QB Baker Mayfield says Buccaneers rookie WR is 'a stud'

The Washington Huskies produced three talented wide receivers in the 2024 NFL Draft.

Rome Odunze led the bunch as the No. 9 overall pick to the Chicago Bears as Ja'Lynn Polk (No. 37 overall to the New England Patriots) and Jalen McMillan (No. 92 overall to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers) followed.

The Buccaneers selected the last of the trio, but quarterback Baker Mayfield believes McMillan is just as "legit" as his former teammates.

"You're watching Polk, you're watching Odunze," Mayfield said , via Grant Gordon of NFL.com. "What people don't realize, he was their leading guy in '22 before he got hurt. And so, for him to get back to true form -- he's a stud."

McMillan suffered a knee injury during his final year at Washington, which resulted in him registering just 45 catches for 559 yards and five touchdowns. That is likely why he fell to the third round.

However, his 2022 campaign was the reason why Tampa Bay couldn't pass on him at pick No. 92. The 22-year-old recorded 79 catches for 1,098 yards and nine touchdowns.

What McMillan's role will be for the Buccaneers is up for debate, especially with veteran wide receivers Mike Evans and Chris Godwin leading the room, but the rookie could be impactful as a natural slot receiver who always finds a way to get open.

"He's a guy that runs so smooth," Mayfield added. "He does some things at the top of his routes -- he's so friendly to the ball -- that veterans do."

McMillan has a real shot to be Tampa Bay's No. 3 wide receiver, but he will have to continuing battling Trey Palmer, Rakim Jarrett and Sterling Shepard for the job in training camp.

Mayfield is happy to see McMillan soaking up as much knowledge as he can along the way.

"It's good to see as a young guy coming in and eager to learn," Mayfield concluded. "He's obviously got a pretty good group to learn from with those guys that we have."