The Tampa Bay Buccaneers have a massive void to fill following Mike Evans’ departure, and several young receivers will have the opportunity to claim a larger role in Zac Robinson’s offense.
One NFL analyst believes Jalen McMillan is in the best position to capitalize.
ESPN’s Ben Solak recently identified McMillan as one of the NFL’s top breakout candidates, pointing to both his untapped potential and the expanded opportunity awaiting him in 2026. If Solak is right, the Buccaneers may already have their next impact receiver on the roster.
Ben Solak Sees the Pieces Coming Together
Solak believes McMillan’s first two NFL seasons have been defined more by injuries than production.
“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,” Solak wrote for ESPN. “But Egbuka was splitting No. 3 receiver snaps last season with McMillan, who is an impressive receiver in his own right.”
Solak continued by explaining why he believes McMillan is poised for a much bigger role.
“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.”
He also praised McMillan’s physical traits, noting his catch radius and ability to make difficult receptions while adding value as a run blocker.
Opportunity Is Finally Knocking
Health has been the biggest obstacle standing between McMillan and a breakout.
When he’s been available, the flashes have been easy to see.
Now, with Evans no longer in Tampa Bay, McMillan is expected to open the season alongside Chris Godwin and Emeka Egbuka as one of the Buccaneers’ top three receivers.
That opportunity simply didn’t exist over his first two seasons.
If McMillan stays healthy, he’ll finally receive the consistent snaps needed to prove he can become a long-term starter.
McMillan Has Already Shown He Can Beat Man Coverage
One area where McMillan has quietly separated himself is against man coverage.
Since entering the NFL in 2024, he has caught 64 percent of his targets against man coverage for 262 yards and three touchdowns while averaging 10.5 yards per target.
Those numbers suggest McMillan can consistently create separation and produce explosive plays against some of the league’s toughest defensive looks.
That’s an important trait for an outside receiver and one the Buccaneers will need replacing the production left behind by Evans.
If McMillan can continue winning in those situations while remaining healthy, his role in Robinson’s offense should only continue to grow.
This Is the Season McMillan Must Deliver
There are no more excuses entering 2026.
The opportunity is there.
The offensive system appears well suited to his strengths.
Most importantly, the Buccaneers need someone to emerge as a consistent playmaker alongside Godwin and Egbuka.
Solak sees McMillan as a breakout candidate because the talent has always been there.
Now it’s up to McMillan to prove the injuries are behind him and show he can become the impact receiver the Buccaneers believed they drafted two years ago.
Reality Check
Jalen McMillan has everything you’d need to be a star in this league. The key here is, can McMillan stay healthy. If there’s a knock against him, it’s his frame. He isn’t exactly yoked or buff. Now I’m not saying he’s puny or anything like that. He’s definitely got that dog in him. But the reality is, two years in the league and both were cut short by injury. That’s a fact that has to be considered.
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