Much of the attention surrounding the Tampa Bay Buccaneers’ receiving corps has centered on Emeka Egbuka following Mike Evans’ departure in free agency. While Egbuka is expected to become a focal point of the offense, expecting him to absorb all of Evans’ production isn’t realistic.
That’s why Jalen McMillan could emerge as one of the biggest fantasy football steals in 2026. There are simply too many available targets for one receiver to claim them all, and McMillan appears to be in the best position to capitalize.
Fantasy Experts Believe McMillan Is Undervalued
Bleacher Report’s Kristopher Knox recently identified McMillan as a fantasy football sleeper because of his low average draft position.
“Evans was a perennial 1,000-yard receiver before last season, and while McMillan may not reach that mark, he should have a strong campaign as a perimeter starter opposite Egbuka,” Knox wrote. “With an ADP of 185, he’s significantly undervalued.”
It’s difficult to argue with that assessment. McMillan has the opportunity, the talent, and now a clear path to meaningful playing time.
Egbuka Can’t Replace Mike Evans Alone
Replacing Mike Evans isn’t a one-player job.
Egbuka already carried a massive workload last season, finishing with 127 targets. Asking him to absorb another 40 or 50 targets while maintaining his efficiency isn’t a realistic expectation, especially entering only his second NFL season.
Instead, the Buccaneers will likely spread those opportunities across several receivers. That puts McMillan in an excellent position to become a much bigger part of Tampa Bay’s passing attack.
This Is a Huge Season for McMillan
McMillan has already shown he can produce when given opportunities.
As a rookie, he caught 37 passes for 461 yards and eight touchdowns while flashing the playmaking ability that made him an intriguing draft pick. Injuries derailed his second season, limiting him to just 12 receptions for 178 yards.
Now healthy and entering his third year, McMillan has every opportunity to reestablish himself as one of the Buccaneers’ top offensive weapons.
The Opportunity Is There, But So Is the Competition
While McMillan should receive the first opportunity to earn those additional targets, nothing will be handed to him.
Chris Godwin remains one of the NFL’s most reliable receivers and enters the season healthier than he has been in recent years. The Buccaneers also selected Ted Hurst in the third round of the 2026 NFL Draft, adding another young receiver the coaching staff believes can contribute.
Todd Bowles has already spoken positively about Hurst’s development, making it clear Tampa Bay has options if someone fails to produce.
McMillan Has a Chance to Cash In
The Buccaneers need someone to help replace the production left behind by Evans. McMillan has as good a chance as anyone to become that player if he stays healthy and performs consistently.
From a fantasy football perspective, that’s exactly why he’s such an intriguing value. His draft cost remains relatively low, but his opportunity could be significantly larger than many managers expect.
Summary
Jalen McMillan enters the 2026 season with a tremendous opportunity in front of him. While Emeka Egbuka will shoulder much of the responsibility following Mike Evans’ departure, Tampa Bay needs multiple receivers to step up. If McMillan returns to the form he displayed as a rookie, he could become one of the biggest breakout players for the Buccaneers and one of fantasy football’s best values.
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