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About the Author: Adam Slivon
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While Bucs head coach Todd Bowles recently stated that there is one position that may lead to the toughest roster decisions, a close runner-up would be at wide receiver.
Beyond the top three of Mike Evans, Chris Godwin, and Russell Gage, and with Trey Palmer solidifying his case as the fourth wide receiver, it has been a very tight competition for the two remaining spots. It has only gotten tighter after adding another weapon in the quarterback-turned-receiver Cephus Johnson.
Let’s explore just how vast the sea of candidates is.
One Bucs WR Has “Leaped” Above The Rest
Based on the offseason and training camp he has had so far, Deven Thompkins has emerged as the leading nominee to be the fifth wide receiver on the depth chart. Despite standing at just 5-foot-7 and slightly over 150 pounds, he is a stick of dynamite waiting to ignite.
Bucs WR Deven Thompkins – Photo By: Cliff Welch/PR
He came along late last season as the primary returner, but head coach Todd Bowles sees a lot more upside in him than just special teams.
“To be his height, he better have great leaping ability,” Bowles said earlier this month. “That puts him at six feet if he has a 39-inch vertical [laughs]. He does a great job, he’s a very good athlete. We tease him a lot about his weight, but he plays a lot heavier. He’s a very tough guy, he’s a very strong guy, and I like where he’s at.”
Bowles added that Thompkins is on the right development track.
“He is very competitive,” Bowles said. “He got in a little bit last year toward the end. He is not just a punt returner – he is a very good receiver. He plays bigger than his size and we like the things he does from a pattern standpoint. He has outstanding hands and we’re just looking for him to get better and better. He’s starting to make those plays look routine.”
One play that really stood out was highlighted on the Buccaneers’ social media pages earlier in camp.
ARE YOU KIDDING ME?!! 🤯 pic.twitter.com/pDQ1IPqePp
— Tampa Bay Buccaneers (@Buccaneers) August 2, 2023
On another day in camp, Thompkins completely stole the show by impressing with his catch radius. Count quarterback Kyle Trask as a member of his growing fan club.
“I’m definitely still ‘wowed’ every time he makes a catch,” Trask said last week. “He’s like a firecracker – he’s a ball of energy. He’s awesome out here. No matter what, he’s the same player every day, always going 1,000 miles per hour and making those catches kind of on the regular. It’s really impressive and it kind of occurred to me today after he made that crazy catch that this is kind of like what he does. He’s known for attacking the ball and going up and getting whatever comes at him.”
Compared to other bottom-of-depth-chart receivers, Thompkins will see more time on the field based on the dynamic ability he has. Not only can he jump, but he is also lightning quick. His 4.35 speed from his Utah State pro day is only slightly behind Trey Palmer’s 4.33 speed. Expect him on the roster, and for offensive coordinator Dave Canales to scheme getting him the ball in space.
Veteran Bucs WR Vying For A Roster Spot
Another wide receiver that is deserving of some recognition is David Moore. After leading the team in receiving yards in the preseason opener against the Steelers, Moore has a strong case to be the last receiver to make the roster. Perhaps his play has not been highlighted enough, but he has displayed his playmaking ability under Canales during their time in Seattle, and he may be in line to do the same this year in Tampa Bay.
Bucs WR David Moore – Photo by: Cliff Welch/PR
“His contact balance – so what I am saying is, anytime someone is leaning on him, ball is in the air, he really does not get affected because he is so strong,” Canales said of Moore in training camp. “Then the thing we have not really been able to showcase that he can do is, he is special with the ball. So, a lot of perimeter screens, jet sweep type of things on the perimeter, he can really make yards, in different ways as well.
“He was a solid guy for us in Seattle, he just got banged around a bit with some injuries and some different situations in some places. He came in here with a brand-new start, a fresh attitude and he kind of had a little bit of an edge because he knew some of our terms going into camp. I love him, he is just a great guy. He is great for the room. He is fun to be around, and I am glad he is here.”
With a fresh start, Moore has made the most of it so far. In what is a young receiver room, he is also a veteran of sorts at 28 years old. His experience will serve him well as he competes for a roster spot, but ultimately it will come down to performance. If he has “Moore” in store, he could be a sleeper to make the initial roster.
There’s A Handful Of UDFAs Making A Strong Case
What about the remaining crop of undrafted rookie receivers? Rakim Jarrett has been the best of the bunch, although he was sidelined in the preseason opener. Otherwise, he has made a strong push to be on the 53-man roster by making contested catches in practices and finding a way to turn it up a notch with the ball in his hands.
Bucs WR Kade Warner – Photo by: Cliff Welch/PR
Besides Jarrett, other guys looking to make a name for themselves include Kade Warner, Ryan Miller, Taye Barber, and the aforementioned Cephus Johnson. Second-year receiver Kaylon Geiger also remains in the fold, and he can go up and get it as well.
Offensive coordinator Dave Canales knows a thing or two about receivers, having been a wide receivers coach for the Seahawks from 2010-2017. He thinks highly of the guys keeping their names in the hat.
“Rakim Jarrett, he is doing great, Canales said recently. “He has a real skill set, you know? He has some power, too and some things that he can do with the ball, as well, which I am excited to see. Shoot, I will go down the whole list as well, I love these guys. Kaylon Geiger [Sr.] can really just drop down and stop on a dime. He showed some ability there. Kade [Warner] has a great feel for just getting open.
Great pass on a roll out from Kyle Trask to hit Kade Warner in the end zone for a TD. Put it over the defenders. #GoBucs
— PewterReport 🏴☠️ (@PewterReport) August 13, 2023
“Ryan Miller has done a fantastic job just doing what he is supposed to do. He makes big plays. He played tight end in college too, so he has a… contact balance and play strength that we are excited about. Then Taye Barber, he is still catching up a little bit with the system, but he will have flashes where when you see his ability. He is a really natural slot player, a really natural receiver who we are excited about as well.”
With 12 receivers currently in Bucs’ camp, it makes for constant competition. Each pass thrown their way is a chance to make a play and impress. So far, most of them have taken the opportunity in stride. It should make for an interesting position battle to watch over the next few weeks. This one will come down to the wire, which will be the preseason finale against the Ravens in two weeks.
