The Tampa Bay Buccaneers will get their first preseason action on Friday, and the opener comes against the New York Jets in East Rutherford, New Jersey. The two teams have already spent the week working against each other in joint practices, and those sessions have been spirited enough to get chippy at times. Now Todd Bowles and his staff get the real thing: game reps under the lights, where a few young players can make their case in a much bigger setting.
Four names stand out as potential surprises in that preseason debut, starting with Bauer Sharp. Tampa Bay used a sixth-round pick on Sharp in the 2026 NFL Draft, betting on a tight end prospect who was still pretty raw.
So far, though, he’s looked the part of a player trending upward. His athleticism has shown up consistently in camp, and he’s already made noise with a catch against the Jets during joint practice.
Sharp is fighting Devin Culp for a roster spot, so Friday matters. He’s still relatively unknown outside Tampa Bay, which means a strong showing in New York could put him on a lot more radars.
Another player who has built real momentum is Garnes, the undrafted free agent out of Arizona. He’s been everywhere in camp, stacking up pass breakups and turning heads with his coverage work.
During the second day of joint practice against the Jets, he added two more breakups to the pile. Garnes has mainly been battling Pepe Williams, whom the Bucs signed last year, but Benjamin Morrison’s absence has opened the door for him to get plenty of reps.
He’s taken advantage. If he can back that up with a sharp game on Friday, or even come away with an interception, that would go a long way for a player who entered the league without hearing his name called.
Then there’s Walker, who has been one of the biggest stories of camp. Tampa Bay drafted him in the fifth round last year, but a torn ACL in training camp wiped out his chance to debut.
Now he finally gets that first real look. Walker has been dominant in practice, winning plenty of pass-rushing reps, and his get-off and moves already look polished for a second-year player.
The one thing he can’t do in camp is finish the play with a sack. That changes in preseason games, and Friday gives him a chance to show exactly why so many people around the team have been talking about him.
If he keeps this up, he could be on a path to making a bigger league-wide impression in 2026.
Patterson is the last name on the list, and his rise has been just as notable in its own way. The Buccaneers brought him in on a tryout during rookie minicamp, liked what they saw, and signed him.
Since then, he’s only strengthened that decision. With Tez Johnson and David Sills among the injured wideouts, Patterson has stepped into a bigger role in camp and made the most of it.
He’s been scoring touchdowns in team periods and showing he can make tough catches in tight windows, even though he had only eight catches last year at Georgia Tech. Camp production only goes so far, though.
Friday will tell the real story. If Patterson carries that form into the game, he could carve out a roster spot against the odds.
In Other News...
Buccaneers Suddenly Face A Preseason QB Decision Against The Jets
The Buccaneers first joint practice with the Jets brought an unwelcome twist to a preseason week that was supposed to be about ramping up for game action. Backup quarterback Jake Browning went down after being rolled up on during the opening session, leaving his status for Tampa Bays first preseason game in question and forcing the team to quickly adjust its quarterback plans.
Todd Bowles said the Buccaneers would turn to second-year quarterback Connor Bazelak if Browning is unable to go, with rookie Jalon Daniels also expected to get on the field. For a team using the preseason to sort out depth and see who can handle live work under pressure, the situation adds a little more urgency to a game that already mattered for evaluation. [Read more 🡒]
Buccaneers Fans Have Every Reason To Mock Carolinas Latest Move
The Panthers added another familiar name to the NFC South mix by signing tight end Darren Waller to a one-year contract, a move that fits Carolinas recent habit of taking low-risk swings on players with real upside. For Buccaneers fans, it is the kind of transaction that invites a little side-eye, especially when it involves a former Pro Bowl talent whose resume still carries more reputation than recent availability.
Waller did find the end zone six times last season with the Dolphins, so the ceiling is still easy to see if he can stay on the field. The problem, as Carolina is well aware by now, is that his recent career has been defined just as much by injuries and limited playing time as by big-game potential, which leaves this latest gamble looking a lot like another hope-based bet in a division that rarely gives out many clean breaks. [Read more 🡒]