The Bucs will open joint practices with the Miami Dolphins on Wednesday. These practices will culminate in the team’s first preseason game of the year on Saturday. And while head coach Todd Bowles has already said his starters won’t play in the game, that does not mean that we cannot start to glean things about the team throughout the week. One position group that will have an opportunity to really test its abilities are the Bucs wide receivers.

Plenty Of Players, Limited Roster Spots

Pewter Report has given you updates on how well the Bucs’ receiving group has performed thus far. We know the top of the Bucs wide receiver depth chart will feature Mike Evans, Chris Godwin, Julio Jones and Russell Gage.

Behind those players is a deep group of players vying for 2-3 spots. Scotty Miller, Breshad Perriman, Tyler Johnson, Deven Thompkins, Jaelon Darden, Cyril Grayson, Jr., Jerreth Sterns, Kameron Brown, Kaylon Geiger and Vyncint Smith will all have opportunities to separate themselves from the rest of the group. The question is which ones will seize that opportunity?

Dolphins Boast A Talented Corner Room

This week will be a big test. The Dolphins sport one of the NFL’s best cornerback duos in Xavien Howard and Byron Jones. Howard is a three-time Pro Bowler and made first team All Pro in 2020 on the back of a 10-interception season. Jones, a former Pro Bowler himself, can lay claim to one of the best No. 2 corners in the game. But he’s still recovering from injuries from last season and started the year on the PUP list.

Behind those two the Dolphins have a talented cast of depth. Nik Needham has developed into a solid backup. Noah Igbinoghene is a former first-round draft pick. Now he hasn’t panned out to his draft status. But he still shows physical traits that should make him a tough matchup for Tampa Bay’s receivers.

Miami has some good trio of safeties too in Brandon Jones, Jevon Holland and Eric Rowe. This group of defenders might give the Bucs receivers all they can handle in coverage.

Tampa Bay’s pass catchers who can create separation and make “grimy” catches will start to develop the inside track towards securing themselves a roster spot.