The Bucs have comparatively few beginning jobs up for grabs getting into coaching camp, however a number of younger gamers nonetheless have lots to show. Whether or not it’s incomes a bigger function, solidifying a roster spot, or taking the subsequent step towards turning into long-term contributors, these 5 gamers want robust summers.
Within the first of a two-part sequence inspecting each side of the soccer, listed here are 5 offensive Bucs who should ball out earlier than the season begins.
RB Sean Tucker
It’s no secret that with Kenny Gainwell becoming a member of Bucky Irving within the backfield that the 2 operating backs will eat up a lot of the amount. That leaves Sean Tucker in a precarious place getting into his fourth season. It’s nearly laborious to consider Tucker has been within the league that lengthy. There isn’t a getting across the reality he has needed to earn his taking part in time coming in as an undrafted free agent. He has not had constant taking part in time all through a whole season, evidenced by his 151 carries throughout three seasons. Tucker’s numbers level to a productive again, however he as soon as once more has to place that on show for one more new offensive coordinator.
Bucs RB Sean Tucker and T Tristan Wirfs – Photograph by: IMAGN Photos
Tucker is coming off a profession 12 months, one with 86 carries for 320 yards and 7 touchdowns. Any crew will take that from a third-string operating again. The issue is that he as a rule appears like somebody deserving of extra touches. Dave Canales, Liam Coen, and Josh Grizzard have all struggled to make that occur, which places stress on him impressing in entrance of Zac Robinson.
He shows spectacular traits, from his dynamic acceleration to easily discovering the best holes and bursting proper by means of them. Given he’s essentially the most bodily imposing of the trio, that pencils him in to obtain objective line work and short-yardage conditions. Which may not be the very best for him, nevertheless, as he’s higher in house than operating by means of larger defensive linemen.
In relation to Tucker, there may be little questioning the intrigue of the participant he could be. Time is operating out, and after 4 seasons, he may look elsewhere at a recent begin. It will be laborious to stifle him ought to he shine in coaching camp, making it essential for him to work his manner into the combo this season.
WR Ted Hurst
Of all of the huge receivers that could possibly be talked about right here, why deliver up Ted Hurst?
Bucs WR Ted Hurst – Photograph by: Cliff Welch/PR
All indications are that Hurst has impressed from the beginning of rookie mini-camp, which carried over into OTAs and obligatory mini-camp. He offers Tampa Bay a real vertical X receiver with dimension that no one else on the roster possesses after Mike Evans’ departure. At 6-foot-4 with 4.42 velocity, the third-round decide has game-changing traits that may assist him see the sphere. Regardless of all of this being true, Hurst can’t afford to have a gradual coaching camp. The room he shares with the likes of Chris Godwin Jr., Emeka Egbuka, Jalen McMillan, and Tez Johnson will make it tough for him to file constant targets.
From the beginning, that limits him from being a full-time participant to somebody who is available in on particular packages. Each snap Hurst earns means taking one away from a longtime receiver. It’s a difficult image, one which Zac Robinson won’t have absolutely outlined. What’s going to make it simpler for everybody concerned is that if Hurst exhibits that he actually is the actual deal.
A technique of taking a look at it’s that Hurst has the potential to form the entire offense. Robinson has quite a bit on his plate in overhauling his schematic tendencies from his days calling performs with the Falcons throughout the board. Will there be extra 11 or 12 personnel? Which gamers will slot in particular alignments? Can he and Baker Mayfield depend on and belief a rookie from Georgia State to return up massive in key moments? Indicators of those questions being answered begin in coaching camp, when everyone seems to be combating for taking part in time and a much bigger function.
TE Payne Durham
There are two tight ends I need to point out in a room that’s full of uncertainty. Past Cade Otton, there are 4 tight ends vying for taking part in time. Being the backup behind Otton may show to be a invaluable function that will get to see the sphere in two tight finish units. Whether or not that second possibility will as soon as once more be Payne Durham is value monitoring.
Durham was drafted to be a complementary piece within the room, however he has but to do a lot statistically and has not been as dominant of a blocker as one would have hoped. Reasonably than excel as a blocker and flash as a big-bodied goal, he has flashed as a blocker and all however disappeared as an possibility within the passing sport.
Bucs TE Payne Durham – Photograph by: Cliff Welch/PR
Throughout 17 video games (10 begins), it’s inexcusable that Durham recorded only one catch for 11 yards final season. His profession stat line pales compared to what he completed in faculty, and one has to marvel if being a blocker is all he’s. Altering the narrative begins with making additional strides as a blocker, utilizing each little bit of his 6-foot-5, 255-pound body to be a “human battering ram” on the line of scrimmage.
Exterior of that, there needs to be vital progress as a receiver. Glimpses of it have surfaced previously, however it’s wanted much more with the passing offense restricted in true red-zone threats. Even when he by no means turns into a starter, Durham can stay a key a part of the offense. A strong coaching camp will solely solidify his standing in a crowded and aggressive group to create extra alternatives.
TE Bauer Sharp
Bauer Sharp is the brand new Bucs tight finish to be looking out for this summer time. Listening to his first couple of press conferences, Sharp already checks out as a personality match for the locker room, however it would quickly be time for him to point out that he can have the identical match inside the offense. In comparison with different gamers at his place, the sixth-round decide wants additional improvement, however he additionally appears extra well-rounded and might develop into greater than only a area of interest participant. The identical can’t be stated for Devin Culp or Ko Kieft at this level, and that’s Sharp’s aggressive benefit — ought to he be capable of harness it.
Bucs TE Bauer Sharp – Photograph by: Cliff Welch/PR
There’s a motive Sharp was extremely considered by Tampa Bay’s entrance workplace, sufficient to commerce as much as safe him. He has a powerful athletic profile, and given his newness to the place, the sensation is that his potential is excessive. But, that’s what could be stated about many gamers. For as a lot optimism as one might need, the very fact stays that he’s a late Day 3 decide combating for taking part in time in one of many weaker tight finish rooms round. The numbers again it up. Tampa Bay’s tight ends completed thirty second in receptions (61) and in receiving yards (589) whereas being tied for thirty first in touchdowns (2) in 2025.
Few gamers are combating for extra of an opportunity than Sharp. For him, it’s not about simply making the 53-man roster. It’s about making an affect. That comes with the next degree of variance, as he may both be a follow squad participant or the second or third tight finish. Coaching camp would be the very important measuring stick in figuring out his destiny.
C Graham Barton
The Bucs’ offensive line is in seemingly nice form getting into 2026. Two bookend tackles and two wholesome guards present hope within the unit getting again to its earlier heights. Even so, the inside offensive line wants Graham Barton to carry down the center and look the a part of an above-average middle. That was the expectation of Barton when Tampa Bay made him its first-round decide in 2024.
Primarily a school left sort out, he was considered extremely in making the change to NFL middle, given his cerebral qualities and sneaky athleticism. That elicited ideas of being the subsequent Jason Kelce as Barton aimed to be one of many league’s finest gamers on the place; but, it has not labored out that manner.
Bucs DT Vita Vea and C Graham Barton – Photograph by: Cliff Welch/PR
As a substitute of blossoming right into a premier middle, Barton has settled into the center of the pack on the pivot spot the previous two seasons. There have been flashes of him proving able to doing issues few can, similar to him springing to the sideline on a display move to succeed in the second degree or transferring again to left sort out to begin final season. These are uncommon qualities, however what has held him again to an extent is his play power.
Seeing him get outmuscled by Vita Vea is one factor, however seeing that occur in opposition to opposing defensive linemen in the course of the 12 months is one other. For Barton to really attain his ceiling, he has to have extra than simply a mean coaching camp. He doesn’t must develop into an All-Professional in a single day. Coming into his third season, he should go away coaching camp convincing everybody who watches that the very best is but to return.
