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INTRO: I grew up studying Sports activities Illustrated and have become a fan of lead NFL author Peter King, and would religiously learn his MMQB column on SI.com. A part of his MMQB column was a section referred to as 10 Issues I Suppose I Suppose, and with so many ideas in regards to the Bucs offseason brewing in my head – extra than simply 5 ideas for an SR’s FAB 5 – I made a decision to change up this week’s format as soon as once more as an ode to King and give you 10 Issues I Suppose I Suppose About Bucs OTAs.
Y’all appeared to love this change-up just a few weeks in the past after I did a ten Issues I Suppose I Suppose About The Bucs Offseason, so I hope you get pleasure from this week’s version!
1. I Suppose The Bucs WR Room Will Be Nice With out Mike Evans
Type of a daring assertion proper off the highest, eh? Earlier than you leap to conclusions about this remark referring Tampa Bay now not having Mike Evans, the very best offensive participant in franchise historical past, on the roster let me make clear. I’m not suggesting that the Bucs received’t miss Evans. At occasions they are going to. He’s an alpha huge receiver and a future Corridor of Famer. If Evans stays wholesome and performs in at the least 15 video games in San Francisco he ought to hit 1,000 receiving yards once more. And I’m not suggesting that Tampa Bay might be higher off with out Evans. The group received’t be higher off, however they are going to be simply positive.
Chris Godwin Jr. is absolutely wholesome this offseason and is serving within the function of mentor and chief of the WR room – a title he has shared with Evans all through the years regardless that he has solely had one official yr as a group captain, which was in 2023. Anticipate Godwin to as soon as once more get the “C” on his uniform now that Evans has departed in free company. He helped carry Emeka Egbuka and Tez Johnson alongside final yr as rookies, and Godwin will do the identical for rookie Ted Hurst this season. His veteran management is invaluable as a result of it’s a mixture of lead by instance in addition to verbally via one-on-one conversations with the younger receivers.
Bucs WRs Jalen McMillan and Chris Godwin Jr. – Photograph by: Cliff Welch/PR
With Jalen McMillan, Godwin, Egbuka, Johnson and Hurst, who has regarded sensational in each the rookie mini-camp and the primary week of OTAs, the Bucs are a legit 5 deep at huge receiver. Godwin ought to have a bounce-back season after being additional faraway from his ankle damage and a complete offseason to relaxation slightly than rehab. Will he return to type as a 1,000-yard receiver? I don’t suppose he has to, however I feel reaching 700 yards – with some well timed, influence catches – is appropriate and extra to the group’s stage of expectation for him at age 30.
Attributable to his age and historical past of leg accidents, which can have robbed him of half a step, Godwin will primarily play within the slot this season as soon as once more. That’s the place he’s feasted on favorable matchups towards linebackers, safeties and nickelbacks earlier than. Look no additional than his sizzling begin to the season in 2024 in Liam Coen’s offense.
Egbuka will cut up time with Godwin within the slot and begin because the group’s Z receiver (flanker) and he ought to vie for the group lead in receptions because of this. He confirmed star potential final yr, main the group with 63 catches for 938 yards (14.9 avg.) and 6 touchdowns as a rookie, developing with game-winning TDs within the Bucs’ first two wins final yr.
Already off to a sizzling begin with a sensational, one-handed seize in Tampa Bay’s first OTA follow on Tuesday, Egbuka might be higher after an offseason of relaxation. The truth that he received a nationwide championship and performed in three additional postseason video games at Ohio State in 2024 triggered him to hit a rookie wall final December.
HERE IT IS! 🏴☠️
McMillan has the uncooked potential to play all three receiver positions and may profit from favorable matchups with extra consideration from defensive coordinators going to Godwin and Egbuka this yr. As I’ve mentioned earlier than, it’s potential that the Bucs have a special 100-yard receiver each week with McMillan being a viable candidate some weeks. Baker Mayfield loves throwing to the open receiver and doesn’t normally drive the ball to a sure man. McMillan is again with a vengeance this yr and can get open usually.
Hurst goes to essentially open some eyes as a rookie. He’s going to have a pair 100-yard video games as a result of he’s so rattling large at 6-foot-4 and so rattling quick with 4.42 velocity. And there’s an opportunity Hurst might really lead the Bucs in touchdowns with round seven as a rookie as a result of he’s going for use rather a lot in isolation conditions within the decrease purple zone and on fades into the tip zone the best way Evans was. He’s going to be a star in Tampa Bay as a X receiver and an occasional large slot receiver (suppose Drake London in Atlanta) – mark it down.
Bucs WR Ted Hurst and WRs coach Bryan McClendon – Photograph by: Cliff Welch/PR
And don’t neglect about Johnson, who chipped in with 5 touchdowns as a seventh-round draft decide final yr. There’s a log jam at Z with Egbuka and McMillan forward of Johnson, however the expertise he gained final yr will serve him effectively as he continues to be a priceless reserve receiver who can even excel on screens and gadget performs this yr in Zac Robinson’s offense.
So it got here as no shock when the huge receivers have been the celebrities of the primary week of OTAs in Tampa Bay – and never simply on Tuesday, which was the day open to the media. Sources inform me that Egbuka, McMillan and Hurst have been consist star performers all three days. That’s going to be an indication of issues to return heading into – and all through – coaching camp.
2. I Suppose Jason Licht Simply Has A Knack For Drafting Receivers
We give Bucs normal supervisor Jason Licht a ton of credit score for drafting elite offensive linemen, and we definitely ought to. As a former guard at Nebraska, he is aware of the place inside and outside and has an excellent observe report for hitting on his picks when drafting O-linemen.
Licht traded as much as draft All-Professional Tristan Wirfs, a future Corridor of Famer, within the first spherical in 2020, in addition to Professional Bowl guard Ali Marpet (2015), Professional Bowl-caliber proper deal with Luke Godeke (2022) and Professional Bowl-caliber guard Cody Mauch (2023) within the second spherical. He’s additionally drafted a pair of Tremendous Bowl-winning linemen in left deal with Donovan Smith (2015) and Alex Cappa (2017) within the second and third rounds, respectively. Graham Barton, a first-round heart in 2024, has additionally proven some promise and is a strong starter on the very least.
Bucs WRs Emeka Egbuka and Tez Johnson – Photograph by: Cliff Welch P/R
However Licht is also referred to as the Receiver Guru, too. What number of NFL normal managers have drafted each the very best and the second-best huge receivers in franchise historical past? I can’t consider one apart from Licht, who drafted each Mike Evans and Chris Godwin Jr.
Evans and Emeka Egbuka have been first-round picks in 2014 and 2025, respectively, however Licht has really killed it within the third spherical, too. That’s the place he drafted Godwin in 2017, Jalen McMillan in 2024 and Ted Hurst this yr. McMillan could possibly be in for his finest yr but in Tampa Bay if he can keep wholesome, and Hurst goes to be an absolute steal as he appears to be like the a part of an NFL receiver already in follow.
The Bucs might not have a 1,000-yard receiver this yr, however I might see a state of affairs the place Egbuka, McMillan and Godwin all wind up round 800 yards apiece with Hurst chipping in round 500 yards. Even when the 30-year outdated Godwin finally retires, Tampa Bay’s receiver room will nonetheless flourish with Egbuka, McMillan and Hurst because the starters and Tez Johnson, a seventh-round steal final yr, as a priceless reserve.
Not solely has Licht drafted some critical expertise on the place, however and the Bucs have efficiently averted drafting diva receivers. That was a lesson Licht realized from the DeSean Jackson days below Dirk Koetter. Discover proficient, team-oriented receivers – not divas. And Licht has accomplished that exceptionally effectively.
3. I Suppose Larger Is Higher Alongside The Bucs Defensive Line
Head coach Todd Bowles wasn’t kidding when he mentioned he wished the Bucs to get greater up entrance this offseason to assist cease the run in 2026. The defensive position room definitely handed the eyeball check throughout Tuesday’s OTA – and that’s even with out 347-pound Professional Bowl nostril deal with Vita Vea, who has resumed his offseason exercises with Ndamukong Suh throughout the nation.
Veteran newcomer A’Shawn Robinson definitely appears to be like the half at an enormous 6-foot-3, 320 kilos. Not solely will he be simpler stopping the run than Logan Corridor was because the 4i-5-technique defensive deal with, however his expertise, perspective and management will all considerably profit the defensive position room and the protection generally. Some scoffed this offseason over his addition and consider the Bucs overpaid him at $10 million per yr, however I feel he’s going to be value each penny.
Bucs DTs A’Shawn Robinson and Haggai Ndubuisi – Photograph by: Cliff Welch/PR
Have a look at it this fashion. If Robinson’s large physique and on-the-field efficiency and manufacturing is value $6 million, then his outspoken management within the locker room and within the movie room, alongside together with his on-field swagger might be value the additional $4 million. Tampa Bay’s protection has been too gentle over the previous two years and Robinson was introduced in to not solely carry toughness, but in addition key an perspective adjustment all through the entire unit. That alone might show to be invaluable this yr, and that’s an essential intangible that Robinson brings relating to team-building – not a trait that you would be able to essentially glean from watching tape.
As spectacular as Robinson is from a measurement standpoint, there are some younger defensive tackles that look simply as spectacular in follow from a bodily standpoint. Elijah Roberts, final yr’s fifth-round decide, appears to be like greater than his 6-foot-4, 295-pound body suggests. That’s what Roberts is listed at on the Bucs roster, which is commonly incorrect. Roberts, who’s cross-training as a backup 3-technique and 4i, appears to be like like he’s effectively over 300 kilos now as he continues to transition from being a 4-3 defensive finish in school to a defensive deal with in Tampa Bay.
“E-Rob is nice,” Robinson mentioned. “He’s explosive, quick off the ball. Uses his hands well. Takes coaching and tips here and there perfectly and applies them now. He’s a great player.”
The actual showstopper is Jayson Jones, a gargantuan 6-foot-6, 340-pound nostril deal with who was on the Bucs’ follow squad early within the yr after being signed as a rookie after he didn’t make the ultimate roster cutdown in Baltimore. Jones was going to be elevated to the energetic roster and begin rather than the injured Logan Corridor within the Week 4 sport towards Philadelphia however tore his bicep in follow just a few days prior. That landed him on injured reserve and 6-foot-1, 335-pound nostril deal with Elijah Simmons was elevated as a substitute.
Bucs DT Jayson Jones – Photograph by: Cliff Welch/PR
“Having JJ is great to see that big, powerful, explosive guy to be able to get on and off blocks,” Robinson mentioned. “To have that quickness to get off the ball. It’s great seeing those guys really come into themselves coming into the next year.”
Throw in 6-foot-6, 300-pound newcomer Haggai Ndubuisi, who performed in Houston final yr, and fifth-round decide DeMonte Capehart, who’s 6-foot-5, 315 kilos, and the Bucs have some critical beef up entrance on protection. It’s night time and day from a yr in the past with the likes of Corridor and Greg Gaines on the energetic roster, and there might be some critical battles in coaching camp and the preseason for the ultimate two roster spots on the defensive position behind Calijah Kancey, Vea, Robinson and Roberts.
4. I Suppose Marcus West Could Be My Favourite Bucs Assistant Coach
When you’ve learn my columns on PewterReport.com and considered my reporting on the Pewter Report Podcast through the years you understand that I’m a defensive-minded man. I performed some defensive position in highschool (albeit not very effectively) and even spent six years teaching my sons’ Pop Warner group as a defensive position coach and defensive coordinator. I had the privilege of watching defensive position gurus like Rod Marinelli and Joe Cullen coach in Tampa Bay.
I gravitate in direction of loud, high-energy coaches, and I really feel these sorts are probably the most profitable teaching defensive position. And I feel that’s why the unit as a complete started to slip below Kacy Rodgers after Ndamukong Suh left following the 2021 season, and definitely fell off final yr when 65-year outdated Charlie Robust took over because the place coach. Robust was too stoic and quiet for my liking, and wasn’t very efficient.
Bucs DL coach Marcus West and DT Rakeem Nunez-Roches – Photograph by: Cliff Welch/PR
So Todd Bowles pulled the final word course correction with 42-year outdated Marcus West, who actually does hand-to-hand fight together with his defensive linemen. I really like the relentless teaching type of West, who’s at all times telling his defensive linemen, “I need more!”
This man is the true deal, and won’t simply get probably the most out of veterans like Vita Vea, Calijah Kancey and A’Shawn Robinson, however extra importantly, actually develop the younger expertise behind them in Tampa Bay. I actually get pleasure from watching this man coach. West is a particular coach.
5. I Suppose Offensive Deal with May Be Bucs’ Most Loaded Place
As if the Bucs don’t have among the finest 1-2 punches at offensive deal with with All-Professional Tristan Wirfs and Luke Goedeke – each of whom make over $20 million per yr – the group has some critical depth behind them on the place. The purpose of each NFL group is to discover a succesful swing deal with – an offensive deal with that may step in when an damage hits at both left or proper deal with and play regular soccer. The Bucs are literally blessed to have discovered two such succesful swing tackles and each will make the roster this yr.
Veteran Justin Skule returns to Tampa Bay after spending final yr at Minnesota. Skule began at left and proper deal with in the course of the 2024 season and proved to be a strong fill-in for each Wirfs and Goedeke that yr. Final yr the group signed veteran Charlie Heck to fill that function and he wasn’t nearly as good as Skule was, so it’s good to have Skule again with the Buccaneers the place he matches in so effectively within the locker room.
Bucs OT Paul Rubelt – Photograph by: Cliff Welch/PR
Heck wasn’t re-signed due to the emergence of Ben Chukwuma, who made the 53-man roster as an undrafted free agent out of Georgia State. Chukwuma made a few begins at left deal with towards New Orleans and Miami and regarded good doing so regardless of the Nigerian-born deal with’s lack of expertise. He’s an unbelievable athlete who has starter potential down the highway.
As if having two very succesful swing tackles wasn’t sufficient, the Bucs made signing UCF offensive deal with Paul Rubelt a precedence in undrafted free company. At 6-foot-10, 310 kilos, Rubelt is called “Tall Paul” across the constructing, and he’s had a formidable begin to his rookie season with an amazing displaying within the rookie mini-camp and displaying in OTAs final week.
Having been born in Germany, Rubelt will make the group because the Bucs’ IPP (Worldwide Pathway Program) participant and might be given a roster exemption. He’s already a greater athlete than one other German-born offensive deal with Lorenz Metz, who was the group’s IPP participant the final couple of years. Whereas he’s not as prepared to start out as Chukwuma proved to be final yr, Rubelt has some actual upside. It’s loopy to suppose that the Bucs may be five-deep at offensive deal with.
6. I Suppose Rookie TE Bauer Sharp Is Going To Shock Some Folks
There was once a time when the Bucs simply couldn’t hit on draft picks on Day 3. Now, nearly each Day 3 decide Tampa Bay makes winds up making the roster for a number of years – not simply the rookie season. And I’m not speaking about fourth-round finds like tight finish Cade Otton and working again Bucky Irving. I’m speaking about late Day 3 guys like seventh-round receiver Tez Johnson, who contributed 5 touchdowns as a rookie final yr.
Though he could be the most unheralded of Tampa Bay’s draft picks, sixth-round tight finish Bauer Sharp already has the Bucs buzzing over his potential to make performs as a receiver. He had an amazing landing in Wednesday’s OTA follow, in accordance with one in every of my sources, and in addition made just a few highlight-reel performs within the rookie mini-camp. There’s a cause why the Bucs traded as much as get him within the sixth spherical.
Bucs TE Bauer Sharp – Photograph by: Adam Warren/PR
I feel his arrival might sign Devin Culp’s departure. The group’s seventh-round decide in 2024 has been sluggish to develop as a blocker and within the weight room. He’s struggled to get on the sector below two totally different offensive coordinators. Culp will want the coaching camp and preseason of his life to beat out Sharp and stick on the roster this yr.
I wouldn’t be stunned if Sharp winds up competing with Payne Durham for the No. 2 tight finish function this yr sooner or later. Durham is strictly a blocking tight finish and is coming into a contract yr. It’s laborious to think about the Bucs re-signing him after this season to something apart from an affordable, one-year deal like they lately did with Ko Kieft. So Sharp would possibly wind up being a starter in 12 personnel subsequent yr alongside Cade Otton if he actually develops throughout his rookie marketing campaign.
7. I Suppose The Bucs Will Be Working Again-By-Committee This 12 months
Except Bucky Irving returns to the lineup in coaching camp and begins sizzling out of the gate with some large dashing days, I feel we’re going to see a working back-by-committee strategy in Tampa Bay below new offensive coordinator Zac Robinson. Though he wasn’t right here final yr, working backs coach Skip Peete and head coach Todd Bowles have been, and so they noticed how the early season workload might have performed a task in Irving getting banged up in Week 4 with an ankle damage and a shoulder damage that lingered all yr and wanted to be surgically repaired this offseason.
At 5-foot-9, 192 kilos, Irving has some particular make-you-miss potential as a runner. However when he doesn’t make defenders miss, Irving’s small body can take some actual punishment. Due to final yr’s sturdiness points, the Bucs hedged their bets and signed Kenneth Gainwell to an eye-opening two-year, $14 million deal. And after the group determined towards giving Sean Tucker the restricted free agent tender of $3.52 million, the Bucs reversed course and introduced him again on a one-year deal that can pay Tucker twice what Irving might be incomes this yr. Not dangerous for “a third-string running back.”
Bucs RB Kenneth Gainwell – Photograph by: Cliff Welch/PR
Though Gainwell has only one 100-yard sport in his five-year NFL profession, he had a pair of video games in Pittsburgh final yr the place he topped 90 yards. If Irving goes down for a time period in 2026 I’ve little question that Gainwell and Tucker, who has a pair of 100-yard dashing video games over his three years in Tampa Bay, might get the job accomplished as a tandem.
Bowles even went as far as to name Gainwell RB1B to Irving’s RB1A designation. In different phrases, for $7 million per yr, Gainwell just isn’t going to play second fiddle to Irving this yr the best way Rachaad White did final yr as former offensive coordinator Josh Grizzard force-fed Irving the ball. I’m not saying that Irving received’t get 1,000 yards this yr on the bottom. He might. However I feel he would possibly get 800 yards whereas Gainwell and Tucker every get 600 yards and the unit tops 2,000 yards collectively.
8. I Suppose Tampa Bay’s Offense Is Going To Be Forward Of The Protection This Summer time
It’s not unusual to see a group’s protection forward of the offense within the offseason, and even in coaching camp. But when Tuesday’s OTA was any indication, the alternative could possibly be true in Tampa Bay this summer time. Huge receivers have been working huge open on Tuesday (and that was additionally the case on Wednesday and Thursday) and it’s no shock given Baker Mayfield’s familiarity with Chris Godwin Jr., Emeka Egbuka, Jalen McMillan, Tez Johnson, Cade Otton and Sean Tucker out of the backfield. To not point out having all 5 starters again alongside the offensive line defending Mayfield.
That’s plenty of consistency over the past yr or two on offense for a really revamped Bucs protection to should take care of. Todd Bowles might have as many as 5 new starters out of 11 on protection this yr. It’s going to take a while for brand spanking new linebackers like Alex Anzalone, Josiah Trotter and Christian Rozeboom to totally digest the protection and study the intricacies of Bowles’ calls. To not point out newcomers Rueben Bain Jr. and Al-Quadin Muhammad getting up to the mark alongside the defensive position and getting David Walker again and acclimated to the system.
Bucs QB Baker Mayfield – Photograph by: Cliff Welch/PR
The Bucs secondary might be a piece in progress with Benjamin Morrison needing extra expertise after lacking plenty of time as a rookie, and nickelback Keionte Scott ranging from the bottom flooring. I count on Tampa Bay’s receivers to have their approach with the secondary for fairly a while till the unit learns from taking its lumps towards a really formidable arsenal of receivers.
The place the Bucs protection could possibly be very a lot forward of the offense this summer time is within the working sport. Granted, there are not any pads on proper now, however any try on the Bucs working huge zone – and even between the tackles – was met with clogged holes because of plenty of large defensive our bodies up entrance on in the course of the first week of OTAs. If the proficient Tampa Bay offensive line can get the bottom sport getting into coaching camp towards what must be a really stout run protection, then the Bucs’ dashing assault might be able to run towards anyone.
9. I Suppose Zac Robinson Is Going To Be Very Profitable As The Bucs OC
Simply name it a hunch, however new offensive coordinator Zac Robinson goes to be nearly as good as marketed this yr. Or perhaps it’s the truth that I’ve heard that from not solely head coach Todd Bowles this offseason (who mentioned the identical factor about Liam Coen within the weeks earlier than the 2024 coaching camp), but in addition Coen himself on the NFL Annual Assembly in Phoenix.
Bucs OC Zac Robinson – Photograph by: Cliff Welch/PR
Coen instructed me “Robinson knows how to get receivers open,” and that was definitely the case throughout Tuesday’s OTAs the place the ball hardly ever hit the bottom. All the Bucs quarterbacks – Baker Mayfield, Jake Browning, Connor Bazelak and rookie Jalon Daniels – have been extraordinarily environment friendly throwing the ball. And the rationale why was as a result of the receivers have been getting open.
The massive-time benefit to having an skilled play-caller like Robinson, who spent the final two years as Atlanta’s offensive coordinator, readily available this yr is that Bowles can solely deal with the protection and provides Robinson full autonomy. Bowles will stay the play-caller on protection and may have much more time to dedicate to turning what was a sub-par unit over the past two years right into a group power.
10. I Suppose We’ve Been Killing It With The Pewter Report Podcasts This Offseason
Pewter Report continues to crank out some actually superb Pewter Report Podcast episodes this offseason. We’ve been joined by the likes of NFL Inventory Alternate and Pewter Report alum Trevor Sikkema, NFL Movies’ Greg Cosell and Fox Sports activities’ Greg Auman, in addition to outdoors linebacker David Walker, proper guard Cody Mauch, cornerback Zyon McCollum and normal supervisor Jason Licht from the Buccaneers to date this spring.
Our string of Bucs friends continues subsequent week with cornerback Jacob Parrish’s debut on the Pewter Report Podcast on Thursday. Be sure you watch that episode in addition to our Bucs OTA Week 2 episode on Tuesday following follow.
All exhibits, together with our Monday and Wednesday podcasts – matters to be decided – are stay at 4:00 p.m. ET on our PewterReportTV YouTube channel. Can’t watch the stay exhibits? No drawback. All of our podcasts are archived on PewterReportTV the place you can too discover my Pewter Pulse movies, too.
