Washington WR Jalen McMillan – Picture by: USA Right this moment
After redshirting in 2020, McMillan flashed potential in 2021 as he caught 39 passes for 470 yards (12.1 avg.) and three touchdowns. He went on to interrupt out in 2022, catching 79 passes for 1,098 yards (13.9 avg.) and 9 touchdowns.
His 2023 season was hampered by a knee harm (he missed 4 video games), however he nonetheless managed 45 catches for 553 yards (12.3 avg.) and 5 touchdowns as Washington went on to the School Soccer Playoff Closing.
His manufacturing for the Huskies was at its greatest in 2022, however he was nonetheless a playmaker final season for an offense that had a top-10 decide in Rome Odunze and a second-rounder in Ja’Lynn Polk.
The 6-foot-1, 203-pound McMillan is a clean, pure receiver who has an excellent really feel for his routes and possesses 4.47 velocity. He has an entire lot of expertise working out of the slot, taking part in 459 snaps within the slot in 2022 earlier than spending one other 231 snaps there in 2023.
With as many snaps as McMillan has performed within the slot, it’ll be fascinating to see how new Bucs offensive coordinator Liam Coen goes about utilizing him. The third-round decide will presumably be Tampa Bay’s new No. 3 broad receiver, however Coen beforehand spoke about wanting to make use of Chris Godwin out of the slot extra in 2024 than former offensive coordinator Dave Canales did in 2023. Whether or not that continues to be the plan after the addition of the previous Washington receiver will probably be an fascinating plot level to observe because the Bucs get again collectively for his or her offseason exercises and ultimately coaching camp.
Bucs Go Again To The Washington Pipeline To Draft Jalen McMillan
Washington WR Jalen McMillan – Picture by: USA Right this moment
It’s no secret that the Bucs love drafting gamers from the College of Washington, as they did so once more on Friday evening with the choice of Jalen McMillan. Tampa Bay drafted Washington defensive sort out Vita Vea in 2018, then picked Washington edge rusher Joe Tryon-Shoyinka in 2021.
The staff’s affinity for former Huskies gamers continued in 2022 with the addition of tight finish Cade Otton. The staff additionally signed former Washington defensive lineman Greg Gaines final offseason, then re-signed him this offseason.
“I believe a few of it’s coincidence and I believe a few of it’s, when you discuss Washington, that’s a terrific program,” assistant normal supervisor John Spytek mentioned after the Bucs drafted Otton in 2022. “These children come out of there properly skilled, they’re good individuals, they’re our form of individuals.”
McMillan and Otton briefly overlapped at Washington, and the brand new Bucs broad receiver advised the native media Friday evening that he’s excited to hyperlink up along with his fellow Huskies in Tampa.
“I performed with Cade for somewhat bit,” McMillan mentioned. “Me and him had been cool. I discovered from him when it got here to catching as a result of he at all times caught with no gloves. So simply watching that was form of inspiring. I knew Joe, however Joe was a yr earlier than me. I’m fairly certain we’ll join after I get to Tampa. Clearly, I can’t wait to be with these guys and might’t wait to be taught from Cade, clearly. Tampa, a bodily staff they usually like to throw the ball. So I’m simply excited to get there and be a pass-catcher.”
McMillan joins a large receiver room that features Bucs legend and future Corridor of Famer Mike Evans, in addition to one other 1,000-yard receiver in Chris Godwin. The previous Washington star will doubtless slot in because the staff’s WR3, then 2023 sixth-round decide Trey Palmer, Deven Thompkins and Rakim Jarrett will presumably spherical out the depth within the room except the staff provides one other receiver on Day 3 of the draft.
