The Bucs leveraged their rookies at one of many highest charges within the NFL final yr. Tampa Bay rookies performed 4,708 common season snaps final yr, which ranked third within the NFL behind simply the Packers and the Cardinals. 5 rookies wound up as starters by the top of the yr.
Cody Mauch went wire-to-wire because the beginning proper guard. Likewise, Calijah Kancey was the beginning defensive deal with reverse Vita Vea on the defensive aspect of the ball. Undrafted free agent Christian Izien was a shock opening day starter because the nickel nook and began all 19 video games there. Ultimately receiver Trey Palmer and out of doors linebacker Yaya Diaby went from significant rotational gamers to starters by yr’s finish.
Now, contemporary off a playoff run and headed into yr two, let’s take a look at the place every participant matches into the group’s 2024 early roster projection.
Bucs Starters
DL Calijah Kancey
Two of the 5 gamers listed above are locked into beginning roles headed into 2024. First-round decide Calijah Kancey and second-round decide Cody Mauch are each entrenched as starters transferring into their second years.
After an early-season harm value Kancey the majority of the primary 5 video games of the season he had a powerful rookie marketing campaign. He flashed explosive get-off, fast arms and a complicated move rush plan. Kancey’s 34 pressures ranked sixth in amongst all rookies and he registered 4 sacks within the common season and 1.5 extra within the playoffs.
Calijah Kancey popping out of Pitt had as a lot upside as you’ll see for any inside rusher and he’s been a sport wrecker up to now within the playoffs.
Huge sack right here towards Jared Goff 💥 pic.twitter.com/1tJMe3B872
— NFL Draft Information (@NFL_DF) January 21, 2024
OG Cody Mauch
Bucs LG Cody Mauch – Picture by: Cliff Welch/PR
Don’t let the Professional Soccer Focus grades idiot you. Cody Mauch had a promising rookie season. Don’t get me fallacious. There have been tough spots. His move block win fee was too low and should enhance. He additionally had a steep studying curve when it comes to his run blocking as an inside blocker. However there have been flashes all through the season. Mauch by no means appeared overmatched and confirmed progress all through most video games as he realized his opponents.
Mauch was ascending from Week 11 to Week 16 earlier than hitting one thing of a rookie wall in the direction of the top of the season. All of that progress has the Bucs excited for a giant step up in yr two as they proceed to rebuild their offensive line that has nearly fully overturned from their 2020 Tremendous Bowl lineup. Will Mauch keep at proper guard or transfer to left guard this offseason? That’s the large query, however nobody is questioning whether or not or not he can be a starter this yr. Tampa Bay loves his upside.
Cody Mauch and DeMarvin Leal had a enjoyable backwards and forwards pic.twitter.com/XWrxx8GjcT
— Brandon Thorn (@BrandonThornNFL) August 14, 2023
Bucs Starter/Rotational Gamers
YaYa Diaby
Diaby took Joe Tryon-Shoyinka’s beginning position late within the season en path to 7.5 sacks, a pressured fumble and 26 pressures. Diaby confirmed a excessive flooring as a robust run defender whereas changing into a real opportunist as a move rusher. Diaby should construct upon a few of these splash performs by bettering his move rush plan and repertoire.
Diaby’s spot as a starter just isn’t a forgone conclusion. His play final yr warranted a transfer above JTS on the depth chart final yr. However with the additions of Randy Gregory and Chris Braswell it’s anyone’s guess which two gamers can be named starters. However, Diaby will log vital snaps whether or not he’s the starter or not.
You’ve acquired to understand the rookie move rusher, Yaya Diaby (@greatyaya4) placing in work watching tape. Take a look at this callout and adjustment he makes pre-snap – He places himself in one of the best place to make the play at does it! Superior stuff! #Bucsfilm2023wk16 pic.twitter.com/j0hYkNMoa7
— Steven Cheah (@StevenCheah) December 28, 2023
WR Trey Palmer
Bucs WR Trey Palmer – Picture by: USA As we speak
Regardless of being a sixth-round decide, Trey Palmer was shortly thrust into the beginning lineup for the Bucs after Russell Gage was misplaced to a season-ending knee harm in coaching camp. By the point Week 5 rolled round Palmer had elevated himself previous Deven Thompkins because the group’s beginning slot receiver.
Palmer had an up-and-down season with a few spectacular video games the place he persistently acquired open behind defenses however was not all the time in a position to present the manufacturing for it as he and quarterback Baker Mayfield had been unable to attach. His greatest sport was in Week 17 when the Bucs hosted the Saints, and he caught 4 passes for 84 yards and a landing.
For the season Palmer caught 59% of his 66 targets (39) for 385 yards and three touchdowns. The Bucs misused Palmer’s skillset for stretches of the season utilizing him on screens and brief hitches slightly than concentrating on him deep down subject.
Whereas Palmer had an encouraging begin to his profession, the Bucs introduced in competitors this yr within the type of third-round decide Jalen McMillan. The 2 will battle it out for the beginning “Z” receiver position as Tampa Bay has introduced that final yr’s flanker, Chris Godwin, can be transferring inside to the slot. No matter who wins the position, each will see time on the sphere.
Trey Palmer has put collectively a preseason the place he seems like a legit WR3 in that offense pic.twitter.com/nDiiCE2A0c
— Trevor Sikkema (@TampaBayTre) August 26, 2023
Combating For A Position In Tampa Bay
DBs Christian Izien and Josh Hayes
Bucs NCB Josh Hayes – Picture by: Cliff Welch/PR
Izien began the season on a tear with interceptions in back-to-back video games in Weeks 1 and a pair of. The playmaking streak would cease there although. Izien would show to be a strong run defender as a nickelback whereas having an inconsistent season as a protection participant. Izien was focused 62 occasions in 2023 and allowed a 79% catch fee and 1.04 yards per protection fee.
The Bucs introduced in loads of competitors for Izien within the type of free agent Tavierre Thomas and third-round decide Tykee Smith. Izien performed admirably final yr, particularly for his draft standing, however has limitations to his sport. Thomas has a extra confirmed monitor file of success as a slot defender and Smith is an thrilling defender who performed the nickel very nicely for a stout Georgia protection final yr.
If Izien, who will even be cross-trained at security, loses the beginning nickel nook position he could not have a assured roster spot to fall again on. If each Thomas and Smith outplay him he may discover himself on the apply squad to begin the season.
In his NFL debut, Rutgers product Christian Izien makes a goal-line interception for the Buccaneers: pic.twitter.com/NuwD3rU66o
— Brian Fonseca (@briannnnf) September 10, 2023
Josh Hayes was principally a particular groups specialist final yr, logging 279 snaps – principally as a gunner. He led all Bucs gamers with 14 particular groups tackles final yr, which was the second most within the NFL. Hayes was used sparingly as a backup cornerback, enjoying simply 29 snaps on protection. There’s a good likelihood Hayes has a secured place on the roster resulting from his particular groups prowess.
He’s moved from training at nickelback to outdoors cornerback the place he’ll compete for a spot on the depth chart behind Jamel Dean, Zyon McCollum and Bryce Corridor.
TE Payne Durham and WR Rakim Jarrett
Bucs WR Rakim Jarrett – Picture by: Cliff Welch/PR
Rakim Jarrett was an thrilling addition to the Bucs 2023 roster as an undrafted free agent. He made the group over veteran David Moore popping out of coaching camp and logged snaps in each sport till occurring injured reserve in Week 12. Jarrett caught solely 4 passes on the yr, however was beginning to earn extra enjoying time earlier than his harm.
He can be battling with Deven Thompkins for the WR5 position behind Palmer and McMillan. Thompkins could have the leg up as final yr’s return man, however Jarrett has particular groups worth as nicely, averaging over 11 snaps per sport on groups.
Durham made some spectacular grabs close to the purpose line final yr. And he has an opportunity to construct upon these flashes in 2024. The Bucs determined to not bolster their tight finish room with any vital additions in free company or the draft. The group did choose Devin Culp out of Washington within the seventh spherical, however he ought to hardly be thought of a lock to make the group.
If Durham can present consistency as a blocker, he has a transparent path to usurping Ko Kieft because the group’s TE2 behind starter Cade Otton. Kieft is a restricted participant who’s rostered primarily for his capability to dam. However he has not confirmed to be a stud blocker whom the group has to seek out methods to get on the sphere.
As such, if Durham can present a extra well-rounded skillset that features a increased ceiling as a receiver, the Bucs could choose to maneuver him to the backup spot the place he’ll see the sphere extra after which resolve whether or not they would slightly have Culps athleticism and velocity or Kieft’s blocking within the TE3 spot.
uhhh is that Payne Durham or GRONK?!?! pic.twitter.com/77U7splcUF
— NFL on CBS 🏈 (@NFLonCBS) November 26, 2023
ILB SirVocea Dennis
Bucs ILB SirVocea Dennis – Picture by: USA As we speak
Dennis was one other Day 3 decide who was in a position to make a right away contribution on particular groups final yr. The athletic linebacker began one sport after accidents befell Lavonte David. Dennis performed nicely towards Indianapolis, recording 5 tackles and enjoying nicely in protection.
In direction of the top of the season the Bucs made the choice to chop into Devin White’s enjoying time. But it surely wasn’t Dennis who acquired the nod to separate snaps with White. The Bucs as an alternative turned to third-year linebacker Ok.J. Britt. Britt lacks Dennis’ capability to maneuver in area, however offers extra of a thumping, bodily presence.
Whereas Britt is the anticipated starter, there’s a world the place the Bucs choose to separate the linebacker duties subsequent to David between Britt and Dennis much like how they break up the snaps with White and Britt late final yr. Dennis might want to present an inherent ability for move protection that prompts the Bucs to go for him as a 3rd down choice.
