Scouting Report: Jalen McMillan (WR) - Washington
Sales Pitch: "Vertical slot WR with fluid movement skills and dependable hands. Strength and size concerns limit his ceiling and ability to operate on the outside versus #1 CBs, but is a smart route runner with tons of experience and collegiate production who should be a high floor player in the NFL."
Athletic Profile
Height: 6’ 1”
Weight: 197 lbs
Arm Length: 32 1/8”
Hand Size: 10”
40 Yard Dash: 4.47
10 Yard Split: 1.62
Vertical: 37”
Broad Jump: 10’ 7”
Short Shuttle: 4.18
3-Cone: 6.94
Age: 22
Relative Athletic Score: 8.66 / 10.00
Statistics
Career: 164 REC - 2,143 YDS - 13.1 YPR - 17 TD
2023: 45 REC - 559 YDS - 12.4 YPR - 5 TD
Strengths
Fluid athlete with silky movement skills
Intelligent route runner with an excellent feel for space
Tough player willing to play over the middle and fight through injury
Solid long speed to push down the field vertically
Varied and nuanced release package
Manipulates defenders blind spots with head fakes and jab steps
Capable of running a full route tree at all three levels
Creates quick separation when given a clean release and two way go
Former baseball player with excellent ball tracking
Dependable and sticky hands
Quickly gets upfield after the catch
Adept at attacking voids in zone coverage
Good blocking technique and effort
Weaknesses
Slender frame with below average strength
Durability given injury history is a concern
Lacks burst to separate on one cut routes
Struggles to play through contact as a route runner
Limited reps beating press coverage in college
Will not be able to beat #1 CBs in the NFL due to athletic limitations
20% career contested catch rate
Fails to win through contact at the catch point
Does not create with the ball in his hand
Size limits his ability to make an impact in run game
Best season came with over 85% of his snap being in the slot
Summary
Jalen McMillan is a fluid route runner who wins with savvy and intelligence. The former 4-Star recruit from Fresno, California was a multi-sport star in high school, lettering in baseball and track & field in addition to football. McMillan has been a staple to the Washington Huskies offense over the past three seasons with 55+ targets in all three campaigns and First Team All-Pac 12 honors in 2022. McMillan is at his best when allowed to work free in space. He has an excellent understanding of coverages and how concepts should attack them. He is a fluid mover with deceptive speed to stretch defenses vertically. McMillan has an advanced and varied release package that allows him to attack defenders blind spots and manipulate their positing. His most effective routes off the vertical route tree where he can use head fakes and jab steps to create separation. McMillan’s baseball background shows up on throws down the field where his ball tracking skills and body control are very strong. He has dependable hands showing good concentration skills and dexterity to secure passes. McMillan spent a majority of his time in the slot in college. He was not asked to beat press coverage on the outside very often. He lacks the size or strength to play through contact as a route runner against both zone and man. McMillan struggles to win at the catch point through contact as well. His leaner frame and lack of aggression results in poor contested catch production (20% conversion rate in his career). He also lacks the burst and top end speed to separate versus NFL caliber CBs on the outside. While he can run a full route tree, his separation skills on one cut routes are far less effective due to his lack of explosion. McMillan also does not generate yards after the catch at a high clip. While he quickly transitions to ball carrier after the catch his lack of strength or quickness limits his impact with the ball in his hands. McMillan projects as a vertical slot WR who is at his best against zone coverage. The lean frame and limited physical upside will hurt his projected ceiling but he is a smart, tough receiver, who should have a high floor and be NFL ready from Day 1.