Tampa Bay Buccaneers Hard Decisions For Backup Spots

As the Tampa Bay Buccaneers get closer to the season’s start, roster selections need to be made for the backup spots. The wide receiver spot is one position with a lot of talent and potential. We all know that wide receiver stars Mike Evans and Chris Godwin will be on the field, but who else do the Tampa Bay Buccaneers have that could contribute to the offense? Also, how will they fit in this new scheme the Bucs are running?

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers made some moves in the offseason to acquire talent for the wide receiver position. After a good performance last season, the Bucs solidified the quarterback spot with Baker Mayfield, giving him a contract extension with the team. The Buccaneers are already weaponed with veteran Mike Evans, who has had ten consecutive seasons with over 1,000 yards and looks to continue it. The Buccaneers need more weapons at receiver than just him and Chris Godwin, who is deadly for the Bucs at the slot position.    

Jalen McMillan

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One name that has been running wild in the Tampa Bay Buccaneers training camp is Jalen McMillan. The Bucs drafted him in this year’s draft in the third round out of Washington. During training camp, McMillan impressed the coaching staff immediately. Coach Todd Bowles said this about him. According to Brianna Dix,

“He’s a good football player. Since he’s come in, he’s made every play since day one. He’s very intelligent. He wants to be good, he wants to learn. The receiving group loves him, and he continues to get better and better. I like where he’s at.”

The Washington Husky has pleased the coaching staff and teammates with his performance throughout training camp and two preseason games. In the two games combined, McMillan has three receptions for 29 yards. Recently, in a joint practice with the Miami Dolphins, the rookie wide receiver scored on a sideline pass from Tampa Bay Buccaneers Quarterback Baker Mayfield. The two have made quite the connection during training camp and have become one of Mayfield’s go-to targets during camp. According to the team’s website, on July 31st of this year, Mayfield had this to say about him,

“He’s going to make plays when the ball is in the air, and that’s one thing that I’m continuing to learn – really, just give him a chance. He might not be the biggest guy, but he’s going to go up and highpoint the ball and that’s a natural skill that he has. My trust is going to continue to grow as long as he keeps doing the right things, and he is. I think he’s got the right attitude.”

Kameron Johnson

Another young, talented receiver the Tampa Bay Buccaneers picked up has amazed players and coaching staff: Kameron Johnson. Johnson was undrafted from Barton College in North Carolina and is the first NFL player to sign with a team from that college. Last season, Johnson caught 51 receptions for 875 yards with seven touchdowns. Johnson knows his capability and had this to say about himself on the Bucs website,

“Obviously, speed kills and you can’t really coach speed, but I feel like you do not know what to expect from me. I can go deep, I can run decent routes, and you never know what I will bring. I can push the field vertical but also, just lateral. I think I can out-run anybody if I get the chance.”

Johnson has been suffering from a rib issue and it has halted his progression throughout camp. The Tampa Bay Buccaneers medical staff have given him the all-clear to return to practice and will be playing in the last preseason game against the Miami Dolphins on Friday. He did not play in the first two preseason games because of the injury. With the new offensive scheme, they want to capitalize on creating space and opportunistic matchups against the defense. Mayfield feels he would be a good addition to the team and likes the way he works.

Cody Thompson

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One Tampa Bay Buccaneers receiver who stood out during the preseason games against the Cincinnati Bengals and Jacksonville Jaguars is Cody Thompson. In the two games, Thompson has caught eight balls for 92 yards with one touchdown. Thompson who was undrafted spent time with the Kansas City Chiefs and the Seattle Seahawks before signing with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

Thompson has influenced the coaching staff with his skills during training camp. The Tampa Bay Buccaneers star receiver Chris Godwin noticed Thompson and other wide receivers at camp that have good potential that could be brought to the team. Godwin had his to say according to team reporter Brianna Dix,

“That is a testament to those guys and the work that they have put in…We probably have 10 guys that can realistically make the roster. Kam [Johnson] has been doing a really great job. Cody [Thompson], Ryan [Miller] have been doing a great job, (as well as) Raleigh [Webb]. I think throughout camp, Rock [Rakim Jarrett] has been doing good things and there have been a lot of guys that have made plays throughout camp to show that they are capable of doing it.”

Bucs Decision Time

Who the Tampa Bay Buccaneers place in the starting and backup position will be tough and will take a little bit of time. The Bucs only have until this coming Tuesday to reduce the team from 91 to 53. With so much potential and talent on the team, it would be hard for any coaching staff to decide what’s best for the team. The game with the Dolphins will be the last chance for potential backups to show what they have to make it to the roster for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

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