Which player - drafted, undrafted, existing or free agent - will surprise a lot of people with his play this season?
Dennis or Britt at LB? Irving at RB?
ESPN - “Just finished the Bucs’ first day of rookie camp and Jalen McMillan is gonna be super fun to watch. The ball just kept finding him. Had one particularly impressive leaping catch but caught five of five targets, no drops. He said his sprained MCL from last year is 100% now.”
Of the draftees my pick to surprise is Culp. He is a hybrid TE/WR. Coen will design some plays for him and he may end up getting 10 to 20 catches which would be amazing for a 7th round pick who is usually lucky to just make the team.
Of the non-rookie players who might surprise, well it would have to be someone who so far hasn't done that. So I'll pick JTS in his new "joker" wild card role. Perhaps being moved around will give him more opportunities and perhaps he will take a step forward in this third year.
Bucky Irving looks like the draft pick who could be biggest surprise, although I like McMillan & Culp picks almost as much.
Elijah Klein can surprise people because he can push for playing time at left guard when most project him as a backup RG at the NFL level.
Elijah Klein can surprise people because he can push for playing time at left guard when most project him as a backup RG at the NFL level.
Agreed.
I think he may push for the starting gig.
I'd put Tykee on here, but I already think he's going to be a baller.
And, I wouldn't be surprised to see JTS with a contract year mass output.
McMillan
Elijah Klein can surprise people because he can push for playing time at left guard when most project him as a backup RG at the NFL level.
Agreed.
I think he may push for the starting gig.
I'd put Tykee on here, but I already think he's going to be a baller.
And, I wouldn't be surprised to see JTS with a contract year mass output.
all pretty promising.
Seems Bowles could get pretty creative with the DBs
I was just happy we didn't lose a lot of existing players to free agency. That was my biggest and best surprise. I knew we would lose one or two but glad we got what we have. I am excited to see this team still competing after the Brady era.
Not really a surprise but Godwin might have a big year back in his best role. This is Bowles:
”
He’s an inside guy by nature,” Bowles said of Godwin. “He can play outside, but he can make a living inside doing a bunch of things for us. We plan to let him do a lot of things that he does best.”
Elijah Klein can surprise people because he can push for playing time at left guard when most project him as a backup RG at the NFL level.
He played exclusively RG at college. He was in a smaller school. Mauch played LT in college. I think it makes more sense to have Mauch move to LG and leave Klein at his natural position. Moving him to LG will only slow his ability to start this season. Mauch already learned the basics of the G position and moving him back to his natural side may improve him performance
A lot of optimism in here.
JTS will be a non-factor again - he just doesn't have "it", great athlete for the position though.
Klein is a rookie who has good tape and potential to be decent, just don't think he is ready to make that jump to push for a starting job. Maybe if the other options get hurt or just become huge liabilities I can see it.
I think Britt should be poised to have a breakout year as a full-time starter. Its just the way Bowles system is set up for his LB'ers to go downhill and create havoc. I do think he will have issues in coverage though and it'll take Bowles 5-6 games to get him off the field to run dime or sub in Dennis. Whitehead is going to have himself a season too.
Maybe McMillan? Bowles implied he was in lead for WR3
JTS is a prime candidate for a contract year explosion. Nine times out of ten they're Fool's Gold.
