The Tampa Bay Buccaneers may have found a receiver with more upside than his draft slot suggests.
When Tampa Bay used a Day 2 pick on Ted Hurst in the 2026 NFL Draft, it added another interesting piece to an offense that already has plenty of mouths to feed. But the early pro comparison attached to Hurst points to a player who could bring real juice to the passing game if everything clicks.
NFL.com draft analyst Lance Zierlein compared Hurst to former NFL wide receiver Gabe Davis.
That’s a meaningful name for a rookie who checks in at 6'4" and brings legitimate deep speed. Hurst has the kind of frame and athletic tools that let him work down the field and fight through contested catches, which is exactly why the comparison makes sense.
He’s not being projected as the kind of receiver who racks up double-digit catches every week. His value is tied to the big play - the kind that flips a drive or changes a game in one snap.
The fit in Tampa Bay is easy to see. Chris Godwin Jr, Jalen McMillan, and Emeka Egbuka are expected to draw plenty of work underneath and in the middle of the field, which leaves Hurst with a chance to settle in as the vertical threat. If he can consistently get behind defenses, Baker Mayfield gets another weapon who can punish single coverage and create explosive plays.
Davis made his NFL name by winning at the catch point and coming through on difficult downfield throws. Hurst flashed similar traits in college, using his size to box out defenders and showing strong ball tracking on deep passes. The next step is the one that usually separates a useful deep threat from a more complete receiver: he’ll need to sharpen his route running and prove he can do more than just run vertical concepts.
If that development comes, the Buccaneers could wind up with a receiver who looks a lot like Davis at his best. For a Tampa Bay offense looking for more explosiveness, that’s exactly the kind of bet worth making.
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