Jalen McMillan NFL Draft Profile
Position: Wide Receiver
Height: 6′-0″ (Projection)
Weight: 190 pounds (Projection)
School: Washington
2024 NFL Draft: Jalen McMillan Scouting Report
McMillan went to high school in Fresno, California, where he played baseball and received offers from Oklahoma and USC to become a dual-sport athlete. His “go get it” experience from baseball is reflected in his football film. McMillan committed to playing college football at the University of Washington, choosing it over Notre Dame and Alabama.
In his freshman year of 2020, McMillan played sparingly, recording only one catch for 16 yards. However, in his sophomore season in 2021, his production increased, leading the team in receiving yards with 470, hauling in three touchdowns and 39 catches.
During the 2022 season, Jalen McMillan started in seven out of 13 games, finishing with 1,098 receiving yards on 79 catches for nine touchdowns. He was named 2022 All-Pac-12 Honorable Mention.
Going into the 2023 season, Jalen McMillan was named to the 2023 Biletnikoff Award Preseason Watch List. However, a knee injury wiped out four games and limited him in several others. Despite that, he was still efficient and opted to play through it when he could rather than sit out and declare for the draft. He finished the season with 553 yards on 45 catches for five touchdowns.
Due to his injury-riddled 2023 season, McMillan’s 2022 season will be used when comparing him to his 2024 draft class peers.
Strengths
- Jalen McMillan has NFL speed. He separates with speed & routes. When making the catch, defenders are often found yards away. He has the length to eat up grass in a hurry.
- He’s a very reliable route runner. He has excellent situational ball awareness. McMillan possesses really good body control.
- Jalen McMillan is a natural hands catcher. He catches out in front of himself. He tracks the ball well at all levels of the defense.
- McMillan has great stop/start ability. He changes gears quickly. He is a quick and fast athlete.
- Jalen McMillan is a great manipulator. He had many tricks, including head fakes, hesitation moves, skip steps, and an ability to vary his release timing and pacing.
- He consistently has crisp routes and is a crafty route runner with pristine footwork. He has nfl feet and cuts at the top of his stem. McMillan sinks his hips like a pro. He dog walks defensive backs through his routes. He’ll put defensive backs in the blender.
- Jalen McMillan has a strong feel for holes in zone coverage. He has a good football IQ. He has an innate sense for splitting the 2nd and 3rd levels. With development, McMillan can play a variety of roles.
- 2022 Season Vs. 2024 Draft Wide Receivers: Yards After The Catch Per Reception 6.4 (T-13th), Average Depth Of Target 13.1 (14th).
Weaknesses
- Jalen McMillan is a willing blocker but gets knocked backward.
- His frame is likely maxed out at 190. He’s not physical. McMillan has a lean build and average arm length.
- He is an average NFL athlete. His burst could be better, considering his quick feet. He’s a limited threat against press coverage.
- Jalen McMillan gets moved off routes due to physicality, possibly limiting him to the slot only.
- There are too many drops on the resume. There are some unnecessary movements when making catches. McMillan needs to fight for the ball in a crowded air space.
- Jalen McMillan is not a dynamic player in space. He isn’t known for making guys miss.
- 2022 Season Vs. 2024 Draft Wide Receivers: Pro Football Focus Receiving Grade 77.5 (21st), Yards Per Route Run 2.3 (T-21st), Target Dominator Percentage 20.5% (21st).
NFL Comparison: Davante Adams
Team Fits With Need At Position: Carolina Panthers, Arizona Cardinals, Denver Broncos, New England Patriots, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Projection: Round 2 / Round 3
Statistics gathered from Pro Football Focus
NFL Comparison, Round Projections, and Team Fits are my own.
Bottom Line on Jalen McMillan
Jalen McMillan is a committed route runner who takes pride in his craft. He is a very astute player with veteran poise in his understanding of route running. McMillan creates separation with his precise routes and above-average speed. He is a lean receiver, but he possesses exceptional athletic traits. He moves across the field with superb agility and fluidity.
McMillan stands out in his ability to separate from defenders at an elite level. He can control his speed, make sharp cuts, and have nuance in his routes, which puts him in the same league as some of the best receivers in the class. However, McMillan struggles against physical defenders, and his frame has a lower ceiling. Unless he improves his game against physicality, he may be limited to the slot in the NFL.
Jalen McMillan provides an excellent foundation for a starting wide receiver in the league. He has few weaknesses in his game, and nearly everything that needs improvement can be coached. McMillan has the chance to be the next Puke Nacua success story.
Main Photo: Junfu Han-USA TODAY NETWORK
