Jalen McMillan

Baker Mayfield described rookie WR Jalen McMillan as an “explosive, smooth route runner.”

Mike Evans and Trey Palmer have been sidelined, giving McMillan more reps with the first-team during the offseason program. McMillan caught all three targets from Mayfield on Wednesday, including Mayfield’s first pass of the day and a touchdown during red zone drills. The quarterback complimented McMillan for being “friendly at the top of his routes, attack[ing] the ball [and] catch[ing] with his hands.” The front office spent a third-round pick on McMillan after a sub-500-yard rookie season from Palmer, a 2023 sixth-round pick. Recurring MCL sprains hampered McMillan’s 2023 college season, but he notably led the Huskies in 2022 targets (118) and receptions (79) as the team’s starting slot receiver, edging out 2024 first-round WR Rome Odunze, who caught 75 of his 110 targets. McMillan has a chance to unseat Palmer for the No. 3 role.