Jalen McMillan Film Review: Finding His Best Fit In Bucs Offense

The focal point of most NFL offenses is the “X” receiver or split end position. And while that isn’t necessarily going to be the case with the Bucs under Liam Coen, Jalen McMillan still isn’t a good fit for the position.

X receivers need to be strong off the line of scrimmage as they are most likely to face press coverage since they line up. They are usually deep threats with either elite speed or ball skills to win downfield against opposing teams’ best corners. A good example of a prototypical X receiver is Tampa Bay’s Mike Evans. And Evans will continue to fill that role for the Bucs as he has for over a decade across multiple offensive coordinators and schemes.

McMillan will not supplant Evans or act as his understudy. He isn’t extremely strong or physical when dealing with contact which would make for difficult releases for him. And with Godwin fulfilling the F receiver role, McMillan will most likely (based off of Coen’s public comments) act as the team’s “Z” receiver or flanker position. This will keep him off the line of scrimmage while working the field side of a 3×1 formation (three receivers, one tight end).

Jalen McMillan’s Skillset

While Jalen McMillan posted a solid speed score in his pre-draft process, running a 4.47 40-yard dash, he doesn’t often run away from defenses. But he can win down field as most Z receivers do – with great footwork and subtle body movements that add up to impressive route running.

He is also adept at finding holes in the zone and becoming a safety net for his quarterback.

McMillan’s quick in and out of his cuts which helps him get open quickly on short-to-intermediate out routes. Liam Coen, coming from the L.A. Rams offensive system, should have a heavy usage of speed outs that McMillan can win on early as he builds within the system.

Drawbacks To Jalen McMillan’s Game

I already mentioned Jalen McMillan struggles to win against press or in situations where he has to play through contact. That is also evidenced by the lack of contested catches and contested catch opportunities he had over four seasons at Washington. He only had five catches in 25 of those chances.

I’m also skeptical of his ability to create after the catch. McMillan averaged 5.6 yards after the catch in college, but I attribute many of those yards to the scheme he worked in giving him plenty of room to run after securing a pass. A better idea of how he can create with the ball in his hands is how well he works on screens. His two years as a full-time player (2022 and 2023) McMillan caught 35 of his 36 targets for 237 yards and a touchdown while averaging over 10 yards after the catch at Washington.

I cut up six of those 36 targets.

The extra steps are a lot of wasted motion. But you can see one rep where he hammers down the accelerator rather than try and stop and juke, and he really gains some ground.

How The Bucs Can Best Use Jalen McMillan

Given the context, with the Bucs now adopting a system that will look a lot like the Rams, and Jalen McMillan’s skillset I can’t help but think he would work as their version of Puka Nacua. Nacua is at is best as a Z receiver operating out of motion constantly in Sean McVay’s offense in Los Angeles. And that is exactly how the Bucs can minimize McMillan’s weaknesses while leveraging his strengths.

Getting him on the move means he doesn’t have to contend with jams and that gets him into his routes with speed where he can layer in his head-fakes and footwork at full speed. Imagine McMillan working in Nacua’s role on the below play.