Ben Solak: Buy Stock In Jalen McMillan
July 9th, 2026
Time to fly.
One reason the Bucs, though distraught, haven’t (yet) checked into mental rehab over Mike Evans bolting so he could take a pay cut and pay much more in state taxes is because of what the Bucs have on the roster.
Sure, the Bucs (finally) have a healthy Chris Godwin. That helps. And the Bucs have Emeka Egbuka, who showed major flashes last year that he could be him. But it is a guy who was cheap-shotted by a piece of Steelers camp meat that, as a result, a lot of folks forgot about. And that’s Jalen McMillan.
As a rookie in 2024, he finished the season strong scoring seven touchdowns in the final five games of the regular season. Then last year in a worthless preseason game, McMillan was undercut and landed on his head.
He missed the first 13 games with broken neck vertebrae. When he did return against the Dixie Chicks on Thursday Night Football, his first catch was a 20-yard grab at the goal line when he took a vicious shot. His neck proved to be fine.
Ben Solak of ESPN hasn’t forgotten how McMillan and believes McMillan will pick right up and continue his progress.
I have not been shy about my lofty expectations for second-year wide receiver Emeka Egbuka, who I think can lead the league in receptions with coordinator Zac Robinson now calling the plays. But Egbuka was splitting No. 3 receiver snaps last season with McMillan, who is an impressive receiver in his own right.
McMillan, like Egbuka, saw most of his rookie season limited by hamstring issues. And McMillan’s 2025 sophomore season was also almost nonexistent because of a preseason neck injury.
If McMillan can stay on the field, he is the best candidate for outside receiver snaps. And he has the large radius and spectacular catch ability that the Bucs need following the departure of Mike Evans. Chris Godwin Jr. won’t fall out of the lineup entirely — he’s too reliable — but McMillan brings enough juice as a run blocker to eat into those snaps, too.
If McMillan can take that next proverbial step from his rookie year — let’s be real, last year was a wash for him — then the thought of a top-shelf McMillan alongside Godwin and Egbuka has Joe salivating.
And in the background rookie Ted Hurst will be lying in the weeds ready to pounce on an opportunity.
Joe can understand why Bucs types have snapped out of their fetal position after the Evans escape.
July 9th, 2026 at 7:18 am
Tez might surprise us even more this year.
July 9th, 2026 at 7:22 am
I think we’ll be fine in the WR room. While nobody can predict the future, it seemed like M Evans body was regularly breaking down, so I’d put money on the Under when it comes to his production this year.
Thank you for your services, now please take home 1 Dollar for every 3 you make!
July 9th, 2026 at 7:42 am
TBBF has been saying that JMac is the WR to watch…..big star potential
July 9th, 2026 at 7:47 am
We’re gonna be just fine without Old Man Evan’s and his feeble hamstrings and ridiculous hairline.
July 9th, 2026 at 8:06 am
I didn’t think ME was a me player until 2024. It was great to see him get his 1000 yards at the end of the last game, the team & coaches forced it to him, and everyone celebrated with him. Then last year he openly talked about the importance of his streak when asked, which I thought was a bit off character. In previous years he would deflect and talk about the team instead. He definitely saw the WR stockpile at One Buc as a threat to his touches. And knowing CG was going to be healthier he decided to head to SF in search of targets. It’s all about stat padding and nothing to do about Baker vs Brock, TB vs SF nor any hidden mysterious theory. But that won’t stop the Joes from turning over rocks. Perhaps someday they’ll find that elusive crawdaddy.
July 9th, 2026 at 8:10 am
Jmac and Tez will surprise this year…imo, they both have that DAWG in them…should be fun to watch
GO BUCS!!!!
July 9th, 2026 at 8:16 am
Two burning questions as we approach the regular season:
Will Joe be posting a weekly Mike Evans stat watch column?
If so, will it include any 4 catch, 46 yard games or just those where he outperforms our best receiver of the week?
Tune in to Joe Bucs (kinda unless the player I like leaves) Fan this season to find out!
July 9th, 2026 at 8:26 am
JMac is the real deal. Can’t wait to see him play this season.
July 9th, 2026 at 8:31 am
“the thought of a top-shelf McMillan along with Godwin and Egbuka has Joe salivating for what might be.”
Add in Bucky, Gainwell, Tez, Otton and maybe Bauer. Can you say the cupboard is stacked!!
July 9th, 2026 at 8:35 am
I didn’t forget about him. Always liked him. I see a pretty good year for JMac..
July 9th, 2026 at 8:53 am
Drunk fan, trust me, if Evans has a big game, you won’t need to go any further than this. Hitching Post to find out about it. Whether it’s in a self-contained article or by other so-called fans, vomiting it out in post after post. No need to search for his stats. They will come to you.
July 9th, 2026 at 8:55 am
Take a quick look at Zac Robinson’s 2025 Falcons offense. They passed on 52% of their plays & ran on 48%, generating a total of 1048 plays on offense. Assume that the Bucs are able to match that this year & that Baker is our QB in all 17 games:
o Baker took 36 sacks last season & 40 sacks in 2024, so let’s say he hits the mid-point at 38 sacks this season.
o Bucs had an average of 1081 offense plays in the past 2 years (1068 in 2025 & 1094 in 2024). So if Zac stays consistent with his 52% passing & 48% rushing that’d be 562 passing attempts (38 sacks & 524 passes thrown) plus 519 rushes.
o Baker’s career completion percentage is 63.5%, so of the 524 passes he actually throws, he’d complete 333 of them, for 3773 passing yds, 26 TDs & 13 INTs.
o Bucs have a bunch of receivers vying for those 524 passes thrown. Long as they stay healthy, Godwin & Egbuka will get more than a fair share of those targets, with McMillan & Otton coming in next. And oh ya, our RBs will all get a pretty good share of those targets.
Point being: LOTS of mouths to feed. The numbers for the passing game would be a lot higher though IF Zac favors the passing game much more than he does the running game. All depends IMO on how effective the running game is (Todd LOVES a good running game).
July 9th, 2026 at 9:11 am
DR — a hidden fact: the kind of offense you have dictates the way you play defense.
High powered passing teams (think Manning or Brees) put up points. Fast. Their defenses tend to be smaller and designed to play from in front.
We all know how defensive coaches love running games. They shorten the game and give players time to rest. Scores are not only lower but closer. Those defenses tend to be heavier and more rounded. Think the Texans for example.
Look what the Bucs are putting together for this season. Bigger, especially up front. Fast in the secondary, especially nickel and safety. Our corners are not built for punishment but then the front seven should absorb a lot of the rushing and tight end responsibilities.
We haven’t seen the New Bucs Defense play yet. But just from how it’s put together we get a glimpse into the New Bucs Offense.
July 9th, 2026 at 9:20 am
Lou … Fantastic perspective. Hadn’t thought of our restructuring that way, but it makes perfect sense.
July 9th, 2026 at 9:48 am
“The numbers for the passing game would be a lot higher though IF Zac favors the passing game much more than he does the running game.”
The short passing game, is an extension of the run game. Just look at Bucky & Rachaads’ YAC figures compared to their average depth of target. In the pass game in ’24 those two combine for about 1,000 YAC, and in 2025 that was almost halved to only 587 YAC yards. We went from White having 6 TDs as a receiver to having none, while Bucky caught 3 in comparison to his 0 in 2024.
So it’s very likely Robinson will get back to blurring that line with Gainwell at his disposal and how well KG is in space(same a Rachaad) but what’ll be key is the balance. Most football coaches realize an established offense is much better when they can run the ball effectively, offensive/defensive mind doesn’t matter you value it because it’s a faster way of imposing your will on an opposing defense and you can run anything you can put in a football playbook off the back of a serviceable run game.
Sometimes last season, we didn’t even or just completely stopped running the ball and Grizzard was green as a soccer pitch, couldn’t let that get out of hand. There were some 3-6 point deficits and we just come out pass-run-pass-punt and it was enough to gouge ones eyes out, because it was formulaic futility. Like watching somebody play tic tac toe but just fill the same boxes in the same sequence, game, after game, after game. I was happy when we started running the ball more down the stretch, and I’ll be happy if Robinson can get good use out of all 3 RBs.
Might take telling 1 of those 3 guys in a given matchup, hey this doesn’t look like the best front to throw you at, so we’re going to call on you but we might lean on Tucker a little more in the run game or KG is getting all the quick looks out of the backfield.
No matter the call, we need to go back to chasing chunk plays and risking hitting home runs from the backfield like we did in 2024. That’s fastest way to give Robinsons offense an actual identity.
July 9th, 2026 at 9:51 am
Mayfield’s best year (win wise) was his 2nd year with the Browns-
The 2 stats that stand out to me that year are Mayfield only threw 8 interceptions and only took 26 sacks.
If Mayfield can have that kind of quality management this year – Bucs will have a great season.
July 9th, 2026 at 10:33 am
I like McMillan a lot. But never forget about Tez Johnson, a true #1. He will be the most exciting receiver we have this year, even if he finishes fourth in most receptions.
July 9th, 2026 at 10:38 am
There’s a reason you draft WRs like Emeka, J Mac and Tez. It’s because Evans and Godwin weren’t gonna last forever. Holding onto Evans for another injury riddled season would have just delayed the inevitable.
WR room is in good shape.
RB room is in good shape.
The oline is rock solid with their starting 5.
The DL and edge rusher room as talented and deep as ever.
The LBer room has been upgraded.
Still could use a vet outside CB.
The ST will be majorly upgraded with the new ST coach and better players.
Like most seasons, it all will come down to health and how the starting QB performs.
July 9th, 2026 at 10:41 am
QB play in Dirtlanta last year was subpar and they had Robinson at RB. I would expect a slightly higher pass/run ratio here than there. Maybe 55-45?
July 9th, 2026 at 11:20 am
My thinking as well Jack, Zac played with the handy was dealt in Atlanta. He’s got a lot better hand here
July 9th, 2026 at 11:45 am
ME13 is good for about 4 or 5 good games a year. He misses games and when he comes back he is still not 100%. He also seems to drop easy passes. I just think he is no longer the same player due to constant hammy issues . Bucs won’t miss him if EE, Tez, and Jalen can step up.
July 9th, 2026 at 12:09 pm
AlanBucsFan … ‘Mayfield’s best year (win wise) was his 2nd year with the Browns’.
I like his 3rd year better (2020) when the Browns were 11-5 & mader the playoffs. Browns had 1022 offensive plays that year, and ran on 495 of them … 48.4% rushing. And their rushing attack was VERY effective (4.8 YPC average, compiling 2374 rushing yards & 21 rushing TDs).
Hmmm, THAT’S the exact same percentage rushing that Zac called with the Falcons last year. His problem last year was that Penix sucks, and once they figured that out & let Cousins be their QB they did better (he went 5-3 mostly finishing out the season while Penix went 3-6). No doubt in my mind that we’ll see a lot of Tua this year (providing he stays healthy).
Baker seems to do a LOT better when he has a strong running game to support him (actually I suspect most QBs do).
July 9th, 2026 at 12:27 pm
McMillan is going to be a Bigger peice to the puzzle than most realize. That’s “Obvious” in that half the commenter’s are desperately trying to force Tez into the conversation about McMILLIAN.. No. We won’t forget about Tez but let’s go with the the subject of our hidden gold mine in McMillan.
I’m afraid the realization of what MCMILLAN BRINGS to the game vs what little Tez does just doesn’t equal up.
Tez Johnson DIDN’T save the 2024 season with “7 touch downs in the last five games of the 2024 to ensure the best record the “naked emperor”, EVER HAD…. legitimately anyways. (Thank you Liam Coen, Baker Mayfield, and McMillan for giving us “one” season to actually feel good about.) And a shout out to Todd Bowles for “actually acting in the team’s interest” and choosing a REAL savant in Liam Coen that year vs the strawman “save Todd’s job” Grizzard pick. The very next year! Talk about night and day…. But there was No Way Bowles would pick a new guy that actually Could challenge for Bowles job after the CLARITY we got from having Liam Coen around…
If you put the pieces together you “might” figure out that I’m saying Bowles set the 2025 season up to FAIL! On PURPOSE!
Please excuse the red in my eyes… Back to the “article”… This is the year that McMillan plants his flag. We got him for a ridiculous steal in the forth round just like we got Godwin for peanuts in the 3rd.
I have no doubt that Tez will contribute BUT the two AREN’T in the same hemisphere. McMillian IS our “go to guy” and Would Have proven that last year. Except the genius goober ….. I mean the not bright and Especially dull head coach found NEW WAYS to “ensure failure” in 2025 by having the child, “buzzard” get McMillan dammmmn near killed by having the KNOWN FAILURE, “Tracy Chapman want a be”, throw rainbows and fruit loops to High End FOOTBALL PLAYERS! All the while Bozo and Buzzard LITERALLY, almost got McMillan paralyze FOR LIFE!
This year, “All being Equal”, is McMillians year to finally receive the notice that he deserves. He IS a special types of ball player and I’m Highly Hopeful that McMillan doesn’t end up as destroyed as Godwin. And if Ebuka can “also” finally put it together. And you know what, I’m going to throw Tez in there to, thankfully we won’t be as desperate as it could’ve been with the embarrassing loss of our All Pro Hall of Famer leaving for a true shot at another ring.
We actually DO have plenty enough fire power to Shine this year and I’m thankful that the leadership forced bozo to chose an experienced OC over pot luck…
July 9th, 2026 at 2:25 pm
DR- Mayfield’s 3rd year, that’s what I meant…Senior moment
If Oline and RB’s stay healthy, Bucs will have a very good running game.
Then it will be up to Mayfield to make good and quick decisions.
Brady’s specialty was getting rid of the ball quickly and not taking sacks.
July 9th, 2026 at 2:28 pm
No thanks.
July 9th, 2026 at 2:29 pm
I would buy Tykee,
July 9th, 2026 at 2:37 pm
people are sleeping on jmac…
if that neck bone is good to go, you might have your #1 right there
July 9th, 2026 at 3:00 pm
“That’s “Obvious” in that half the commenter’s are desperately trying to force Tez into the conversation about McMILLIAN.. No.”
If Ted Hurst stays healthy and does as well as expected, Tez might be fighting to dress on Sundays from the outset. Outside of splitting out as a WR, he doesn’t have much value as a blocker, returning or covering kicks.
New ST coordinator so we’ll se how that unfolds, but the return job probably stays with Kam Johnson who is also going to have to fight for a roster spot the rest of the summer.
July 9th, 2026 at 3:34 pm
If McMillan can take that next proverbial step from his rookie year — let’s be real, last year was a wash for him — then the thought of a top-shelf McMillan alongside Godwin and Egbuka has Joe salivating.
——–
McMillan looked fantastic at the end of last year – the issue was Baker Mayfield was terrible, so outside of some garbage time stats at the end of the Dolphins game, people really didn’t pay much attention to McMillan. But I’m telling you, watching tape, he absolutely looked like he leveled up from his rookie year – he looked quicker than just about anyone on the field and really fluid coming in his routes – if anything, he reminded me a lot of JSN. Now, as I’ve stated before, it’s possible that it was down to him being fresh, going against guys who had been out there all year, so we’ll have to see if he still stands out this offseason – but I’d expect we’re going to hear about how awesome of a camp he’s having, and hopefully he has a breakout year.
July 9th, 2026 at 3:36 pm
Espn late to the party.
Some of us been predicting J-Mac to make a lot of noise for awhile now.
July 9th, 2026 at 6:14 pm
The Bucs should want to run more this year, so Godwin’s and McMillan’s run blocking ability should have them on the field a lot to force the opposing defense to honor both the run and pass as legitimate options.
And, if teams are playing zone to keep a better eye on the run, Egbuka may be the third guy on the field in most of those run and pass looks.
But, later in drives and later in halves, swapping in Hurst and/or Tez in for Egbuka may be a great way to change the pace and rip off some big plays.
July 9th, 2026 at 8:46 pm
If by “big plays” you mean gaining 12 yards on a 3rd and 20, then, yeah.
July 10th, 2026 at 6:58 am
Man, so many opinions on what people think the Bucs offense is going to be. I think I’ll just watch the games and find out.
July 10th, 2026 at 11:37 am
Been our best reciever for two years.
July 11th, 2026 at 10:32 pm
Yes Joe agreed and we have a TE that if used properly has shown he can stretch the field if he holds on to the ball and a new RB and just need Bucky to get back to his rookie form. There’s only one football to go around. Eventually ME13 was going to retire so why not start the life without him now just saying. Sad to see him go but there’s a lot of talent behind him.