The second week of Bucs OTAs (organized team activities) got going Tuesday morning at the AdventHealth Training Center under partly cloudy skies and an occasional breeze, neither of which did a whole lot to take the edge off of the heat.

Pewter Report’s Matt Matera, Bailey Adams and Adam Slivon were in attendance to cover the action, which was followed by press conferences from Bucs head coach Todd Bowles, cornerback Jamel Dean, linebacker K.J. Britt and guard Cody Mauch. Here are Pewter Report’s observations from Tuesday’s practice.

Same Group Back Together As Bucs OTAs Continued This Week

Bucs RT Tristan Wirfs – Photo by: Cliff Welch/PR

It’s always worth a reminder that OTAs are voluntary, and players aren’t required to show up until mandatory mini-camp (hence the name) rolls around in mid-June. Not to mention, OTAs are open to the media just once a week and there’s nothing stopping a player from not showing up on that day before returning when the media isn’t in attendance.

With all that being said, the same group of players who weren’t present for the start of Bucs OTAs last week once again were missing from Tuesday’s practice. Wide receiver Mike Evans, defensive tackle Vita Vea, outside linebacker Randy Gregory and left tackle Tristan Wirfs were no-shows, and after attending last Tuesday’s practice in street clothes, linebacker Lavonte David wasn’t back on Tuesday.

It’s not like any of the aforementioned absences were unexpected, but Wirfs’ was perhaps the least surprising given the report that emerged last week about his contract negotiations. ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler reported that Wirfs will not be attending OTAs as he is seeking a long-term contract and doesn’t want to risk injury.

Tight end Ko Kieft and rookie quarterback Zack Annexstad were once again among those in attendance for practice but were not participating.

A Tweak To The Bucs’ Offensive Line To Begin Practice

Bucs G Sua Opeta – Photo courtesy of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Without Wirfs, the starting offensive line at last Tuesday’s practice consisted of Justin Skule at left tackle, Sua Opeta at left guard, Robert Hainsey at center, Cody Mauch at right guard and Luke Godeke at right tackle. There was a change to that group as week two of Bucs OTAs began, with Ben Bredeson stepping in at left guard in Opeta’s place.

This is no surprise, of course, as Opeta and Bredeson are expected to battle it out for the starting left guard spot throughout the summer, into training camp and through the preseason. So, with Opeta getting the early looks last week, it was Bredeson getting to line up between Skule and Hainsey to begin Tuesday’s practice.

Speaking of Hainsey, he once again served as the starting center. However, rookie first-round pick Graham Barton also mixed in at center early in the practice, giving starting quarterback Baker Mayfield a chance to take snaps from him. After practice, Mauch – a rookie himself last year – had high praise for the job Barton has done early this summer.

“He’s been great,” Mauch said of Barton. “You can tell he’s taking the role on well. Good vocal leader, I would say, already. Which is great as a rookie, two weeks into it. So, hopefully we can just keep making those small improvements and keep meshing as an O-line, wherever everyone ends up.”

#Bucs RG Cody Mauch says that rookie 1st round pick OL Graham Barton has been taking the role on well. You can already tell he’s a good vocal leader. pic.twitter.com/db3E7jWsyS

— PewterReport 🏴‍☠️ (@PewterReport) May 28, 2024

An Early Look At Tampa Bay’s Kick Return Game

The new kick return format the league introduced this offseason is one of the changes the Bucs (along with the 31 other teams in the league) will be looking to adapt to this summer. New special teams coach Thomas McGaughey has gotten a chance to work on it with his units early in OTAs, and linebacker/key special teamer K.J. Britt mentioned after Tuesday’s practice that adjusting to the new format has been a little weird so far.

Tuesday was also the first chance to see some of the candidates to return kicks and punts for Tampa Bay in 2024. Deven Thompkins has been the primary returner over the last year and a half, and he was in the mix during Tuesday’s practice.

Second-year wide receiver Trey Palmer, who ran a 4.33-second 40-yard dash at last year’s NFL Scouting Combine, rookie running back Bucky Irving, rookie wide receiver Jalen McMillan and third-year running back Rachaad White also got some return reps during the special teams period of Tuesday’s practice.

Deven Thompkins, Jalen McMillan and Trey Palmer receiving kickoffs and punts. Rachaad White took some at the beginning as well. pic.twitter.com/J0A1K3aDCa

— PewterReport 🏴‍☠️ (@PewterReport) May 28, 2024

Bucky Irving and Trey Palmer back getting some more kick return work in. Deven Thompkins remained in the mix as well. pic.twitter.com/5PCIwXlucq

— PewterReport 🏴‍☠️ (@PewterReport) May 28, 2024

Cody Mauch Looks Bigger And Stronger Heading Into Year Two

One of the big areas of focus for second-year right guard Cody Mauch this offseason has been getting stronger and putting on some weight. That was a big topic of conversation after Tuesday’s practice, with head coach Todd Bowles saying Mauch looks bigger this summer.

“Obviously, the biggest thing for Cody is a little bit more strength,” Bowles said. “Obviously, coming in out of college last year, he worked on that in the offseason and he looks bigger. He’s always been smart, he’s always been tough and I think the game has slowed down for him quite a bit. Just look for him to take the next step mentally.”

#Bucs RG Cody Mauch looks pretty big at OTAs. It seems like the offseason program worked pic.twitter.com/cZcBW3ZbEu

— Matt Matera (@matty4_matera) May 28, 2024

Mauch then told the media that he’s put on 10-15 pounds this offseason by introducing some things into his diet and working out in the weight room with Tristan Wirfs and Luke Goedeke, who are known to be the Bucs’ big lifters. Also of note, Mauch said as far as he knows, he’s sticking at right guard. That makes sense given the plan for Graham Barton to play center and Sua Opeta or Ben Bredeson to play left guard, but Mauch also said if he’s asked to switch sides of the line that he can roll with that as it comes.

Who Stood Out In The Bucs Secondary?

It was an encouraging morning of practice for Tampa Bay’s secondary as they look to create more takeaways for the defense next season. To no one’s surprise Antoine Winfield Jr. stood out the most, as his smooth movement was on display in agility and ball drills.  One of his highlights was when he soared in the air to make a one-handed catch – and although he did not haul it in – he was able to tip the ball to himself to make the grab. It was a play only he could make.

Besides the highest-paid defensive back in NFL history picking up where left off, Jordan Whitehead and Zyon McCollum were two other secondary members who had solid practices. For Whitehead, that meant getting active catching passes from each quarterback.

McCollum also made some nice leaping grabs during ball drills, and with general manager Jason Licht ready to see him step up, Jamel Dean has seen him mature and develop a veteran mindset.

“Zyon, he stepped up last year and you could see coming into OTAs that he matured,” Dean said. “You could see he started getting a vet mentality now, so I guess he’s the next man up, but the standard’s still the same.”

Highlights From Bucs OTAs

Bucs ILB SirVocea Dennis – Photo by: Adam Slivon/PR

Perhaps the big highlight of Tuesday’s practice was something of a redemption story for second-year linebacker SirVocea Dennis. After dropping an easy interception in 7-on-7s, he came right back a couple of plays later to pick off a pass that was tipped by Rakim Jarrett. While it was a catchable ball and Jarrett was at fault for it, Dennis still made a good, athletic play to haul in the pass and redeem himself for the interception he had just dropped.

Of course, Dennis is no stranger to interceptions in the summer as he made a strong first impression as a rookie last year with interceptions in both rookie mini-camp and Bucs OTAs.

On the topic of first impressions, rookies Jalen McMillan and Bucky Irving continued to make good ones, with McMillan catching a deep ball from Baker Mayfield during 7-on-7s and Irving putting his good hands on display out of the backfield. McMillan was facing new corner Bryce Hall on the go route, getting the better of him on that play.

Other news and notes consisted of a red zone touchdown from Baker Mayfield to Chris Godwin, tight end Devin Culp dropping a pass and undrafted free agent linebacker Kalen DeLoach breaking up a pass in 7-on-7 drills.