Welcome to SR’s Fab 5 – my weekly insider column on the Bucs that options 5 issues which can be on my thoughts. SR’s Fab 5 is now a faster learn, however nonetheless packs a punch. Take pleasure in!
I’m off subsequent week, so there gained’t be one other SR’s Fab 5 column till Friday, June 28. Within the meantime, get pleasure from my perception, evaluation and inside scoop from Bucs obligatory mini-camp.
FAB 1. Dimension Issues: Bucs Winners From Mini-Camp
Greater doesn’t all the time essentially imply higher, however it definitely helps in the case of the game of soccer, typically talking. There was a concerted effort in Tampa Bay for a number of gamers to get larger and stronger and plenty of did simply that this offseason within the Bucs power and conditioning program.
A number of rookies who wanted so as to add dimension previous to coaching camp did that even previous to rookie mini-camp. Tight finish Devin Culp, the workforce’s seventh-round decide, weighed in at 231 kilos on the NFL Scouting Mix, the place he blazed a 4.47 time within the 40-yard sprint. However he reported to the Bucs final month already weighing 245 kilos and plans to be close to 250 for coaching camp.
Undersized inside linebacker Kalen DeLoach, an undrafted free agent, weighed 210 on the Mix, however reported to Tampa Bay at 215 and plans to be at 220 by the point camp comes on the finish of July.
In the case of the Bucs’ veterans, there have been a number of offseason winners when it got here to including wanted dimension – or adjusting their dimension within the case of defensive sort out Vita Vea. Listed below are 5 Bucs whose laborious work this offseason actually stood out heading into coaching camp.
DT Vita Vea
Bucs DTs Calijah Kancey and Vita Vea – Picture by: Cliff Welch/PR
On a latest Pewter Report Podcast, Bucs common supervisor Jason Licht broke the information concerning the story behind Vea understanding with Ndamukong Suh this offseason and reporting to obligatory mini-camp in unbelievable form. When requested how a lot he presently weighs, Vea mentioned 347 kilos, which has been his listed weight since his rookie season in 2018.
Now at age 29, Vea has shed about 20 kilos in an effort to be extra fast and agile and presumably stop among the smooth tissue and foot accidents he’s had from carrying extra weight in years previous. Vea has sometimes performed within the 360s, however desires to increase not solely his profession, but additionally the prime of his profession. It’s a sensible transfer that ought to enable Vea to develop into extra of a dominant participant in 2024.
DT Calijah Kancey
At 6-foot, Kancey doesn’t have the body to achieve way more weight. He performs between 280-286 kilos, however final yr’s first-round decide has added muscle, particularly to his decrease physique, which is able to assist him anchor higher in opposition to double groups within the operating sport. The Pitt product bought pushed round at instances on the line of scrimmage throughout his rookie yr.
Kancey continues to be under 290 kilos, however has transformed some fats to muscle. That ought to solely make him even faster as he heads into his second season in Todd Bowles’ protection because the chief disruptor up entrance. Enjoying subsequent to Vea, Kancey has the possibility at turning into a double-digit sacker this season after recording 5.5 sacks final yr, together with a sack and a half within the postseason.
DT Logan Corridor
Bucs DT Logan Corridor – Picture by: Cliff Welch/PR
Corridor is the forgotten man on protection in Tampa Bay. The previous prime decide of the 2022 draft has gotten misplaced within the shuffle a bit as he’s tried to remodel his physique from a 260-pound defensive sort out at Houston to at least one nearer to 300 kilos on the NFL degree. Corridor performed within the 270s in his first yr with the Bucs after which bought larger final yr, taking part in round 285 kilos.
It’s been an adjustment studying find out how to transfer with extra weight on, however Corridor seems to be larger and stronger and is a lean 295 kilos proper now. Veteran Will Gholston has taken him beneath his wing and believes Corridor is in for a breakout season, particularly as a go rusher. However Corridor’s sacks will seemingly have to return on first and second downs as Vea and Kancey will sometimes be on the sphere in nickel protection.
RG Cody Mauch
Mauch had an up-and-down rookie season, however began all 19 video games at proper guard and didn’t miss a single snap. That was fairly a feat by itself. The workforce’s second-round decide hit a little bit of a rookie wall at midseason, however completed the yr sturdy and developed some nice chemistry with proper sort out Luke Goedeke.
Mauch has added 10-15 kilos this offseason and is nearer to 320 kilos. He’s reworked his physique from that of an FCS left sort out to an NFL guard. Mauch’s higher physique and decrease physique have seen a rise in dimension and that ought to assist him anchor higher in go safety and get extra push on the line of scrimmage within the run sport this season.
OLB Markees Watts
Bucs OLB Markees Watts – Picture by: Cliff Welch/PR
Watts is essentially the most “flexible” of the workforce’s edge rushers. Constructed decrease to the bottom at 6-foot-1 like former Bucs go rusher Shaq Barrett, Watts’ quickness off the snap helps him get nice leverage on offensive tackles. There are occasions when Watts rushes the passer and flashes like Barrett in his prime as a result of he wears his previous No. 58 jersey. Weighing simply over 240 kilos as an undrafted free agent final yr, Watts wanted so as to add some dimension to have the ability to play the run higher and assist set the sting.
No stranger to the load room, Watts added extra dimension to his chiseled physique and is now simply over 250 kilos, which was the load Barrett performed at throughout his time in Tampa Bay. Watts has the flexibility to be anyplace on the depth chart from OLB5 to OLB2 behind Yaya Diaby. It simply is determined by how efficient Watts is at not solely attending to the quarterback but additionally stuffing the run the way in which Barrett did.
FAB 2. On The Sizzling Seat: Bucs Losers From Mini-Camp
NFL offseasons comprise of OTAs (organized workforce actions) and the obligatory mini-camp, which is simply three extra OTA practices – however attendance is obligatory. Oftentimes known as “flag soccer” or “underwear soccer” due to non-contact guidelines, it’s laborious to actually gauge soccer gamers with out soccer pads on.
Having mentioned that, there are 5 Bucs who seem like on the recent seat heading into coaching camp for varied causes.
OLB Randy Gregory
Bucs OLB Randy Gregory – Picture by: USA Immediately
Gregory was a no-show throughout your complete offseason program, skipping the voluntary OTAs and even lacking the three-day obligatory mini-camp. The veteran newcomer’s absence was unexcused and he’s topic to being fined $100,000 by the workforce in consequence. Not an excellent search for a participant with a checkered previous coming to a brand new workforce.
Todd Bowles’ protection is sort of refined, so if Gregory continues to be on the workforce by the point coaching camp rolls round, he’ll be far behind the others by way of figuring out the protection – regardless of being a 32-year previous veteran. The Bucs have fairly a little bit of expertise at exterior linebacker, particularly with the latest addition of second-round decide Chris Braswell. Gregory will not be a lock to make the 53-man roster – particularly after skipping your complete offseason.
RB Sean Tucker
There was a whole lot of buzz surrounding Tucker final yr when he signed with the Bucs as an undrafted free agent. He missed the offseason as he recovered from a coronary heart ailment, however did sufficient in coaching camp and the preseason to really win the No. 2 operating again job behind Rachaad White. However in restricted taking part in time initially of the season, Tucker was too hesitant of a runner and struggled in go safety.
Because of this, he was handed on the depth chart by veteran Chase Edmonds. Coming into his second yr in Tampa Bay, Tucker is now buried on the depth chart behind White, rookie Bucky Irving, the workforce’s fourth-round decide, and Edmonds once more. He’ll want a Herculean-type coaching camp to climb the depth chart once more, however the actuality is that he’s in peril of sliding all the way down to the follow squad in 2024.
TE Ko Kieft
Bucs TE Ko Kieft – Picture by: Cliff Welch/PR
Kieft is recovering from an undisclosed harm and missed your complete offseason in consequence. Whereas it was crucial for him to rehab his harm, the timing wasn’t nice as Kieft not solely has a brand new offensive coordinator in Liam Coen to impress, but additionally a brand new place coach in Justin Peelle. Kieft is a one-dimensional participant who’s a greater blocker than he’s receiver however hasn’t had an opportunity to enhance in that space this offseason.
With Coen’s new offense that includes extra three-receiver units and much fewer double-tight finish units, the Bucs might maintain six receivers this yr and simply three tight ends reasonably than 4. Cade Otton will begin as soon as once more, and Payne Durham has made some huge strides this offseason. Meaning Kieft will probably be preventing for a roster spot with seventh-round decide Devin Culp, who’s the quickest tight finish, and follow squader Tanner Taula, who has flashed this offseason as a receiver.
C Robert Hainsey
Hainsey is in a little bit of a predicament. He’s vying for the beginning middle job with Graham Barton, the workforce’s first-round decide. Barton is an even bigger, stronger middle and one who has elite athleticism, too. Throw in the truth that Barton is tremendous good having come from Duke and it’s all however assured that the rookie will win the job within the preseason barring harm.
The issue for Hainsey is that the battle at left guard is between newcomers Sua Opeta and Ben Bredeson, who’ve been rotating in and sharing starter snaps this offseason. Hainsey will not be within the combine for that spot and has not taken any snaps at left guard to my information. So it’s an all-or-nothing battle at middle for the two-year starter. If Hainsey loses out to Barton, he’s seemingly going to be relegated to a backup function at middle this season.
WR Sterling Shepard
Bucs WR Sterling Shepard – Picture by: Cliff Welch/PR
Whereas Shepard is the one actual veteran receiver exterior of Mike Evans and Chris Godwin, he’s not a lock to make the 53-man roster regardless of the thrill his signing induced final week. At 5-foot-10, 190 kilos, Shepard is neither huge nor quick. And at age 31, accidents have robbed him of a few of his pace and quickness. Shepard is also behind by way of studying Liam Coen’s playbook, however does benefit from the following six weeks to attempt to catch up.
Shepard is a savvy, artful veteran and an excellent insurance coverage coverage in camp and the preseason in case there are accidents to any of the highest 4 receivers on the depth chart. The issue for Shepard is that rookie Jalen McMillan and Trey Palmer have had glorious offseasons and are vying for the WR3 function. That solely leaves one or two spots left on the depth chart, relying on if Tampa Bay retains 5 or 6 receivers. Rakim Jarrett and Kameron Johnson have additionally impressed, that means it is going to be laborious for Shepard to make the workforce.
FAB 3. Bucs Sleepers Heading Into Coaching Camp
OLB Jose Ramirez
Bucs OLB Jose Ramirez – Picture by: Cliff Welch/PR
Whereas Markees Watts continues to get rave critiques this offseason, the thrill is simply as sturdy for Ramirez, who deserves honorable point out as a mini-camp winner. Ramirez has actually reworked his physique this offseason, shedding some extra weight and actually firming up and getting stronger. That ought to assist in opposition to larger offensive tackles, however even final yr Tristan Wirfs and Luke Goedeke have been saying that Ramirez gave them suits in follow together with his stealthy go rush strikes.
Additionally undersized at 6-foot-2, 252 kilos, Ramirez faces the identical problem as Watts does. He’ll must flash as a go rusher on third down, but additionally be stout sufficient to set the sting and stuff the run on early downs. Ramirez pulled a hamstring and missed the final two preseason video games final yr. That allowed Watts to assert a spot on the 53-man roster whereas Ramirez wound up on the follow squad. Ramirez is in higher place to problem for a roster spot this yr with a greater physique.
TE Payne Durham
Durham has labored on his physique this offseason and gotten just a little leaner, but additionally placing on some muscle that may assist him within the run sport on the line of scrimmage as a blocker. At 6-foot-6, 255 kilos, Durham has nice dimension to be a crimson zone risk, and has a significantly better understanding of what it takes to achieve the NFL after an up-and-down rookie season.
Durham got here to the Bucs final yr as a notoriously sluggish rookie, operating a 4.87 within the 40-yard sprint. That induced him to slip to the fifth spherical. However Durham has develop into a tick quicker and gained some quickness as a result of offseason program and may separate from protection even higher this yr. Durham is in prime place to win the TE2 function heading into coaching camp in consequence.
CB Tyrek Funderburk
Bucs CB Tyrek Funderburk – Picture by: Cliff Welch/PR
Funderburk was one of many rookies that Bucs head coach Todd Bowles mentioned he was anxious to see in coaching camp as soon as the pads come on. He had an interception through the obligatory mini-camp and virtually got here away with one other one. The 6-foot, 186-pound Funderburk has flashed at cornerback and can problem Keenan Isaac for a spot on the depth chart.
The Bucs are set with their prime 4 cornerbacks in Jamel Dean, Zyon McCollum, Bryce Corridor and Josh Hayes, who was the most effective gunners within the NFL final yr. Funderburk might want to splash on particular groups and show his value there to win the CB5 function, and Isaac does have a yr’s value of expertise on him. However Funderburk has impressed in each the slot and out of doors, and heads to coaching camp with some momentum.
S Marcus Banks
The Bucs lack depth at security behind starters Antoine Winfield Jr. and Jordan Whitehead. Gone are Ryan Neal and Dee Delaney, and solely Kaevon Merriweather stays as a holdover depth piece at security. Tampa Bay drafted Tykee Smith within the third spherical and he has the flexibility to play nickel cornerback and security, and final yr’s nickelback, Christian Izien can also be cross-training at security this offseason.
However Banks, an undrafted free agent, is a sleeper who has flashed within the offseason and has the possibility to both be part of Merriweather as a reserve security on the depth chart or unseat him for a roster spot. At 6-foot, 190, Banks isn’t as huge or bodily because the 6-foot, 212-pound Merriweather, however he’s quicker. Banks has 4.45 pace, which permits him to play each free and robust security, whereas Merriweather, who has 4.62 pace, is primarily a powerful security.
WR Kameron Johnson
Bucs WR Kameron Johnson – Picture by: Cliff Welch/PR
Johnson is a 5-foot-10, 190-pound receiver from tiny Barton Faculty in North Carolina. The Bucs didn’t even have any Barton tape of their system, however the workforce’s space scout went to highschool and watched Johnson follow and watched sport tape there and pounded the desk for him after the draft. Jason Licht and John Spytek, being glorious at their jobs and trusting their space scouts, listened and signed Johnson in undrafted free company.
A really gifted athlete, Johnson’s pace and agility are on par with former Bucs receiver Deven Thompkins. However Thompkins was 5-foot-8, 155 kilos and Johnson is 35 kilos heavier and two inches taller. Control Johnson as a attainable return specialist in addition to making a run on the WR6 spot on the depth chart throughout coaching camp.
FAB 4. Most Stacked Place Heading Into Camp – Offense
The Bucs have seen vital upgrades on offense this offseason with operating again Bucky Irving bolstering that room, and rookies Graham Barton and Elijah Klein and veterans Sua Opeta and Ben Bredeson including much more expertise to the offensive line. However in the case of essentially the most stacked assortment of expertise on offense, the extensive receiver place stands out.
Bucs WR Jalen McMillan – Picture by: Cliff Welch/PR
Not solely do the Bucs return the one receiver duo to have 1,000-yard seasons in every of the final three years in Mike Evans and Chris Godwin, however Tampa Bay has a pair of younger, proficient receivers in Jalen McMillan, this yr’s third-round decide, and Trey Palmer, who was final yr’s WR3. That quartet is immensely proficient, and Godwin will probably be closely motivated getting into a giant contract yr.
Tampa Bay will seemingly maintain not less than 5 receivers this yr – presumably six attributable to Liam Coen favoring three-receiver units. And the Bucs have a number of proficient gamers vying for the ultimate roster spot or two.
Rakim Jarrett, an undrafted free agent from a yr in the past, continues to show heads in follow and may very well be an element as a kick return candidate, too. He’s a favourite to assert both the WR5 or WR 6 spot. Tampa Bay can also be keen on undrafted free agent rookie Kameron Johnson, in addition to Ryan Miller, a follow squader from final yr, retains making performs in follow.
Throw in veteran newcomer Sterling Shepard, a 31-year previous receiver with loads of expertise, and the group of 13 extensive receivers will get even stronger. Shepard, who was school teammates with Baker Mayfield at Oklahoma, may also be within the combine for one of many closing spots on the extensive receiver depth chart.
Exterior of Evans, Godwin, Palmer and McMillan, that’s 4 professional opponents battling for one or two roster spots at extensive receiver. The Bucs haven’t had one of these depth since Evans, Godwin, Antonio Brown, Scotty Miller and Tyler Johnson helped the workforce win Tremendous Bowl LV in 2020.
FAB 5. Most Stacked Place Heading Into Camp – Protection
So far as Todd Bowles’ protection goes, the one place that seems to be stacked is exterior linebacker. Whereas the Bucs might or might not have a double-digit sacker this yr, there appears to be sufficient younger expertise to have an edge rusher – or two – emerge as an actual power getting after the quarterback. Bear in mind in 2020, Shaq Barrett solely had eight sacks within the common season and Jason Pierre-Paul was the Bucs’ lone Professional Bowler with 9.5 that yr.
Bucs OLBs Yaya Diaby and Markees Watts – Picture by: Cliff Welch/PR
Yaya Diaby figures to be one of many starters, and presently Joe Tryon-Shoyinka, who’s getting into an enormous contract yr, is penciled in as the alternative starter. Behind these two are six-year veteran Anthony Nelson, who can also be in a contract yr, and Chris Braswell, the workforce’s second-round decide.
Tryon-Shoyinka and Nelson must be extremely motivated this yr with a brand new contract in Tampa Bay – or elsewhere – on the road. And Braswell might have an identical rookie yr to Diaby the place he begins off sluggish as a rotational participant however emerges as a starter over the second half of the season.
After these 4, the Bucs have two different younger, promising go rushers in Markees Watts and Jose Ramirez. Watts was a situational go rusher final yr who led Tampa Bay’s edge rushers with a 23.1% go rush win price – albeit with a smaller pattern dimension. He and Ramirez are each within the combine for the OLB5 spot on the depth chart. If each shine, Tampa Bay might even discover a option to maintain six exterior linebackers if the blokes on the finish of the depth chart are star particular groups contributors.
And at last, there may be free agent addition Randy Gregory, who was a no-show for your complete offseason, together with the obligatory mini-camp. Skipping that may get him fined round $100,000, however it additionally places him approach behind everybody else by way of studying the intricacies of Bowles’ protection.
If Gregory decides he desires to play soccer, exhibits as much as camp and rapidly will get caught up, he’ll develop into the seventh legit choice to make the Bucs exterior linebacker depth chart. Oh, and Tampa Bay can also be happy with undrafted free brokers Shaun Peterson Jr. and Daniel Grzesiak.
The Bucs didn’t exit and lay our a fortune on a free agent like Danielle Hunter or Bryce Huff. However they could have an underrated, untapped expertise on their present depth chart who can emerge the way in which Barrett did in his first season in Tampa Bay in 2019.
