Jalen McMillan is starting to emerge and resemble the wide receiver we saw when the Bucs selected him 92nd overall. McMillan, a 6-foot-1, 192-pound wideout from Washington, has compiled an impressive resume with the Huskies and was a star of training camp in Tampa Bay over the summer.
It took him some time to fully get used to things at the NFL level, but he’s getting started shape into a round shape He has spent the last few weeks filling the role of No. 2 wide receiver replacing Chris Godwin. His development provided a much-needed upgrade to the position and added another layer to an already dangerous attacking line. He spoke this week about what that growth has been attributed to and what it’s like to learn from the team’s veterans.
‘Consistency’ is key for Jalen McMillan
Bucks WR Jalen McMillan – Photo courtesy of USA Today
Jalen McMillan has done nearly half of his damage this season in the past two weeks. McMillan, who had nine catches, 134 receiving yards and three touchdowns in wins over the Raiders and Chargers, has emerged as one of quarterback Baker Mayfield’s primary targets in the passing game. Mayfield always knew his potential, and now he’s starting to reveal it on the field.
Mayfield called Macmillan’s growth throughout the year “consistent.” “That’s the biggest thing. He always had the potential to be a really, really good player. It’s about putting everything together and being consistent. It’s about where he should be at the time. That applies to the pass game as well as the run game. You can see that he takes real pride in the run game and what he does.”
McMillan will look to continue playing this week against the Cowboys on Sunday night. Getting the same level of production out of him will help the Bucks stay in the win column.
Bucs QB Baker Mayfield and WRs Mike Evans and Jalen McMillan – Photo courtesy of USA Today
“Just being consistent, always haggling over the details, trusting each other and having a great week of practice,” McMillan said of staying consistent.
What does his recent success mean to him?
“Just practice better and become more.” [intentional] About the way I practice,” McMillan added. “Touchdowns are cool, but I want to win, so right now I’m just focused on winning.”
It’s easy to be intentional with him. “Catching a football” [laughs]. Just put yourself in a game-like situation. If I make the first play of practice, I have to block just like in a real game. Just put yourself in a game-like situation. ”
Jalen McMillan is a ‘playmaker’ and enjoys learning in Bucs’ WR room
Bucs WR Jalen McMillan – Photo by Cliff Welch/PR
Sterling Shepard made the most of his opportunity and had a productive year after being promoted to the active roster during the season. As a veteran wide receiver who has been around for many years, Shepard had a chance to watch Jalen McMillan move the ball his way in a similar way in recent games.
“It’s been great to see” McMillan’s growth, Shepherd told The Pewter Report. “Obviously, we knew he was a playmaker from the moment he came here, and we’ve seen his development over the last few weeks and he’s starting to find his form, so it’s perfect timing. We need his big plays.”
McMillan credits veterans like Shepard and Mike Evans for teaching him throughout the season.
“I definitely felt more comfortable with the speed of the game and the tips they gave me,” McMillan told Pewter Report. “It feels good to have them running routes next to me. It just boosts my confidence because I feel like I can win just as much as they can win.”
What is the atmosphere like among the Bucks’ WRs?
Bucs WRs Jalen McMillan and Sterling Shepard – Photo by Cliff Welch/PR
Jalen McMillan had the opportunity to learn from some of the best in the business in Mike Evans and Chris Godwin, resulting in a dynamic wide receiver room similar to last year. In 2023, veteran David Moore brings an abundance of energy and changes the dynamic of early morning position meetings. This year, Sterling Shepard filled that role, and each of them shared the role.
Asked if it would remain a high-energy room, Shepherd said, “I think so too.” “We have players who are really focused on their job and it shows on game day. We have a lot of players who can make big plays, which is always good, but who are you guarding? , which makes it difficult for the defense to know who to pay attention to.”
macmillan Enjoy the fire that Shepherd brings And the tone Evans sets on and off the field.
“That’s interesting,” McMillan said. “‘Shep’ is probably the funniest guy in the group. Mike, he sets the standard for the day, and I pick his head and match his schedule to mine.”
It won’t always be fun for the Bucs to play the Cowboys in prime time, but Jalen McMillan will look to continue his recent success and continue to make an impact like he did for Tampa Bay. Another must-win game In front of them.
