Jalen McMillan 2024 Fantasy Outlook: Rising Late-Round WR Sleeper in Bucs Offense

Jalen McMillan 2024 fantasy outlook
The Bucs have a three-headed monster at wide receiver.

Prospective Jalen McMillan fantasy football managers have much to be excited about as the rookie wideout makes waves in the Tampa Bay Buccaneers training camp.

The buzz surrounding the former Washington Husky has only intensified with glowing reports and praise from his head coach and quarterback. Early observations and standout performances have led to a boosted Jalen McMillan 2024 fantasy outlook for his upcoming rookie season.

Jalen McMillan, drafted in the third round as the third receiver from Washington behind Rome Odunze and Ja’Lynn Polkcould prove to be a Day 2 draft steal.

Describing McMillan as “so friendly to the ball,” Baker Mayfield sees traits in the young receiver that are often found in seasoned veterans. This kind of praise from the team’s starting quarterback bodes well for McMillan’s role in the offense and his potential 2024 fantasy football outlook.

The rookie’s impressive showing in camp has not gone unnoticed. “He’s a guy that runs so smooth,” Mayfield said. “He does some things at the top of his routes — he’s so friendly to the ball — that veterans do.”

Todd Bowles’ highlighting of McMillan’s intelligence, work ethic, and seamless integration with the team clarifies that the rookie is poised for a significant role. For fantasy football managers looking for that late-round WR sleeper, Jalen McMillan’s potential makes him a player to watch closely as camp develops.

JALEN MCMILLAN PROFILE & SCHEME FIT IN BUCS OFFENSE

DEEP Late-Round WR Sleepers to Target in 2024 Fantasy Football

Standing at 6-foot-1 and weighing 197 pounds, McMillan boasts impressive 4.47 speed and excels as a natural separator, creating space mid-route and using his size to create mismatches.

In the 2022 season, McMillan led the Huskies with 79 receptions and nine touchdowns, and his 1,098 receiving yards were second only to Rome Odunze. However, an early knee injury in 2023 sidelined him for part of the season. It hindered his performance, allowing Ja’Lynn Polk to step into the WR2 role alongside Odunze in Washington’s high-flying offense.

Now, McMillan joins the Buccaneers’ offense as the clear WR3 behind Mike Evans and Chris Godwin. While being Baker Mayfield’s third receiver might not initially seem promising for fantasy football, the situation could be different under the guidance of new offensive coordinator Liam Coen, formerly with the Rams. Last season, the Rams led the league in three-receiver set rate, even without Cooper Kupp for a chunk of the season.

Though known for his slot receiver skills, McMillan has demonstrated versatility in training camp by lining up in various positions across the formation. This is encouraging news for Chris Godwin owners, as Coen’s offense has historically been very favorable to slot receivers, as evidenced by Kupp’s success. Additionally, Godwin’s best seasons occurred when he spent 70% of his snaps in the slot.

A receiving trio of Evans and McMillan on the outside, with Godwin in the slot, has the potential to enhance Mayfield’s fantasy value and provide substantial fantasy production for all three receivers. McMillan’s main competition for the WR3 spot will come from Trey Palmer, Sterling Shepard, and Rakim Jarrett, all of whom provide little resistance to the former Husky’s WR3 potential.

SUMMARY: JALEN MCMILLAN 2024 FANTASY OUTLOOK

Jalen McMillan has made an immediate impact in Bucs’ camp, showing his versatility to move around the formation and complement Mike Evans and Chris Godwin. His ability to quickly pick up the playbook and move around as a rookie in his first training camp has gotten the attention of head coach Todd Bowles and OC Liam Coen.

McMillan, who suffered a knee injury at the beginning of his final season at Washington, contributed to his fall to the end of the third round of the NFL Draft, although he was the team’s clear WR2 when healthy.

If the momentum continues, the former Husky should be third on Baker Mayfield’s target totem pole, with the upside to climb higher if Evans or Godwin miss time during the season. He’s a solid 2024 fantasy football late-round sleeper in redraft and Underdog Best Ball.

McMillan ranks WR85 (+8 vs ECR) on The Wolf’s 2024 Fantasy Football Rankings.

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