2024 NFL Draft Scouting Report: Jalen McMillan

Prospect Summary:

The Washington Huskies had an elite trio of receivers in 2022 and 2023 with Rome Odunze, Ja’Lynn Polk, and McMillan. They terrorized defenses with routes that utilized the deep-ball talent of Michael Penix Jr. After modest numbers in 2021 (39-470-3), McMillan took off in 2022 with 79 catches for 1,098 yards and nine touchdowns. With the Huskies on their way to an appearance in the National Championship, McMillan contributed while playing banged up. He missed four games with a knee issue and was limited in others, but he still contributed some big plays in 2023 while recording 45 catches for 559 yards and five scores.

McMillan does not look like a No. 1 wide receiver for an NFL team, but he could be a solid No. 2 wideout on the outside who also has the flexibility to also line up as a slot receiver. McMillan is a polished receiver who runs solid routes, tracks the ball well, and has functional size and speed. The best trait that McMillan has is dangerous speed as he gets further into the route. McMillan does not have a great step or explosion off the ball, but he has serious build-up speed that lets him take defensive backs by surprise. McMillan is a real threat to get open deep downfield and has the speed to run away from defenders once he makes the catch.

If McMillan had a better first-step, he would be rated higher and have a shot at being a first-round pick in the 2024 NFL Draft. Aside from needing time to reach top speed, McMillan can get pushed around and too easily re-routed by defenders. He needs to improve winning on contested catches for the NFL. While McMillan isn’t bad, he’s not special after the catch.

As a pro, McMillan could be a solid No. 2 or 3 receiver. He looks like a second- or third-round pick in the 2024 NFL Draft.