Who Should I Start? Rashod Bateman or Jalen McMillan

Tuesday, June 23, 10:23 AM

Tampa Bay Buccaneers wide receiver Jalen McMillan has an "opportunity to take on a larger role" in the team's offense in 2026 following Mike Evans' departure to the San Francisco 49ers in free agency this offseason, according to Bucs Report. McMillan was limited to just four games (two starts) in 2025 in his second year in the league after he fractured three vertebrae and suffered two herniated discs in his neck in a preseason game. In his four games played, the 24-year-old made a difference, catching 12 of his 15 targets for 178 yards, although he didn't find the end zone. McMillan caught 37 passes for 461 yards and eight touchdowns on 58 targets in 13 regular-season games as a rookie in 2024 after being taken in the third round out of the University of Washington. Seven of his TDs came in his final five games of the year. With Evans now out of the picture, the Bucs are looking for stability on the outside, and head coach Todd Bowles has praised McMillan's work ethic and resilience. Because of the nose for the end zone that he showed as a rookie, and with increased opportunity in Year 3, McMillan is worth a late-round dart throw in fantasy drafts in 2026.