2024 Dynasty Rookie Early Look: Jalen McMillan, WR Washington
Fantasy fans have seen some incredible wide receiver classes over the last decade. There was the 2014 class that had Mike Evans, Davante Adams, and Odell Beckham Jr. 2019 saw AJ Brown and DK Metcalf be the steals of round two, and the 2020 draft had CeeDee Lamb, Justin Jefferson, and Brandon Aiyuk going in round one. Owners have been chasing that nearly immediate production of the 2014 class and there have been plenty of special talents taken since.
The 2024 NFL draft has a load of talent at the top as Marvin Harrison Jr, Malik Nabers, and Rome Odunze are likely to be very early picks in this year’s draft. There are even more, like Keon Coleman, Troy Franklin, Emeka Egbuka, and Xavier Worthy.
While Jalen McMillan might not have that name-brand pedigree of those top players, he is a talented WR who should produce in the right situation. He might not be the next Puka Nacua, but he likely isn’t the next Jalen Reagor either.
Recruitment
Courtesy of 247 Sports.
McMillan was highly regarded coming out of high school in Fresno, California. On 247 Sports, he was seen as the 38th recruit overall in their rankings and ranked as the sixth WR in the class. During his HS career, he scored 54 touchdowns in 50 games and went over 1,800 yards receiving as a sophomore. McMillan also played on the baseball diamond where he lettered twice and competed in track and field. Running in the 100 and 200-meter sprints, McMillan’s best time in the 100-yard dash was 10.67.
Courtesy of MaxPreps.
Listed at 6-2 and 182 pounds, McMillan was recruited by Alabama, Georgia, LSU, and a majority of the old Pac-12 schools. He received offers from 25 different schools before deciding on coming to UW.
Collegiate Career
Courtesy of Sports Reference.
Unfortunately, an injury to his left leg derailed much of McMillan’s 2023 junior season. Looking to build on a third-year sophomore season in 2022 where he went over 1,000 yards, he struggled and didn’t show the same flash in 2023. He started the year with 20 receptions for 311 receiving yards and three TDs over the first two and a half games of the season before injuring his left knee.
Jalen McMillan is SO back🏹
— PFF College (@PFF_College) December 2, 2023
He might not be the alpha-size speed specimen that many of us search for in our rookie drafts but he does well and wins at manipulating defensive backs. McMillan is well used in the UW system when he is put in motion and can capitalize on his route running and physical ability.
Athletic Profile
Measurements from ESPN.
McMillan has a documented 4.53-second 40-yard dash and has run the 100 meters in 10.67. He can beat a team over the top or he can set up defenders with subtle moves off the line of scrimmage for short-yardage situations.
Jalen McMillan manipulation ✅ pic.twitter.com/FDf0qm8tn8
— Jason DiRienzo (@allpurposescout) January 9, 2024
Strengths
- Has the speed to vertically attack teams and the twitch to create separation at the line of scrimmage in short-yardage situations.
- Deep ball. Does well at tracking the deep ball and getting his body into position to make the catch. Willing to go up and attack the ball.
- Long arms allow him to stretch the point of attack and increase his catch radius.
- Yards after the catch as a physical runner who doesn’t go down at first contact. Able to slip defenders and gain yards after the catch.
Be sure to check out our 2024 Dynasty Fantasy Football Rookie Rankings
Weaknesses
- Size. Doesn’t have the physical size to create when pressed on the outside.
- Has been prone to focus drops at times.
- His footwork gets sloppy at times when going through his routes. He can get away with this against lesser defenders.
Draft Value
Courtesy of NFL Mock Draft Database.
Right now NFL Mock Draft Database projects McMillan as a day-three pick at the start of round four. He has also been shown as a possible round-three pick.
Dynasty Outlook
I don’t see McMillan cracking the first two rounds currently in rookie drafts. A great landing spot, like Kansas City, could do wonders if he declares and receives day two draft capital.
Again, in a draft class with Marvin Harrison Jr, Malik Nabers, and Rome Odunze, it will be hard for McMillan to climb above that elite tier and even the second-level prospects. Look for a solid QB draft class and owners chasing the next Sam LaPorta at TE to further depress McMillan’s draft capital in rookie drafts.
Here at DLF, our rookie rankings have McMillan as the 11th-ranked WR. Overall he is seen as the 22nd-ranked rookie prospect. In superflex drafts, he will get pushed down the draft boards. This is not a stellar rookie RB class though which could help increase his rookie ADP.
McMillan is a solid WR who should produce in the NFL as more pro offenses look to mirror the college game with pre-snap motion and exploiting matchups in the slot. He is not the traditional alpha WR size speed model but one who can win in the modern NFL in the proper offense.
Pete is a Western Washington University (Go Vikings! Undefeated at Football since 2009!) History grad with a doctorate in dynasty football, from a certificate he bought online. He prefers stats and analytics but realizes film grinding is an important part of the process. Dabbles in "Mild Takes" and believes in the process.
