Bucs offense still has some key questions to answer ahead of mandatory minicamp despite returning all 11 starters
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers offense is set when it comes to the starting bunch, but there are some questions to answer past the top guys.That's what mandatory minicamp is for – to being the search for answers to said questions. The Bucs hold their camp from Tuesday-Thursday of this week and there will be plenty […]
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers offense is set when it comes to the starting bunch, but there are some questions to answer past the top guys.
That's what mandatory minicamp is for – to being the search for answers to said questions. The Bucs hold their camp from Tuesday-Thursday of this week and there will be plenty to talk about thanks to the fact all three practices will be open to the media.
So, let's go ahead and take a look at some of the things to watch on offense during camp.
1. Wide receivers not named Mike Evans or Chris Godwin
We know Jalen McMillan and Emeka Egbuka are where things begin and both players can see the field at the same time, as McMillan can fill the Bucs' "Z" position and Egbuka can play the X or F (along with the Z).
It gets a bit cloudy after them as there are a few players who can fill the WR4/5/6 roles. Tez Johnson, Sterling Shepard, and Rakim Jarrett are the first three that come to mind and then there's Trey Palmer and Kameron Johnson who headline the "bubble".
This week represents a great start for one of the five above guys to separate themselves from the pack as they fight and claw for one of the final roster spots. Each one has a unique skillset that can help them do just that, too, and it'll be interesting to see how they attack minicamp.
2. Devin Culp's depth chart ascension begins this week
Culp didn't see much action until the final two games of the season, but he really took advantage of the playing time he received. He caught a combined five passes for 88 yards in Weeks 17 and 18, but the impressive feat is four of those five receptions went for first downs and three of the four first downs came in 3rd-and-medium or 3rd-and-long territory.
He showed plenty of athleticism and very good run-after-the-catch ability, as well as a natural feel for finding the defense's soft spot. It was a very encouraging performance that his him in a good spot heading into this offseason.
Culp can certainly climb the depth chart and a strong minicamp will get that on track. Just how high he goes will be the question, as one figures he'll be able to hop Ko Kieft pretty easily (with all due respect) and potentially even eat into some of Payne Durham's playing time.
3. Charlie Heck, Ben Chukwuma and the swing tackle position
You'd think a veteran would be scot-free when it comes to holding down a job against a rookie UDFA, right? Well, not so much.
Heck is serviceable, but the Bucs really like Chukwuma. He's raw, but has a lot of upside and can certainly develop into a good swing tackle with time. It's just a matter of how quickly he can pick everything up and then put it into action on the field.
The job is Heck's to lose, but a strong minicamp can certainly get the ball rolling to where it's a heated competition by the time the pads come on in training camp. That's when we'll really be able to see just what Chuks can do and that's when the reps really matter, but until then, he can still put himself in good position to hit the ground running when all that begins.
4. Interior offensive line depth battles across the board
The Bucs' starting five is all set after extending Ben Bredeson over the offseason, but the depth, especially along the interior is a different topic of conversation.
We've already mentioned the potential battle at the swing tackle position – you can bet there will be head-to-head battles for the backup center and guard spots. Sua Opeta, Jake Majors, and Elijah Klein headline what should be a very interesting run over the next few days and during training camp.
Klein figures to have the lead on everyone else after spending a year in the system and getting his NFL legs under him. If Majors, an undrafted rookie, can show some promise then he'll give the Bucs a true backup center, whereas right now they have guys who can play center if needed. Opeta is a wildcard, as the veteran was expected to challenge for the starting left guard spot before his season ended in training camp. He could provide some very solid depth if he's able to return to form after the ACL injury.
Final Word
The Bucs offense is obviously in a great spot and will be a Top-5 unit if everyone stays healthy and Josh Grizzard isn't a catastrophe as a play-caller. If they can develop some quality depth, then there's zero ceiling when it comes to what this unit will be capable of in 2025.
Bucs Mandatory Minicamp: Predictions and questions, battles, injury updates, notes, practice dates and times
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers and 23 other NFL teams will hold mandatory minicamp this week, marking the point of the offseason where practice and such really matter. The Bucs are in a very good spot heading into camp: They return all 11 starters from last year's riveting offense and they made some key moves that […]
