The Bucs felt that they added a flexible offensive gamers once they drafted LSU tight finish Bauer Sharp within the sixth spherical. Sharp already made it clear that he doesn’t view himself as a standard, one-dimensional participant. As an alternative, he’s embracing a do-it-all identification that would make him a priceless weapon for Tampa Bay. Whereas it’s probably his function will come on particular groups in his first yr, there’s a possibility to maneuver up the ranks primarily based on the depth on the tight finish place.
Sharp bounced round to a few totally different colleges throughout his faculty profession, starting at Southeastern Louisiana earlier than transferring to larger colleges like Oklahoma and LSU. He confirmed that he did a little bit of every thing for his groups. He’s a prepared blocker, pitched in right here and there within the receiving recreation, and in addition performed some Wildcat quarterback. Sharp had 576 receiving yards and 4 receiving touchdowns mixed between his seasons with the Sooners and Tigers.
Bucs TE Bauer Sharp View Himself As A Swiss Military Knife
“I think I’m one of the most versatile tight ends in the draft. I really do,” Bauer Sharp mentioned after getting drafted. “Just my twitchiness at the top of routes, and I create separation, but also the physicality, the twitch right off the ball to go make a block for a touchdown.”
LSU TE Bauer Sharp – Photograph by: IMAGN Photos – Stephen Lew
Sharp’s confidence isn’t unfounded. His ability set suggests he’s a participant able to lining up all around the formation. It’s a trait that matches properly in right this moment’s NFL, the place versatility is vital to creating mismatches.
“You can put me at fullback, you put me as a ‘Y’ tight end, you can put me as an ‘H’. It really doesn’t matter. I can do it all,” Sharp mentioned. “If you ask me to go run down on kickoff to make a tackle, I’m going to do that as well — all of special teams. I think I’m just a Swiss army knife as they would say.”
That sort of flexibility provides the Bucs choices. Whether or not it’s lining him up in-line, within the backfield, within the slot or cut up out vast, Sharp’s willingness to embrace a number of roles might assist diversify the offense.
“I’m Going To Be Willing To Die For The Block”
What’s going to stand out to Bucs followers about Bauer Sharp is his general mentality. Stats don’t matter to him, it’s nearly successful the sport. That grew to become very obvious when he talked about that he’s going to place all of it on the road for his teammates.
Bucs TE Bauer Sharp – Photograph by: Stephen Lew – IMAGN Photos
“I’m going to be willing to die for the block right off the bat,” Sharp mentioned. “There really isn’t any other words to put it. I’m going to be successful [at blocking]. That’s the nicest way to put it.”
That quote alone will resonate in Tampa Bay’s locker room. The Bucs have lengthy valued physicality on the tight finish place, and Sharp’s method suggests he’s able to embrace the much less glamorous elements of the job. It typically determines how rapidly rookies earn enjoying time.
How A lot Will Bauer Sharp Play For Bucs?
Many clamored for the Bucs to take a good finish early within the 2026 NFL Draft. With Tampa Bay signing Cade Otton to a brand new deal this offseason, it was unlikely they had been going to seek out somebody that might substitute him as a starter.
Bucs TE Bauer Sharp – Photograph by: IMAGN Photos – Scott Clause
With that mentioned, there was nonetheless a possibility to enhance the remainder of the room and doubtlessly get an improve over second-stringer Payne Durham and third-string tight finish Devin Culp. It’s solely a prediction, however Sharp has probability to surpass Culp on the depth chart and push Durham, who’s within the final yr of his contract.
“I would just say I’m a go-getter. I’m going to do anything for my teammates. I’m in love with my teammates, seriously,” Sharp mentioned. “I’m passionate. I’m a little crazy when I put the helmet on, but I’ll do anything for Bucs nation and everybody around me.”
