Browns 2024 Combine Prep: Jalen McMillan and Ja’Lynn Polk, Husky Wide Receivers
In the West Coast region Huskies of Washington The Cleveland Browns could select Jalen McMillan and Ja’Lynn Polk in the draft.
This past season, the Washington Huskies boasted the best passing attack in the United States. With quarterback Michael Penix Jr. at center, the trio of Rome Odunze, Ja’Lynn Polk, and Jalen McMillan was difficult to stop. Not only is it uncommon for an entire team’s skill group to be selected in the NFL Draft, but it’s also uncommon for a skill group to be selected in the first 60 choices.
With this pack of Huskies, it might be the case.
Odunze and Penix might be first-round selections, but Polk and McMillan might also end up being good choices for Cleveland at number 54.
Polk was amazing in 2023. In addition to his 1,159 receiving yards, he concluded the season with nine touchdown catches. He recorded seven games of 100 yards or more; his best came against Stanford, when he caught five passes for 148 yards and two touchdowns.
He may have the strongest hands of any wide receiver in the draft class. Draft guru Field Yates referred to his hands as “vice grips” and stated, “It’s not only about unbelievable receptions. I am referring to a man who just keeps grabbing hold of the football.
Polk demonstrated his ability to stretch the field vertically at 6’2″ while also showing no fear of cutting over the center. He makes up for his lack of quickness with his incredible straight-line speed and knack at snatching the football. Polk is a player who might join the Browns’ offense and have an instant impact.
When McMillan was healthy, he tested positive for the explosive gene, which was also present in Polk and Odunze. At the next level, McMillan’s lightning-fast speed might change the game. He is 6’1”.
I adore McMillan’s game the most because he has a track record of success from the slot machine. While not every wide receiver has the ability to play well in the slot and on the outside, McMillan is the kind of player who can.
McMillan’s weakness is his history of injuries, particularly in 2023. Despite playing in just seven games for the Huskies, he continued to produce well. He had two games over the 100-yard mark and four games over six catches in those seven games.
His fit in Cleveland might align more with what the Browns are building on offense. He could be a guy to run along with Elijah Moore with the ability to be a number one with Amari Cooper.
That’s the story on Polk and McMillan hailing from the Upper Northwest and the Cleveland Browns may have a chance to pick either in the second round of this year’s NFL Draft.
