The Bucs felt that they added a versatile offensive players when they drafted LSU tight end Bauer Sharp in the sixth round. Sharp already made it clear that he doesn’t view himself as a traditional, one-dimensional player. Instead, he’s embracing a do-it-all identity that could make him a valuable weapon for Tampa Bay. While it’s likely his role will come on special teams in his first year, there’s an opportunity to move up the ranks based on the depth at the tight end position.

Sharp bounced around to a couple of different schools during his college career, beginning at Southeastern Louisiana before transferring to bigger schools like Oklahoma and LSU. He showed that he did a little of everything for his teams. He’s a willing blocker, pitched in here and there in the receiving game, and also played some Wildcat quarterback. Sharp had 576 receiving yards and four receiving touchdowns combined between his seasons with the Sooners and Tigers.

Bucs TE Bauer Sharp View Himself As A Swiss Army Knife

“I think I’m one of the most versatile tight ends in the draft. I really do,” Bauer Sharp said after getting drafted. “Just my twitchiness at the top of routes, and I create separation, but also the physicality, the twitch right off the ball to go make a block for a touchdown.”

LSU TE Bauer Sharp – Photo by: IMAGN Images – Stephen Lew

Sharp’s confidence isn’t unfounded. His skill set suggests he is a player capable of lining up all over the formation. It’s a trait that fits well in today’s NFL, where versatility is key to creating mismatches.

“You can put me at fullback, you put me as a ‘Y’ tight end, you can put me as an ‘H’. It really doesn’t matter. I can do it all,” Sharp said. “If you ask me to go run down on kickoff to make a tackle, I’m going to do that as well — all of special teams. I think I’m just a Swiss army knife as they would say.”

That kind of flexibility gives the Bucs options. Whether it’s lining him up in-line, in the backfield, in the slot or split out wide, Sharp’s willingness to embrace multiple roles could help diversify the offense.

“I’m Going To Be Willing To Die For The Block”

What will stand out to Bucs fans about Bauer Sharp is his overall mentality. Stats don’t matter to him, it’s just about winning the game. That became very apparent when he mentioned that he’s going to put it all on the line for his teammates.

Bucs TE Bauer Sharp – Photo by: Stephen Lew – IMAGN Images

“I’m going to be willing to die for the block right off the bat,” Sharp said. “There really isn’t any other words to put it. I’m going to be successful [at blocking]. That’s the nicest way to put it.”

That quote alone will resonate in Tampa Bay’s locker room. The Bucs have long valued physicality at the tight end position, and Sharp’s approach suggests he’s ready to embrace the less glamorous parts of the job. It often determines how quickly rookies earn playing time.

How Much Will Bauer Sharp Play For Bucs?

Many clamored for the Bucs to take a tight end early in the 2026 NFL Draft. With Tampa Bay signing Cade Otton to a new deal this offseason, it was unlikely they were going to find someone that would replace him as a starter.

Bucs TE Bauer Sharp – Photo by: IMAGN Images – Scott Clause

With that said, there was still an opportunity to improve the rest of the room and potentially get an upgrade over second-stringer Payne Durham and third-string tight end Devin Culp. It’s only a prediction, but Sharp has a good chance to surpass Culp on the depth chart and push Durham, who’s in the last year of his contract.

“I would just say I’m a go-getter. I’m going to do anything for my teammates. I’m in love with my teammates, seriously,” Sharp said. “I’m passionate. I’m a little crazy when I put the helmet on, but I’ll do anything for Bucs nation and everybody around me.”