NFL Draft: Washington Receiver New York Jets 2 Target?

Depending on what they do in the first-round, the New York Jets could target now former Washington Huskies receiver Jalen McMillan with their third-round pick.

Jan 8, 2024; Houston, TX, USA; Washington Huskies wide receiver Jalen McMillan (11) runs with the / Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

There has been much discussion about what the New York Jets will do with their first-round pick in the upcoming NFL Draft. However, what about their third-round pick? 

Based on recent mock drafts, the Jets will either add another playmaker to go along with Garrett Wilson and Mike Williams or continue fortifying their offensive line by potentially taking an offensive tackle at No. 10 overall. 

However, even with many predicting the Jets will add a playmaker in the first round, Pro Football Focus has named former Washington Huskies receiver Jalen McMillan as a potential Day 2 ‘fit’ for New York. 

“Washington’s Jalen McMillan battled injuries in 2023 but was still productive when he did play and had more than 1,000 yards in 2022,” PFF writes. “He would give Aaron Rodgers another reliable route runner to work with.”

Jan 8, 2024; Houston, TX, USA; Washington Huskies wide receiver Jalen McMillan (11) against the / Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

It is important to note that thanks to last offseason’s blockbuster trade for quarterback Aaron Rodgers, New York doesn’t have a second-round pick. This means they will have to wait until pick No. 72 before they make their first and potentially only selection of Day 2. However, that could change with a trade. 

Yet, considering that, it seems PFF has that in mind when naming the former Husky a Day 2 fit for the Jets. According to the NFL Mock Draft database, McMillan is a projected third-round prospect whose current ranking is 88. 

At 6-foot-1 and 197 pounds, McMillan would give the Jets another weapon at receiver. With Wilson and Williams projected to be the two outside receivers, McMillan would play in the slot for the Jets.

While his numbers from his senior season may not blow you away, as he totaled just 559 yards and five touchdowns on 45 receptions while playing on the same team as quarterback Michael Penix and projected first-round receiver Rome Odunze, his numbers from the year before are more impressive. 

In 2022, McMillan finished second on the team in receiving, only behind Odunze, with 1,098 yards and nine touchdowns on 79 receptions while playing in 13 games. This may give teams optimism that injuries were why McMillan couldn’t replicate his 2022 numbers this past year.

While some may want to see the Jets double up on playmakers with their first two picks in the draft, the receiver class is said to be one of the most talented position groups, which, depending on how the board shakes out, could make it hard to pass up on taking one.