Buccaneers rookies and second-year players highlight those who’ve seen their stock soar after the first week of training camp
The Buccaneers are looking for answers in training camp and these guys have provided some during the first week.
We are officially one week into Tampa Bay Buccaneers training camp that’s consisted of four non-padded practices, two padded practices, and an off day. The Bucs are off Wednesday after three straight practices that included back-to-back sessions in pads.
So far, there has been plenty of action and the interesting part is a lot of the production that’s been reported on has stemmed from the Bucs’ younger players. Sure, Baker Mayfield and Mike Evans and other vets are out there showing out, themselves. There’s a bit of a youth movement, so to speak, in the first week and it’s been fun to monitor.
So, with that being said, let’s go ahead and talk about the guys whose stock is soaring after one week of Buccaneers training camp.
Buccaneers players whose stock is soaring after the first week of training camp
Basically the entire Buccaneers secondary
Ideally, this topic targets individuals, but this article would be nothing but defensive backs if we dissected the group on a name-by-name basis. That’s how much the unit has stood out over the first week.
Antoine Winfield Jr. got things started off with a bang by nabbing two interceptions on Day 1 and Bryce Hall joined in on the fun with a pick-six of his own. After that, it’s been nothing but a game of name-your-defensive-back when it comes to guys making plays.
Outside of the above, the names that have stood out the most are Kindle Vildor, J.J. Roberts, Jacob Parrish, Benjamin Morrison, and Christian Izien. In fact, Todd Bowles already has Izien on the 53-man roster and he stated that publicly after Day 5’s practice ended. He also gave Vildor rave reviews and it sounds like there’s a real chance he makes this team, despite the CB room being a crowded one.
“[Vildor] takes very [few] reps and takes great notes. He understands something one time when you tell him,” said Bowles. “He can play either side, he can play nickel [cornerback]. He’ll be valuable on [special] teams, hopefully. To have a guy that’s a jack of all trades and can do that, it’s important for him trying to make the team.
“He does a lot of those things. He does everything right. You don’t ever notice him making a big splash, but when you look up, he’s always in the right place and that’s important.”
Just about every defensive back has made multiple big plays at this point, making already-heated battles even hotter heading into the second week. That should really help a Bucs secondary that’s looking to bounce back from a tough 2024 campaign.
C Jake Majors
This spot was initially reserved for RB Josh Williams, but he was sidelined Tuesday night with an undisclosed injury. The severity is unknown but his injury, combined with D.J. Williams’ injury (he’s now missed three straight practices) has the Bucs in a spot where they might need to bring in help.
“Depending on how long they’re out, we’re going to need to address it because we’re kind of short back there now.,” Bowles told reporters after Tuesday night’s practice.
Back to Majors: Per FOX Sports’ Greg Auman, Majors has ran with the 2s through a large porition of training camp, which is huge for the UDFA. Not only is he getting work with the primary backups – he’s staying there. Meaning, he’s showing the consistency and stacking days that help players make a roster.
He’s the one true backup center the Bucs have, too. Right now, it’s safe to say Majors’ stock is through the roof.
TE Devin Culp
Culp has a lot of people excited for what he can do in 2025. So far, he’s carried every bit of momentum over from the 2024 season, which is why those who follow the team closely won’t be surprised/will be excited that he’s on this list.
“Devin has taken a lot of steps,” Mayfield told reporters after the second training camp practice. “He is a guy that is extremely athletic for his size. He can really, really run. Just being able to have a guy like that, I mean, he is extremely trustworthy. . .
“. . . And having an athletic guy like Dev, to stretch the field at the tight end position, creates mismatch problems. If you want to line up a linebacker on him, he can outrun you. So, you are going to have to take a safety out of that. That kind of opens the spot up for everybody else. It is great to have a guy like that.”
Josh Grizzard wants to throw the ball more downfield and Culp can certainly do that, whether it’s directly or indirectly. As Mayfield mentioned, he can be a big mismatch in the seam/middle of the field, or, he could potentially free up others to make big plays downfield.
It’s going to be a lot of fun tracking his progress over the next month.
WR Emeka Egbuka
The Buccaneers first-round rookie has shined ever since his name was called at No. 19 overall and it’s only gotten better one week into training camp.
From his route running to the growing chemistry with Mayfield, Egbuka is doing all the right things and using the extra reps and opportunities that come with Chris Godwin’s absence to his advantage. He’s made big plays in every single practice, so far, and doesn’t look to be slowing down anytime soon.
“It’s been great. It’s been a learning curve for sure – an adjustment to this heat, to the elements,” Egbuka told reporters on Monday. “We know down the road if we keep practicing the way that we are right now it’s going to turn into an advantage for us come the season time. We’re staying the course. For me, it’s been a challenge but all the right things are happening now – making mistakes now so I don’t have to make them later and learning how to thrive with the guys and create that chemistry.”
Egbuka’s development is not only great news for him, personally, but it’s great for the Bucs offense. Especially when you boil it down to the passing attack. We still don’t know if Godwin will be ready for Week 1 or even after that. Having Egbuka in his stead should help offset the negative impact to the point where the Bucs’ passing attack is still one of the league’s best.
EDGE Chris Braswell
According to reports, the second-year pass rusher has gotten off to a great start. It’s already beneficial enough in its own right, but it becomes even more so after factoring in the loss of rookie fourth-rounder David Walker, who tore his ACL on Day 3 of Buccaneers training camp.
“He’s playing faster. He’s more comfortable in the scheme,” Bowles told reporters Sunday. “I think he’s gotten a little bit leaner – if not by weight, by muscle. He’s coming off the ball a lot faster and he’s using his hands. Him and Yaya [Diaby] have been tied at the hip this offseason, so that’s been good to see.”
Braswell’s got all the physical tools to become a productive pass rusher in the NFL, it’s just about putting it all together mentally. It’s always hard for players to do that as a rookie – hell, even Jayden Daniels had it tough no matter how good he looked in Year 1. The jump to Year 2 should allow things to slow down for Braswell and if he can take that next step then the Bucs’ pass rush will be in good shape.
