McMillan caught his only target for 28 yards in Friday's 24-14 preseason win over the Dolphins. McMillan played the opening drive alongside starting quarterback Baker Mayfield, and the rookie third-round pick's 28-yard grab set up Rachaad White's four-yard rushing touchdown on the next play. The Buccaneers ran three-receiver sets throughout the first-team offense's time in the game, which suggests McMillan is positioned to see prominent playing time out of the gate alongside veteran wide receivers Mike Evans and Chris Godwin. With Tampa Bay's preseason in the books, McMillan's next game will be the Sept. 8 regular-season opener against the Commanders.
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Status
ACTIVELatest Jalen McMillan news
Team
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Birthdate
12/7/2001 (22)
Status
Active
HT/WT
6'1", 192 lbs
Draft Info
2024: Rd 3; Pk (TB)
Birthplace
Fresno, CA, USA
Position
WR
College
Washington
Career History
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
2024-Present
(1 season)
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McMillan caught his only target for 28 yards in Friday's 24-14 preseason win over the Dolphins. McMillan played the opening drive alongside starting quarterback Baker Mayfield, and the rookie third-round pick's 28-yard grab set up Rachaad White's four-yard rushing touchdown on the next play. The Buccaneers ran three-receiver sets throughout the first-team offense's time in the game, which suggests McMillan is positioned to see prominent playing time out of the gate alongside veteran wide receivers Mike Evans and Chris Godwin. With Tampa Bay's preseason in the books, McMillan's next game will be the Sept. 8 regular-season opener against the Commanders.
McMillan is expected to handle third receiver duties in Tampa Bay this season, Jenna Laine of ESPN.com reports. "In the Bucs' three receiver sets, McMillan will line up opposite Mike Evans with Chris Godwin in the slot," Laine wrote. Trey Palmer finished a distant third in targets amongst wide receivers on the Bucs with 68 of them last season, but Tampa Bay used a third-round pick on McMillan back in April, bumping Palmer down the depth chart to WR4. Evans paced the team with 136 looks, and Godwin was a close second at 130. McMillan could have a couple big games in the box score, but it would be a complete surprise if he sees anywhere near the targets as Evans or Godwin.
McMillan (general soreness) brought in one of three targets for six yards in the Buccaneers' 20-7 preseason loss to the Jaguars on Saturday night. The rookie was able to suit up after dealing with some soreness following his first taste of NFL action last Saturday. McMillan was quiet Saturday night but did see an incomplete deep target from Kyle Trask on the opening possession, and he continues to acquit himself competently despite the fact he's yet to have an opportunity to see in-game action with Baker Mayfield under center. McMillan will have one more chance to make a case for the No. 3 receiver job in the preseason finale at home against the Dolphins on Friday night.
McMillan was dealing with what head coach Todd Bowles labeled "general soreness" Monday, leading to the rookie wearing a red non-contact jersey in practice, Scott Smith of the team's official site reports. McMillan continued to make a strong case for the No. 3 receiver job in Saturday's preseason win over the Bengals, recording two receptions for 23 yards. However, it appears his first taste of professional on-field action also left him a bit worse for wear, and it remains to be seen if if the rookie will be able to participate in the first day of joint practices with the Jaguars on Wednesday.
McMillan secured both targets for 23 yards in the Buccaneers' 17-14 preseason win over the Bengals on Saturday night. McMillan was able to carry over some of the momentum from his strong training camp performances, recording both his grabs just one play apart during the Buccaneers' second possession. The rookie has been pushing Trey Palmer for the No. 3 receiver job with his work in camp, and the battle could go straight through Tampa Bay's three preseason contests.
Coach Todd Bowles suggested Thursday that McMillan and other rookies will play in Saturday's preseason game against the Bengals, Brianna Dix of the Buccaneers' official site reports. McMillan has spent a lot of time with the first-team offense at training camp and reportedly caught a lot of passes from Baker Mayfield, seemingly putting the third-round pick on track to replace holdover Trey Palmer as the Bucs' No. 3 receiver. Most of the Tampa starters will be held out Saturday evening, but McMillan looks to be an exception in light of Bowles saying that "all the rookies" will play. McMillan figures to get playing time early in the game while Kyle Trask is under center.
McMillan has been thriving throughout training camp and has drawn attention for his work ethic and attention to detail, Brianna Dix of the team's official site reports. The rookie third-round pick has drawn praise from head coach Todd Bowles and quarterback Baker Mayfield, with the former singling out McMillan's intelligence and hunger for improvement while adding that "the receiving group loves him." The Washington product, who missed four games for the Huskies in 2023 due to a knee injury but was a 1,000-yard receiver the season prior, is capable of stretching the field and gaining separation but has also proven adept on choice and option routes. For his part, Mayfield has stated he's already learning that McMillan is also proficient in contested-catch situations, noting "he's going to make plays when the ball is in the air, and that's one thing I'm continuing to learn -- really, just give him a chance."
McMillan excelled at Thursday's practice, catching at least two touchdown passes from starting QB Baker Mayfield, according to Rick Stroud of the Tampa Bay Times. Greg Auman of Fox Sports and Scott Smith of the Buccaneers' official site confirm that McMillan was one of Tampa Bay's standouts during the second day of training camp practices. The rookie third-round pick is expected to compete with incumbent No. 3 receiver Trey Palmer, a 2023 sixth-round selection who had only 385 yards on 68 targets last year (5.7 yards per target). Palmer may theoretically be a better fit now that Chris Godwin is moving back to the slot as his primary position -- which pushes the third WR out to the perimeter more -- but McMillan is emerging as an early favorite for the No. 3 job.