Jalen McMillan Carving Out Key Role For Buccaneers

Tampa Bay Buccaneers rookie wide receiver Jalen McMillan was outstanding throughout Sunday’s 40-17 blowout win over the Los Angeles Chargers. McMillan recorded five receptions on six targets for 75 yards and a touchdown. He’s starting to play like a long-term starting-caliber wideout.

McMillan opened the scoring in Sunday's triumph over Jim Harbaugh’s team. Facing a 3rd-and-4 just minutes into the first quarter from Chargers territory, the former Washington standout was seen streaking down the sideline. Buccaneers quarterback Baker Mayfield connected with McMillan for a wide-open 26-yard touchdown. It was his third score in the previous two games.

McMillan ranked second on the Buccaneers in receptions, receiving yards, and targets. He complemented future Hall of Famer Mike Evans, who torched the Chargers for nine catches, 159 yards, and two touchdowns. McMillan is serving as an effective No. 2 receiver in a high-octane Buccaneers offense that's scored 26 or more points in four straight showings.

Given what McMillan achieved in a 28-13 victory over the Las Vegas Raiders in Week 14, it was an appropriate follow-up showing. The third-round rookie had his official breakout game, accumulating four catches for 59 yards and two touchdowns. McMillan is showing real chemistry with Mayfield as the campaign progresses.

The Chargers played extremely soft coverage on McMillan on Sunday. The first-year receiver saw an average cushion distance of 7.7 yards from defenders at the time of the snap, according to data collected by Next Gen Stats. Naturally, McMillan used that space to his advantage to be a weapon for Mayfield. He created an average of 3.6 yards of separation on his intended targets.

McMillan also created some post-catch opportunities for himself. McMillan averaged 3.1 yards after catch per reception. That was nearly a full yard more than his expected yards after catch per reception (xYAC/R) of 2.3. 

McMillan's emergence has been critical to a Buccaneers team amid a four-game win streak that makes them the third-hottest team in football. With their NFC South rival Atlanta Falcons entering Monday Night Football on a four-game skid, the Buccaneers have taken control of the division. As things stand, they'd host the Green Bay Packers at Raymond James Stadium in the wild-card round.

McMillan's form also provides the Buccaneers with long-term security at receiver. Pro Bowl wide receiver Chris Godwin is slated to become an unrestricted free agent in the offseason. Godwin, who suffered a season-ending dislocated ankle in Week 7, has a market value of a contract worth roughly $22.8 million per season, according to Spotrac. The Buccaneers are slated to possess a modest $14.1 million in effective cap space (per OverTheCap) and can ill-afford to re-sign him. McMillan is already playing like a natural replacement.

The Buccaneers' offense is currently firing on all cylinders. Offensive coordinator Liam Coen has Mayfield playing the best football of his professional career this season. The emergent McMillan has revealed himself to be a legitimate playmaker opposite Evans in an in-form Buccaneers offense that's helping the team race toward the playoffs.