This buccaneer weapon is turning heads in minicamp

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers have one of the best receiving duos in the NFL in Mike Evans and Chris Godwin, but it's a rookie making the most noise at mandatory minicamp.

Third-round pick Jalen McMillan has looked very impressive in practice for the Buccaneers, and quarterback Baker Mayfield likes what he sees.

“He's really friendly at the top of his routes, attacking the ball, catching with his hands,” Mayfield said via Jenna Laine of ESPN. “Simply explosive, a smooth route runner. So later, ask him to put everything in place in the offensive. … I think the next step for him is really getting a handle on the offense so he can use his physical talent.

Mayfield targeted McMillan three times, and the freshman ended up catching all three.

The University of Washington product caught 45 passes for 559 yards and five touchdowns as the third option behind Rome Odunze and Ja'Lynn Polk, who were both passed over in April's NFL draft last season.

McMillan's best collegiate campaign came in 2022, when he had 79 receptions for 1,098 yards and nine scores.

The 22-year-old has decent size at 6-foot-1 and solid speed, so he has a good physical profile for an NFL wide receiver.

However, he will be behind Evans, Godwin and Trey Palmer on the depth chart to start the 2024 season, so it might be difficult for him to get playing time early.

The Buccaneers could be a sleeper team in 2024

The Buccaneers went 9-8 last season, so on the surface they don't look too formidable. But they won the NFC South division crown, then routed the Philadelphia Eagles in the Wild Card round of the playoffs. They even gave the Detroit Lions a great fight in the divisional round.

With a resurgent Mayfield under center and impressive weapons, Tampa Bay could once again be a tough team in the NFC.

The Bucs also have an improving defense, notably thanks to young passers like Calijah Kancey and Yaya Diaby. They also re-signed all of their best players this offseason, including Mayfield and Evans. This must be good for team morale, but also for continuity.

Plus, the Buccaneers play in arguably the worst division in football, so it won't take more than nine or 10 wins to secure a playoff spot again.

We'll see if McMillan can contribute this fall.