Welcome to SR’s Fab 5 – my weekly insider column on the Bucs that features five things that are on my mind. SR’s Fab 5 is now a quicker read, but still packs a punch. Enjoy!

The 2024 NFL Draft is less than two weeks away, but before the Bucs welcome in a new class of rookies, let’s discuss where the players from the last two drafts must improve this offseason to keep Tampa Bay moving forward toward another Super Bowl.

FAB 1. Where Tampa Bay’s Starters From 2023 Draft Must Improve

“We want to kick ass every year in the draft,” said Bucs general manager Jason Licht at a pre-draft press conference on Thursday. “There are some years you’re going to depend on them a little bit more, like we did last year. We’re going to depend on this class, too. We’re hoping to get some players that can come in and contribute and help us right away, like last year with Calijah [Kancey], and Yaya [Diaby], and Cody [Mauch] and Trey [Palmer]. We’re hoping for that.

“It doesn’t always work out that way – sometimes it takes a little bit longer. I think every year the patience from the fans and from everybody gets a little bit [thinner]. They want players to become All-Pros by their second game and it used to be that it would take two years. We also want the players to contribute right away. But, I think every year, you kind of approach it the same in that you’re trying to get the right guys.”

Perhaps no team has relied on the draft to find starters more than Tampa Bay over the past two seasons. In the last two draft classes, Licht and the Bucs have drafted eight starters, which is an incredible number – especially because those draft picks have helped the team win the NFC South championship over the past two seasons.

But in order for the Bucs to take the next step and advance further in the playoffs and develop into a legitimate Super Bowl contender once again, Licht and head coach Todd Bowles need players in these two draft classes to continue to ascend. Tampa Bay needs some players to go from starters to stars, and for some backups to develop into starting-caliber players in 2024.

In this week’s SR’s Fab 5, we’ll take a look at each of the Buccaneers from the last two draft classes and reveal what they have to do this year to take the next step in their development.

Let’s start with the starters who have emerged from the 2023 draft class. I’ve taken the time to talk to Bucs coaches and scouts – and even the players themselves – to reveal what the players need to work on as Tampa Bay’s official offseason program kicks off on Monday with strength and conditioning.

2023 First-Round Pick DT Calijah Kancey

Bucs DT Calijah Kancey – Photo By: Cliff Welch P/R

At 6-foot, 280 pounds, Kancey’s frame is just about maxed out. While Kancey’s game is built on speed and quickness rather than size, he does need to get stronger to hold up against double teams and elite guards. Continuing to develop his lower body strength will help him anchor at the point of attack in the run game.

With Tampa Bay’s first-round pick missing virtually all of training camp, the preseason and the first four games of the season, diving even deeper into Todd Bowles’ playbook and marrying that up by watching his own game film last year wouldn’t hurt. There is a chance that Bowles could move Kancey all across the line to find some favorable matchups, so Kancey must be ready for that and execute in some of the defensive mastermind’s exotic looks.

Additionally, honing his technique from all the days of individual drills he missed due to his calf strain would be beneficial. Kancey came to Tampa Bay with a good set of pass rushing moves, but adding to his arsenal will help him become a double-digit sacker – perhaps as early as 2024.

2023 Second-Round Pick RG Cody Mauch

Bucs RG Cody Mauch – Photo by: Cliff Welch/PR

Mauch had his share of ups and downs during a challenging rookie season, which saw him move from left tackle at North Dakota State to right guard in Tampa Bay. The 6-foot-6, 303-pounder needs to become a more consistent player down-in and down-out, quarter-in and quarter-out, game-in and game-out.

That will come with film study this offseason and working on his footwork and his hand placement, which was erratic at times. Mauch will be learning a new offense this offseason, but there will be some similar concepts between what Dave Canales ran last year and what Liam Coen’s playbook calls for.

The biggest thing Mauch can do is hit the weight room and transform his body from that of an athletic tackle to one that looks like a guard. That means developing his thighs, hamstrings, calves, hips and core to get better drive off the ball in the run game and anchor better in pass protection.

2023 Third-Round Pick OLB YaYa Diaby

Bucs OLB YaYa Diaby and Falcons QB Desmond Ridder – Photo by: USA Today

Hard work, a high motor and really using his physical gifts to his advantage allowed Diaby to supplant Joe Tryon-Shoyinka as a starter midway through the season. Diaby wound up leading the Bucs in sacks with 7.5, but had a disappointing 7.5% pass rush win rate.

By comparison, Tryon-Shoyinka finished with 11.7% and Shaq Barrett led all starters with a 15.2% rate. Learning the chess game that edge rushers must play against offensive tackles and being able to set up moves with film study will be key this offseason.

Diaby also wanted to work on his flexibility this offseason as well as his lateral agility. Known for his 4.53 straight line speed, Diaby wants to be able to be able to better bend the arc and win the edge against tackles. That will help him boost his sack total and increase his pass rush win rate percentage, leading to more pressures in 2024.

FAB 2. How The Reserves From Bucs’ 2023 Draft Can Ascend

The Bucs were able to have three starters emerge from their 2023 draft class – four if you count Trey Palmer, who became the team’s No. 3 wide receiver when Russell Gage went down in training camp with a torn ACL. With Tampa Bay poised to draft another receiver, what does Palmer have to do to keep his WR3 role? And what do the team’s Day 3 picks from a year ago have to do to see more playing time? Let’s find out.

2023 Fifth-Round ILB SirVocea Dennis

Bucs ILB SirVocea Dennis – Photo by: Cliff Welch/PR

Dennis was a dynamo at times in practice during the offseason, recording three pick-sixes between mini-camps and training camp and showing off real promise in coverage after being primarily used as a blitzing linebacker at Pitt, where he racked up 15 sacks as a three-year starter. But Dennis didn’t play like he practiced and couldn’t convert what happened at One Buc Place during the week to game day.

He admitted to being nervous for his first preseason game last year and simply didn’t play well. The same thing happened in Dennis’ first real action on defense at San Francisco and again the following week at Indianapolis. He played … but didn’t make plays.

Devin White’s departure has opened up a competition at middle linebacker. K.J. Britt has the lead based on experience, but Dennis, who is a very cerebral player, will also be in the mix. He’s just got to let it rip on the field, trust in his football I.Q. and make plays.

2023 Fifth-Round TE Payne Durham

Bucs TEs Payne Durham and Cade Otton – Photo by: Cliff Welch/PR

The Bucs will be using far fewer two-tight end sets this year in Liam Coen’s offense. That puts even more pressure on Durham to earn playing time, as he’s essentially got to beat out starter Cade Otton to see regular action. Durham worked his way up to TE2 at the end of his rookie season because he proved to be a better, more reliable receiver than Ko Kieft.

Now he needs to take the next step and become a better blocker in 2024. That means hitting the weight room, adding some size and getting stronger to hold up better at the line of scrimmage.

Durham is not very fleet of foot, but anything he can do to work on his agility and quickness this offseason – anything that can help him separate from defenders and run cleaner, crisper routes – would be a worthy endeavor. Spending a bunch of time developing a rapport with Baker Mayfield during OTAs would also prove to be beneficial.

2023 Sixth-Round Pick CB Josh Hayes

Bucs CB Josh Hayes – Photo by: Cliff Welch/PR

Hayes became a stud special teams player as a rookie and exceled as a gunner. The Kansas State product actually led the team with 14 special teams tackles – four more than special teams ace K.J. Britt. Unless something radically changes, Hayes will likely be in the mix for one of the gunner positions again in 2024.

Hayes played cornerback, nickel and safety in college and the Bucs tried him at nickel during the offseason, training camp and the preseason. Christian Izien, an undrafted free agent, beat Hayes out for the starting job and he was relegated to a backup role on defense. Behind the scenes, Hayes was moved to outside cornerback, and all indications are that is where he will be trained this offseason.

At 6-foot, 190 pounds with 4.4 speed, Hayes enough size to play outside and provide depth there. How high he can climb up the depth chart will depend on his technique and understanding of the defense because he has the toughness and competitiveness to succeed outside. Diving into the playbook and studying film this offseason will be key for Hayes.

2023 Sixth-Round Pick WR Trey Palmer

Bucs WR Trey Palmer – Photo by: USA Today

Palmer benefitted from the natural elevation that took place last year when Russell Gage was lost for the year due to a torn ACL in August. He was thrust into the WR3 role as much out of necessity as it was out of merit. While Palmer only had three drops on the season, according to Pro Football Focus, he did have three fumbles. So working on ball security this offseason would be a good idea.

Palmer was also penalized five times as a rookie, which was the most for any Bucs skill position player. The former Nebraska star was flagged for two false starts and three holding calls. Working on better run blocking technique would still allow Palmer to be a force on the perimeter, but not have any big runs to the outside called back.

Palmer and Baker Mayfield had trouble connecting at times last year, especially down the field. Making sure he gets plenty of reps on deep shots with Tampa Bay’s starting quarterback this offseason would go a long way in helping Palmer put his 4.33 speed to good use.

2023 Sixth-Round Pick OLB Jose Ramirez

Bucs OLB Jose Ramirez – Photo by: Cliff Welch/PR

Ramirez was the only 2023 draft pick who didn’t make the 53-man roster last year. He made the mistake of reporting for rookie mini-camp overweight, as he weighed 242 pounds at the NFL Scouting Combine and showed up to Tampa Bay weighing 262 pounds.

That slowed him down in training camp as he worked to shed some weight and made him susceptible to injury. Ramirez missed the final two preseason games after suffering a hamstring injury in the preseason opener. That likely cost him a shot at making the roster as undrafted free agent Markees Watts stayed healthy and impressed the team.

Ramirez now weighs 252, which is a better weight for him, but he still needs to work on his body. Even at the end of the 2023 season he looked like a player who didn’t spend enough time in the weight room as the difference between his physique and Watts’ was stark. Ramirez needs to add strength to better defend the run and add more power to his pass rush.

FAB 3. Undrafted Free Agents In 2023 Can Continue To Make Their Mark

The success of the Bucs’ 2023 draft class was further enriched with the play of two undrafted free agents who stood out as rookies. Both could see quite a bit of playing time with a strong offseason in 2024.

2023 Undrafted Free Agent NCB Christian Izien

Bucs NCB Christian Izien – Photo by: USA Today

Izien beat out Dee Delaney and fellow rookie Josh Hayes for the right to start at the team’s nickelback position. The 5-foot-8, 197-pound Izien, who played safety and nickel at Rutgers, came to Tampa Bay with a short, yet stout build in the mold of Antoine Winfield Jr. and Jordan Whitehead. His strength combined with 4.41 speed and a 41.5-inch vertical made him a sure tackler as a rookie.

Izien shot out of the gate with two interceptions in the first two games, but didn’t pick off another pass the rest of the season and only forced one fumble during his initial NFL season. He needs to become more of a playmaker in 2024 or risk losing his starting job this season.

The Bucs added veteran Tavierre Thomas this offseason in free agency and he has more experience playing in the slot as Houston’s nickel last year. Not only does Izien need to make more plays on the ball, he must do everything – cover and tackle – a little better to fend of Thomas in camp.

2023 Undrafted Free Agent OLB Markees Watts

Bucs OLB Markees Watts – Photo by: Cliff Welch/PR

Watts made the team due to his athletic ability and the ability to rush the passer that he demonstrated in training camp and the preseason. After giving fits to both Luke Goedeke and Tristan Wirfs in practice, Watts was elevated to the active roster later in the season, where he recorded a sack.

Watts’ 23.1% pass rush win rate was the best of any defensive lineman on the Bucs roster last year. Just for some context on how good of a number that is, Shaq Barrett was next at 15.2%. It was borderline criminal that he was used so sparingly down the stretch in pass rushing situations. Incredibly well-built at 6-foot-1, 250 pounds, Watts has plenty of strength, speed and athleticism.

The work he needs to put in this offseason is in the classroom, continuing to learn the intricacies of Todd Bowles’ playbook when it comes to executing stunts and getting to the proper landmarks when dropping in coverage. That’s what kept him off the field last year. When Watts was on the field, Bowles was limited in the defensive plays he could call. That can’t happen again this year.

FAB 4. Where Bucs’ Starters From 2022 Draft Can Get Better

Tampa Bay’s 2023 draft class wasn’t the only recent crop of players that saw immediate action. There were plenty of rookie starters from the 2022 class as well. Now entering their third year with the Bucs, let’s take a look at where these players need to continue to improve to elevate their status – or keep hold of their starting roles.

2022 Second-Round Pick DT Logan Hall

Bucs DT Logan Hall – Photo by: USA Today

Hall, the team’s top pick two years ago, could be following Joe Tryon-Shoyinka out the door after this season if he doesn’t start making an impact. Drafted to replace Ndamukong Suh and bring more athleticism and pass rush to the defensive line, Hall didn’t start as a rookie and the team was so unimpressed that it spent a first-round pick on another defensive tackle, Calijah Kancey, to essentially replace him the following year.

Hall became a starter last year ahead of aging veteran Will Gholston and next to Kancey and Vita Vea in Tampa Bay’s 3-4 defensive front. In fact, he started in the Bucs’ four-man front in nickel defense in place of the injured Kancey during the first month of the season. But Hall has only been adequate in run defense, and the pass rush he was expected to bring hasn’t materialized.

In his third offseason in Tampa Bay, Hall needs to do several things. He needs to hit the weight room even harder and get stronger and continue to add size to get over 300 pounds. Hall also needs to have a greater sense of urgency on the field. He needs to make more plays and play like his hair is on fire. This is a critical season for Hall and he needs to recognize that, put some pressure on himself and rise to the occasion.

2022 Second-Round Pick RT Luke Goedeke

Bucs RT Luke Goedeke – Photo by: Cliff Welch/PR

Goedeke is one of the best redemption stories in Tampa Bay. Miscast as a left guard during a terrible rookie season, Goedeke was moved back to right tackle, which is where he played at Central Michigan, and flourished in his second season. Goedeke was not only good, but he was great at times, especially in the run game where his mauling style of play was showcased.

With a full NFL season at right tackle under his belt, Goedeke needs to work on his agility and flexibility this offseason. He’s plenty strong, as he lives in the weight room and has definitely earned his “Luke The Lifter” moniker. But working on his footwork, especially in pass protection, will greatly help. Goedeke surrendered 40 QB pressures last year, including five sacks, according to Pro Football Focus. Quicker feet will help cut those numbers down in 2024.

Goedeke also needs to work on his technique when it comes to hand placement and demonstrate better concentration at the line of scrimmage. He was the most penalized Bucs player last year with 13 infractions, including five false starts and eight holding calls – three of which were declined. That number needs to be cut in half this season.

2022 Third-Round Pick RB Rachaad White

Bucs RB Rachaad White – Photo by: USA Today

The Bucs moved on from Leonard Fournette last year and put some blind faith in White that he could be a bellcow replacement. That move paid off as White was just 10 yards short of his first 1,000-yard rushing season. He scored six touchdowns, but his 3.6-yard average was underwhelming. Where White really exceled was as a receiver out of the backfield, catching 64 passes for 549 yards (8.6 avg.) and three touchdowns.

While White topped 1,500 all-purpose yards and scored nine touchdowns last year, there is plenty of room for improvement. White will be learning his second offense as there will be some subtle changes with Liam Coen taking over for Dave Canales as Tampa Bay’s play-caller. He’ll need to absorb the playbook to eliminate the hesitancy he often showed last year running the ball, especially early in the season.

White needs to work on his burst this offseason with more explosive drills so that he can run with a greater sense of urgency through the line of scrimmage this year. At times, he was too patient and that cost him with too many minimal runs or runs for no gain. Working on his short-area quickness and marrying that with a complete understanding of the blocking scheme should help White become a more urgent, productive runner in 2024.

2022 Fourth-Round Pick TE Cade Otton

Bucs TE Cade Otton – Photo by: Cliff Welch/PR

Otton was thrust into the role of starting tight end last year after Cam Brate’s departure. As a second-year player, Otton got the job by default because he was the most experienced tight end and the team’s best option. Otton took a slight step forward as a receiver last year, doubling his touchdown production to four scores and essentially becoming the leading receiver in the postseason with 13 catches for 154 yards (11.8 avg.) and a touchdown.

But Otton regressed as a blocker, and it didn’t look like he hit the weight room hard enough after his rookie season. He needs to continue to add upper body and lower body strength this offseason and really work on his technique with new tight ends coach Justin Peelle. Otton can no longer be a liability in the run game.

The fact that the Bucs will play fewer two-tight end sets in Liam Coen’s offense should actually help Otton. He played over 90% of the snaps last year as the team’s starting tight end and rarely came off the field, which speaks to his conditioning. But Otton playing fewer snaps with Payne Durham subbing in more often in the team’s three-receiver sets should allow the third-year tight end to be fresher throughout the game and throughout the season.

2022 Fourth-Round Pick P Jake Camada

Bucs P Jake Camarda – Photo by: Cliff Welch/PR

One of Jason Licht’s best draft picks has actually been Camarda in terms of value. Criticized at the time for drafting a punter in the fourth round, Camarda was an instant starter of course, and there is value in finding a starter on Day 3 – at any position. It certainly helped that he showed off his booming leg and Pro Bowl potential from the start as a rookie.

Camarda’s second year started off his strong, but he battled some inconsistency near the end of the season with some shorter, inaccurate punts. If he wants to be a Pro Bowler, he needs to find season-long consistency with the right mental and physical approach.

The other aspect of his game that will need some work is his kickoffs. With the new kickoff rule penalizing touchbacks, Camarda will have to work on kicking shorter kickoffs but with increased accuracy and placement. This could very well be his primary offseason focus as Tampa Bay needs to excel in this area in 2024.

FAB 5. It’s Rise Or Fall From These Reserves From Bucs’ 2022 Draft

Tampa Bay’s 2022 draft class was so successful that nearly every member of it occupied a starting role. Only two players haven’t become true starters, but that could change in 2024 with a strong offseason.

2022 Fifth-Round Pick CB Zyon McCollum

Bucs CB Zyon McCollum Photo By: Cliff Welch P/R

The Bucs love McCollum’s athleticism and length, and after spending his first two years as CB3 on the depth chart, he’s set to start opposite Jamel Dean with the trading of Carlton Davis III. McCollum proved he was ready last year when he actually out-snapped both Davis and Dean due to their injuries.

For most of the season, McCollum was actually the best cornerback in terms of opposing QB’s completion percentage and he didn’t give up his first touchdown until late December. But where McCollum needs to step up is intercepting the ball. He dropped an easy end zone INT on Christmas Eve versus Jacksonville and really needs to be more aggressive in coverage and take more chances to make plays on the ball.

McCollum will face a challenge from newcomer Bryce Hall, who has more experience, for the right to replace Davis. He can’t be timid and cautious in coverage and play not to lose. McCollum needs to mentally own the starting role and go out and win the job by being confident and aggressive in coverage and picking off some passes in practice.

2022 Sixth-Round Pick TE Ko Kieft

Bucs TE Ko Kieft – Photo By: Cliff Welch/PR

Kieft saw a decent amount of playing time as a rookie because of his blocking prowess. He’s never emerged as much of a receiving threat, but he was drafted to be a blocker in the running game. The problem is that Kieft regressed as a blocker last year as the team’s TE2 and he lost more playing time to rookie Payne Durham as a result.

Kieft is now TE3 on the depth chart, and that’s problematic given that there will be far fewer two-tight end sets in Liam Coen’s offense. What Kieft must work on this offseason is his hands and route-running ability. He’ll get a fresh opportunity to prove himself to a new offensive coordinator and a new position coach in Justin Peelle, and can no longer be considered a liability in the passing game.

Also, with Kieft being drafted for his ability to block, he needs to work on everything pertaining to his craft – strength, hand placement, leverage, footwork and technique – and get stronger at the point of attack in the running game. If he’s going to carve out a role as a blocking tight end he needs to be a dominant run blocker and prove that to his new coaches this offseason and into training camp when the pads come on.