There was not a lot to love with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in 2022.

For many, that is going to be a season to forget, especially when you look at how far that roster fell from its preseason expectations.

The lack of offensive production for such a group was almost jarring, and it was especially concerning to see veterans in important roles that weren't able to make plays on a consistent basis.

With a lot of big names heading out, one area that should look very different is the wide receiver room outside of the top three. 

Mike Evans, Chris Godwin, and Russell Gage are the only guys that look like locks to make the final roster. All of the other spots are essentially up in the air, and that is saying something considering the only other players on the roster at the position are Deven Thompkins and Kaylon Geiger.

You can rest assured that the team is going to target the position hard in the draft and free agency around that time, but it is fair to also assume that Thompkins and Geiger will get a shot to prove themselves.

Thompkins tends to be the guy that gets more of the attention as a likely lock to make the roster based on what he was able to do with so few touches in his rookie season.

There wasn't a lot to really see, but Thompkins did look better than most of his counterparts in return situations and flashed rare moments on offense.

Thompkins finished the season 10.2 yards per punt return and 21.9 yards per kick return, two respectable lines, and was also able to add 58 additional yards of offense on seven touches.

Again, no one is losing their minds of Thompkins based on these numbers, but he was able to put together a very good training camp that shows his remarkable college tape and athletic profile can translate to the NFL, a fact that his few touches in real games pointed towards.

Buccaneers fans probably need to temper their expectations a little, but there is a guy here that Dave Canales use as Swiss army knife as both a runner and a receiver.

One way or another, Thompkins has time on the team and with most of the players and will need to step up if the Bucs hope to turn the corner on their offensive woes of 2022.

It probably won't be without growing pains, but Buccaneers fans should have a fun preseason to look forward to with a developing Deven Thompkins looking like the featured receiver during those games with a mountain to prove.