The Tampa Bay Buccaneers drafted University of Washington wideout Jalen McMillan with the 92nd overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft on Friday night, adding him to a receiver group that already includes Pro Bowlers Mike Evans and Chris Godwin. It won't be the first time that McMillan has shared the spotlight with a pair of talented teammates, and the Buccaneers hope he will be just as productive this time around.
The Washington program was obviously loaded at the receiver position, with Rome Odunze going ninth overall to the Chicago Bears and Ja'Lynn Polk coming off the board five picks into the second round. A knee injury limited McMillan in 2023 but he topped 1,000 yards for the Huskies in 2022 and caught nine touchdown passes.
View pictures of University of Washington Jalen McMillan, who Tampa Bay selected in the third round of the 2024 NFL Draft.
Washington's Jalen McMillan stands on the field against Arkansas State in an NCAA college football game Saturday, Sept. 18, 2021, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Elaine Thompson)
Washington wide receiever Jalen McMillan makes a reception between Stanford defensive back Kendall Williamson, left, and defensive back Jonathan McGill, right, during the second half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Sept. 24, 2022, in Seattle. Washington won 40-22. (AP Photo/Stephen Brashear)
Washington wide receiver Jalen McMillan points to the crowd after catching a pass for a first down against Oregon State during the first half of an NCAA college football game Friday, Nov. 4, 2022, in Seattle. (AP Photo/John Froschauer)
Washington wide receiver Jalen McMillan runs with the ball during an NCAA college football game against Colorado, Saturday, Nov. 19, 2022, in Seattle. Washington won 54-7. (AP Photo/Stephen Brashear)
Washington wide receiver Jalen McMillan runs with the ball during an NCAA college football game against Colorado, Saturday, Nov. 19, 2022, in Seattle. Washington won 54-7. (AP Photo/Stephen Brashear)
Washington wide receiver Jalen McMillan lines up for a play during the second half of an NCAA college football game against Washington State, Saturday, Nov. 26, 2022, in Pullman, Wash. (AP Photo/Young Kwak)
Texas defensive back Anthony Cook, left, breaks up a pass intended for Washington wide receiver Jalen McMillan (11) during the first half of the Alamo Bowl NCAA college football game in San Antonio, Thursday, Dec. 29, 2022. (AP Photo/Eric Gay)
Washington wide receiver Jalen McMillan (11) fails to make a catch in front of Texas defensive back Ryan Watts (6) during the first half of the Alamo Bowl NCAA college football game in San Antonio, Thursday, Dec. 29, 2022. (AP Photo/Eric Gay)
FILE - Washington wide receiver Jalen McMillan runs with the ball during an NCAA college football game against Colorado, Saturday, Nov. 19, 2022, in Seattle. Washington opens their season at home against Boise State on Sept. 2.(AP Photo/Stephen Brashear, File)
Washington wide receiver Jalen McMillan (11) catches a touchdown in front of Boise State safety Alexander Teubner, left, during the first half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Sept. 2, 2023, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson)
Washington wide receiver Jalen McMillan is pictured during an NCAA football game against Boise State on Saturday, Sept. 2, 2023, in Seattle. Washington won 56-19. (AP Photo/Stephen Brashear)
Washington wide receiver Jalen McMillan (11) is lifted up by offensive lineman Parker Brailsford (72) as they celebrate McMillan's touchdown during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Boise State, Saturday, Sept. 2, 2023, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson)
Washington wide receiver Rome Odunze, left, reacts with teammate Jalen McMillan (11) after making a touchdown catch against Washington State during the second half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Nov. 25, 2023, in Seattle. Washington won 24-21. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson)
Washington wide receiver Jalen McMillan (looks on during the first half of the Pac-12 championship NCAA college football game against Oregon Friday, Dec. 1, 2023, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/David Becker)
Washington wide receiver Jalen McMillan (11) runs in the end zone for a touchdown against Texas during the second half of the Sugar Bowl CFP NCAA semifinal college football game, Monday, Jan. 1, 2024, in New Orleans. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)
Washington wide receiver Jalen McMillan celebrates after scoring against Michigan during the first half of the national championship NCAA College Football Playoff game Monday, Jan. 8, 2024, in Houston. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)
The University of Washington football team defeats Oregon 34-31 in the Pac-12 Football Championship at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas, Nev. on December 1, 2023.(Photography by Scott Eklund/Red Box Pictures)
The University of Washington football team defeats Oregon 34-31 in the Pac-12 Football Championship at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas, Nev. on December 1, 2023.(Photography by Scott Eklund/Red Box Pictures)
The University of Washington football team defeats Oregon 34-31 in the Pac-12 Football Championship at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas, Nev. on December 1, 2023.(Photography by Scott Eklund/Red Box Pictures)
The University of Washington football team plays Michigan for the National Championship at NRG Stadium in Houston, TX on January 8, 2024. (Photography by Scott Eklund/Red Box Pictures)
"Had it not been for the injury this year, I think he would have had no chance to be where we just picked him," said Assistant General Manager John Spytek. "But he missed some games this year, tried to fight through it. He had a thousand yards [in 2022], which is pretty impressive. When you talk to the people in that building, they had a high level of respect for Jalen and thought that he was really similar and close to the level that both Rome and both that other Jalen were."
McMillan (6-1, 197) is a long-strider with good first-step acceleration and the ability to pick up yards after he gets the ball in his hands. He also has some experience in the return game, which could add some value after the NFL dramatically revamped its kickoff return process.
"He's a natural receiver," said Spytek. "He plays like the game makes sense to him. His route-running is very, very fluid. We talked to several DBs throughout the process. When we asked them, 'Who's the hardest cover that you've had all year?' several of them mentioned him, just because he's such a good athlete and has such a good feel for running routes. That combination makes it an extremely hard cover. He has great hands, he can run, he's a low 4.4 guy on our watch, he's still big. High expectations for him. He's played football on a high level."
