Overshadowed By Huskies Teammate Rome Odunze, Ja'Lynn Polk And Jalen McMillan Can Both Be Outstanding NFL Weapons

A closer look at Washington wideouts Ja'Lynn Polk and Jalen McMillan, two game-breaking weapons who were overshadowed by Huskies teammate Rome Odunze

Credit:© Steven Bisig-USA TODAY Sports

Former All-Pro WR Michael Thomas and the New Orleans Saints had an unceremonious split this offseason. Thomas' departure doesn't leave the Saints bare at wide receiver by any stretch. New Orleans still has a talented trio of Chris Olave, Rashid Shaheed, and A.T. Perry. However, there are two problems at the position as the team heads towards the draft.

First, there is a glaring lack of depth behind Olave, Shaheed, and Perry. New Orleans signed former Dolphins and Cowboys WR Cedrick Wilson, an underrated addition. They also added former Packers and Bears WR Equanimeous St. Brown in free agency. Stanley Morgan Jr., a special teams standout, is the only other receiver under contract on the roster.

Secondly, no wideout on the team right now brings nearly the physicality that Thomas was able to add. New Orleans is expected to add at least one receiver through the draft at some point, probably fairly early.

A pair of wideouts from the national title runner-up, overshadowed by their more heralded teammate Rome Odunze, are also expected to garner heavy attention from teams in this draft.

Ja'Lynn Polk, WR - Washington; 6'1 & 203-Lbs.

Washington Huskies wide receiver Ja'Lynn Polk (2) runs after a catch against the Arizona Wildcats / Credit:© Zachary BonDurant-USA TODAY Sports

Ja'Lynn Polk originally attended Texas Tech after graduating from Lufkin High School in Texas. He'd play for the Red Raiders just one year, catching 28 passes for 264 yards and two touchdowns with seven starts in 2020. After the season, he'd transfer to Washington, where injuries limited him to only three games and five catches for 114 yards and a score in 2021.

Polk worked his way into a bigger role in 2022, where he caught 41 passes for 694 yards and six touchdowns. Last season, Polk had over 100 yards in six of Washington's first eight contests. He'd finish the year with 69 receptions for 1,159 yards and nine scores, second only to Rome Odunze in all three categories for the Huskies.

Part of a dynamic trio of Washington wideouts, Polk brings ideal measurables for the position across the board into the draft. He combines big play ability with impressive productivity in the intermediate areas of a defense.

Exceptional hands and the ability to extend for throws with terrific body control makes Polk an ultra reliable target with a large catch radius. He exhibits good physicality and can be dominant at the catch point, especially when you factor in his outstanding leaping ability.

Polk has terrific route precision, showing the ability to get separation in a full route tree by disguising his breaks with a variation of quickness, fakes, and double moves. Once the throw is in the air, he has impressive ball-tracking skills and an extra gear to pull away from coverage.

Washington Huskies wide receiver Ja'Lynn Polk (2) pulls in a reception against the Michigan Wolverines during the National Championship Game / Credit:© Junfu Han / USA TODAY NETWORK

Polk doesn't have top-end speed or an elite burst and must accelerate better going into his routes. Washington's system was predicated on a lot of quick throws or designed screens. Therefore, Polk must show that he's able to read coverages on a prolonged route, especially in zones.

The ability to be a more dangerous open field runner is probably Polk's biggest opportunity for improvement. He has the agility to make tacklers miss and the physicality to fight for extra yardage, but must be far more decisive after short receptions.

Ja'Lynn Polk is a definite Day 2 pick, most likely in the second round. His route precision, outstanding hands, versatility outside or from the slot, and reliability in the intermediate areas could make him a very productive number two receiver. With some further refining, Polk may easily develop into a featured wideout.

Polk's Washington teammate joined him and Odunze to help give the Huskies one of the top passing attacks in the NCAA last season.

Jalen McMillan, WR - Washington; 6'1 & 197-Lbs.

Washington Huskies wide receiver Jalen McMillan (11) picks up yards after the catch against the Texas Longhorns during the College Football Playoff semifinal / Credit:© Daniel Dunn-USA TODAY Sports

Despite dual scholarship offers as a football and baseball player from USC and Oklahoma, Washington landed four-star recruit Jalen McMillan out of San Joaquin Memorial High School in California. He'd see little action during the Covid-shortened year of 2020, catching one ball for 16 yards. McMillan led Washington with 470 receiving yards in 2021, catching 39 passes and scoring three touchdowns.

In 2022, McMillan's big-play capabilities put him on the national radar. He led the Huskies with 79 receptions and nine scores, both second in the Pac-12, while his 1,098 receiving yards were second only to Odunze on the team and third in the conference. Injuries sidelined McMillan for four contests last season, limiting his productivity to 45 catches, 559 yards, and five touchdowns.

A slot specialist, McMillan also has the ability to be productive from the outside. Extremely efficient from the slot, McMillan has sure hands and good focus in traffic. He sets up coverage well with fakes and double moves and shows a nice natural feel for open areas in zones.

McMillan is an outstanding route technician. He also gains separation with a long stride to pull away from defenders in open space, but also leaves them in the dust with his ability to cut on a dime. After the catch, McMillan has elite open field skills. His terrific vision and elusiveness make him a lethal weapon on WR screens or after short catches.

Washington Huskies wide receiver Jalen Mcmillan (11) makes a leaping touchdown reception against the Boise State Broncos / Credit:© Joe Nicholson-USA TODAY Sports

While not short, McMillan has a slight build. This issue has caused him to be manhandled by physical corners. It may also limit his effectiveness as an outside receiver against press coverage in the NFL. He also has trouble establishing position in high traffic areas because of his lack of physicality, limiting what he can do near the goal line or against tight zones.

McMillan doesn't have elite speed to make up for his frame. He's still able to get separation because of his quickness and route preceding, especially from the slot. However, he doesn't have that ''extra gear'' to pull away on deep throws or in space.

Jalen McMillan will likely be a Day 2 draft selection. He could go as early as the second round, but most projections have him getting picked in the third. McMillan may be a little limited as an outside receiver against physical man coverage. However, he has all the skills necessary to be a game-breaker out of the slot.

Rome Odunze, Ja'Lynn Polk, and Jalen McMillan made up the best receiving trio in college football last season. Odunze may be getting the majority of the attention heading into the draft, but both of his teammates with the Huskies should also be legitimate weapons for an NFL offense.