BYU wide receiver Dax Milne selected by Washington Football Team in 7th round of NFL draft

Brigham Young Cougars wide receiver Dax Milne (5) hauls in a long pass over North Alabama Lions cornerback Will Singleton (4) during a game in Provo on Saturday, Nov. 21, 2020. Milne became the next BYU wide receiver to be taken in the NFL draft. | Steve Griffin, Deseret News

Just like his quarterback, Dax Milne’s NFL draft stock received a major boost from a breakout 2020 season.

The BYU wide receiver is joining quarterback Zach Wilson as a draft pick as well, as Milne was taken by the Washington Football Team in the seventh round of the 2021 NFL draft on Saturday.

The selection, the second-to-last of the event, was given an A-minus grade by CBS Sports’ Chris Trapasso.

“Zach Wilson’s favorite target gets selected,” Trapasso wrote. “The Hunter Renfrow of this class. Smaller, but gets open and catches everything. Actually has some downfield juice. Overachiever.”

Wilson parlayed his success into becoming the No. 2 overall pick in the 2021 draft, going to the New York Jets. The 6-foot-1, 190-pound Milne was his favorite target during the Cougars’ 11-1 2020 campaign, as the former Bingham High product finished the year with 70 receptions for 1,188 yards and eight touchdowns.

Milne was named a finalist for the Burlsworth Trophy, given annually to the nation’s top player whose career began as a walk-on, and ultimately decided to declare for the draft as a junior. Milne said last season as it became clearer he would have an opportunity to go to the NFL, he started focusing on the finer points of his game.

“You get preached at growing up and throughout your career that details matter, and it really does,” Milne told Bucky Brooks for the “Move the Sticks” podcast. “I think going into each practice, each game (it’s about) figuring out little things to do to separate yourself physically. For me at receiver, it’s getting separation, great footwork, just little things like that, (that can) allow me to carry that over and have success in the NFL.”

ESPN’s John Keim noted Milne faces an uphill battle to make the opening-day roster, but there will be opportunities.

“He’s considered a strong route runner and has decent size at 6-foot-1, 193 pounds,” Keim wrote. “His special teams play will dictate whether he makes the roster. Washington has enough depth at receiver that it will be tough but not impossible to win a job.”

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