There’s always the hope that members of a team’s rookie draft class can contribute right away or at least during their initial season. The Bucs had that in droves last year from defensive tackle Calijah Kancey, the team’s first-round pick, overcoming his early calf injury, third-round outside linebacker Yaya Diaby leading the team with 7.5 sacks, and Cody Mauch, a second-rounder, starting at right guard from day one, and even later-round picks like wide receiver Trey Palmer having splash moments.

With a draft class this year that boasts center Graham Barton, edge rusher Chris Braswell,  defensive back Tykee Smith, wide receiver Jalen McMillan and running back Bucky Irving as some of Tampa Bay’s earlier draft picks, there is a possibility for a repeat performance. It obviously would be great for these players to help out the Bucs immediately, but what if they could also be considered the best rookies at their position? Do any of these players have a chance of making the All-Rookie team this year?

The Likeliest Bucs Player To Make The All-Rookie Team

Chad Reuter of NFL.com came up with his projections for who will be on the 2024 NFL All-Rookie team. The only Bucs player on it ended up being the Bucs’ first-round pick, Graham Barton. Here’s what Reuter had to say about him.

Bucs C Graham Barton – Photo by: Cliff Welch/PR

“The Buccaneers landed the best center in the draft, a much-needed addition for a team that wants to win a fourth straight NFC South title and make a deeper playoff run this time around. Barton can play any spot on the offensive line despite his average length. Also, he possesses the intelligence to handle calling protections and making adjustments in the middle of the line. There are many accolades in his future, including a spot on the 2024 All-Rookie Team.”

Barton likely has the quickest route to making the All-Rookie team. He was the first center taken off the board and the only one drafted in the first round. There was another center taken in the second round at 51st overall with Zach Frazier by the Steelers. Then Tanor Bortilini was drafted in Round 4 with the 117th overall pick by the Colts.

Half the battle, especially for offensive linemen, is just getting playing time initially. The Bucs know that Barton is going to start at center unless something drastic happens during training camp. There’s only so many other rookie centers that Barton has to compete with, thus giving him a legitimate shot.

That’s also what makes it much more difficult for wide receiver Jalen McMillan, who immediately takes a back seat to Mike Evans and Chris Godwin on Tampa Bay’s depth chart, while other receivers taken in earlier rounds will likely the first or second options on their respective teams. Bucky Irving may have a chance as well given that it’s just Rachaad White ahead of him, but the rotation of the running backs for the Bucs won’t be known until the season gets going.

Bucs’ Defensive Dark Horse Candidate

The Bucs went heavier on the offensive side of the ball for this year’s draft with only Chris Braswell and Tykee Smith picked for the defensive side. Braswell has his own competition to worry about in terms of just cracking the lineup at outside linebacker. Presumably, Yaya Diaby will start on one side of the defensive line, but Braswell has to beat out Joe Tryon-Shoyinka, Anthony Nelson, Markees Watts, Jose Ramirez and possibly Randy Gregory for the other starting spot. That’s before even considering all the high-end edge rushers that were picked earlier that will likely start for their respective teams.

Bucs DB Tykee Smith – Photo by: Cliff Welch/PR

Don’t sleep on Smith for having a chance to make the All-Rookie team, though. He’ll have to earn it, but there’s a legitimate chance that he can win the Bucs’ starting nickel corner job ahead of Christian Izien and Tavierre Thomas. Head coach and defensive play-caller Todd Bowles also loves versatility and coming up with different schemes so the chance that Bowles lines up Smith at safety even with Antoine Winfield Jr. and Jordan Whitehead on at the same time is possible.

Smith has excellent instincts and great attributes to his game. He’s physical, can cover, and also will blitz off the line of scrimmage. That can lead to him filling up his stats in several areas instead of just one or two columns.

The NFL does have a spot for nickel corner on the All-Rookie team, which was won by Detroit’s Brian Branch last season. Branch was a second-round pick, so it’s not out of the realm of possibility that a third-rounder like Smith could win it, too. If he makes the starting roster in the slot, it would not be surprising to see Smith amongst the best rookies in the league.