The Buccaneers spent the offseason trying to patch up a tight end room that had become way too thin behind Cade Otton, and their first preseason look at Bauer Sharp gave them a reason to feel better about that move.
Sharp, Tampa Bay’s sixth-round pick out of LSU, got right into the action against the New York Jets and finished with four catches on five targets for 24 yards. It wasn’t a spotless debut - he dropped his first target and later put the ball on the ground, though it bounced out of bounds before the Jets could turn it into a turnover - but the rookie still made his presence felt as a receiver.
That mattered because the rest of the backup tight end group didn’t offer much in the box score. Payne Durham and Ko Kieft were held without a catch, while Devin Culp managed one reception for 14 yards. Sharp’s production put him right near the top of Tampa Bay’s receiving output on the night, tying for second on the team in catches.
Culp is the name that stands out here because his path to the roster is so much narrower. Durham and Kieft bring value in other ways, especially as blockers, and Kieft remains a key special teams piece. He backed that up in a big way with the highest Pro Football Focus grade of any Buccaneer in the preseason opener, an elite 92.7.
Culp doesn’t have that same safety net. Blocking isn’t really his calling card, so if he’s going to stick, he needs to separate himself as a pass catcher. Through two seasons, he has just six receptions for 94 yards and a touchdown, and that’s a tough resume to lean on.
Sharp was drafted for more than just what he can do with the ball in his hands, too. Tampa Bay liked his reputation as a willing and violent blocker, and while he still has plenty of growing to do, the early signs were encouraging.
One preseason game won’t settle the battle, but Sharp’s debut put real pressure on Culp. If Culp doesn’t make a strong push the rest of the way, Tampa Bay’s rookie tight end could end up being the piece that closes the door.
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Ayden Garnes has already given Buccaneers fans a preseason moment to remember, and it came from a player who arrived in Tampa Bay with plenty of reasons to be noticed. The undrafted rookie cornerback made a splash in the preseason opener with a 47-yard pick-six, the kind of play that can turn a camp battle into something much more interesting for a team sorting through the back end of its roster.
Garnes has been drawing attention for more than just his play on the field. Before his NFL career, he underwent a bone marrow donation procedure after being identified as a match during a collegiate drive at Duquesne University, a selfless act that potentially saved the life of a woman in her 20s. Now he is trying to turn that same blend of character and athleticism into a place on the Buccaneers roster, and he has given himself an early story worth following. [Read more 🡒]
Buccaneers Get A Tristan Wirfs Boost As Emeka Egbuka Sparks Concern
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The concern moment came with Emeka Egbuka, who left early after a lower-body toe issue while working against New York. The rookies departure briefly changed the tone of the session, even if the injury is not viewed as a long-term problem, and Tampa Bay will be watching closely to see how he responds as camp moves forward. [Read more 🡒]
Bucs Defense Flashed As Tampa Bay Got A Crucial Camp Boost
The Buccaneers got a useful jolt at training camp practice as they continued preparing for their preseason matchup with Kansas City, and the defense made sure it was the group drawing attention. Jacob Parrish, David Walker and Yaya Diaby were among the standouts, with the unit stacking up pass breakups and sacks while showing the kind of activity Tampa Bay has been looking for as camp rolls on.
There was also a welcome sign on the injury front, with Tristan Wirfs, Benjamin Morrison and S JJ Roberts back on the practice field. The defensive highlights kept coming as the day went on, including takeaways that helped underline how sharp the group looked, even if there is still more to learn about how quickly that momentum can carry into game action. [Read more 🡒]