Jalen McMillan is starting to come along and look more like the wide receiver the Bucs saw when they made him the 92nd overall pick. McMillan, the 6-foot-1, 192-pound wideout from Washington, put together an impressive resume with the Huskies and was a training camp star in Tampa Bay over the summer.

It has taken him some time to fully get into the swing of things at the NFL level, but he has started to round into form in recent weeks to help fill the No. 2 wide receiver spot in Chris Godwin’s shoes. His growth has been a much-needed boost for the position and has added another layer to an already dangerous offense. He shared this week what that growth can be attributed to and what it has been like learning from the team’s veterans.

“Staying Consistent” Is Key For Jalen McMillan

Bucs WR Jalen McMillan – Photo by: USA Today

Jalen McMillan has done nearly half of his damage this season over the past two weeks. With nine catches for 134 receiving yards and three touchdowns in wins against the Raiders and Chargers, McMillan has emerged as one of quarterback Baker Mayfield’s go-to targets in the passing game. Mayfield has always known about his potential, and now it’s beginning to reveal itself on the field.

“Consistency,” Mayfield said about McMillan’s growth throughout the year. “That’s the biggest thing. He’s always had the potential to be a really, really good player. It’s just about putting it all together, being consistent. That’s not just in the pass game concepts of where he’s supposed to be at and when, but in the run game, as well. You see him taking true pride in the run game and what he’s supposed to be doing.”

McMillan will be looking to keep up his play against the Cowboys this Sunday night. Getting the same production level out of him will help the Bucs stay in the win column.

Bucs QB Baker Mayfield and WRs Mike Evans and Jalen McMillan – Photo by: USA Today

“Just staying consistent, harping on the details always, and just trusting each other and having a great week of practice,” McMillan said about keeping consistency.

What has the recent success meant to him?

“Just practicing better, being more [intentional] with how I practice,” McMillan added. “It’s cool – touchdowns are cool – but I want to win, so I’m just focused on winning right now.”

Being intentional to him is simple. “Catching the football [laughs]. It’s just putting yourself in game-like situations. If I’ve got a first play of practice, you’ve got to block like it’s the real game. Just putting yourself in game-like situations.”

Jalen McMillan Is A “Playmaker,” Enjoys Learning In Bucs’ WR Room

Bucs WR Jalen McMillan – Photo by: Cliff Welch/PR

Sterling Shepard has had a productive year, having made the most of his opportunity after being elevated to the active roster during the season. As a veteran wide receiver who has been around for a while, Shepard has had the chance to see Jalen McMillan do the same with the ball going his way more in recent games.

“It’s been good to see,” Shepard told Pewter Report about McMillan’s growth. “Obviously, we knew him since he got in here that he’s a playmaker. Just to see his growth over the past couple of weeks and him starting to catch his stride is perfect timing and we’re going to need big plays out of him.”

McMillan has appreciated what veterans like Shepard and Mike Evans have taught him throughout the season.

“Definitely has gotten me more comfortable to just the speed of the game and on top of tips they give me,” McMillan told Pewter Report. “It makes me feel good having those guys next to me running routes. I feel like I can win just like how they win so it’s just a confidence booster.”

What’s The Vibe Like Between Bucs WRs?

Bucs WRs Jalen McMillan and Sterling Shepard – Photo by: Cliff Welch/PR

Jalen McMillan has had the chance to learn from the best in the business in Mike Evans and Chris Godwin, and like last year, it has been an energetic wide receiver room. In 2023, veteran David Moore brought plenty of energy and changed the dynamic in position meetings early in the morning. Sterling Shepard has filled that role this year, and each shared what it’s like.

“I’d say the same,” Shepard said when asked about whether it has remained a high-energy room. “We got guys that really focus on doing their job and it shows on game day. We have a lot of guys who can make big plays. It’s always good to have, it makes it tough on a defense for who they’re going to guard and who they’re going to pay attention to.”

McMillan enjoys the fire Shepard brings and the tone Evans sets on and off the field.

“It’s funny, man,” McMillan said. “‘Shep’ is probably the funniest one in the group. Shoot, Mike, he is the one who sets the standard throughout the day and I pick his brain and acclimate his schedule to mine.”

It will not be all fun and games when the Bucs play the Cowboys in Primetime, but Jalen McMillan will look to continue his recent success and make an impact down the stretch as Tampa Bay has another must-win game in front of them.