Intriguing Rookie Storylines

The Most Intriguing Rookie Storylines at Tampa Bay Buccaneers OTAs By Luke Easterling , Featured Columnist May 18, 2015 Wilfredo Lee/Associated Press Next week, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers will move on to the next phase of their offseason program, bringing the entire team together for organized team activities (OTAs), which will run from May 26th through June 14th.This year more than most, rookies will have a significant impact on Tampa Bay's makeup, from a new franchise quarterback to potentially having two new starters on the offensive line out of this year's draft class. Even some of their later-round picks will have a chance to challenge for starting roles, and undrafted free agents will try to make a big enough impression to land a roster spot in the fall.The NFL truly has no offseason, and this three-week stretch of team workouts is just the next step on the never-ending calendar.Here's a look at the most compelling rookie storylines to follow at Bucs OTAs.A New Sheriff in TownKim Klement-USA TODAY Sports Quarterback Jameis Winston was the top overall pick in the draft, and he's expected to be the Day 1 starter under center for the Bucs this season.His magnetic personality and leadership ability was on full display at Tampa Bay's rookie mincamp earlier this month, but can the polarizing prospect win over the veterans so easily? This stretch of OTAs will be Mike Glennon's first as Winston's backup, and it will be interesting to see how he handles taking a backseat yet again—this time to a rookie.Will the veterans on offense gravitate toward Winston as quickly as his fellow rookies, or will it take time for him to win them over? Winning cures all, but Winston will have to get his more experienced teammates to buy into him as the new leader of the offense if they're to have early success.Slot Receiver BattleKim Klement-USA TODAY Sports Most fifth-round picks aren't expected to challenge for significant playing time in their first NFL season, but wide receiver Kenny Bell has a unique opportunity to do just that for the Bucs in 2015.Tampa Bay's starters are set on the outside with Mike Evans and Vincent Jackson, but they still lack a receiver who can consistently make plays from the slot. Robert Herron—last year's sixth-round pick—was somewhat of a disappointment in his rookie season, and Louis Murphy is better suited for the outside, giving Bell a clear shot at the starting role in the slot this season.Bell has the size and speed to make an immediate impact, and the Bucs should give him every chance to be their top option in the slot this year.Another Overhaul on the Offensive LineKim Klement-USA TODAY Sports Last offseason, the Bucs attempted to overhaul their offensive line by adding multiple veterans via trade and free agency, but the strategy backfired.A year later, Tampa Bay is taking another shot at retooling their front five on offense, but this time, they've done it with two second-round draft picks. Donovan Smith will be given every chance to lock down the starting job at left tackle, while small-school standout Ali Marpet should be the front-runner to start at right guard.There's no doubt that both Smith and Marpet are talented, but they may take time to develop into quality starters. The Bucs don't have much time to wait, so they'll have to learn quickly if they want to avoid last year's struggles as a unit.Which UDFAs Will Make a Splash?Wilfredo Lee/Associated Press Every year, each NFL team brings in a group of undrafted free agents to compete for roster spots, hoping to find a diamond in the rough who can become a star someday, or even just a solid role player who can contribute on special teams.Tampa Bay has a few promising prospects in this year's group, including TCU safety Chris Hackett, Towson defensive end Ryan Delaire, UCF wide receiver Rannell Hall and defensive end Jamal Young from Jones County Community College.Hackett was predicted by some to be a Day 3 draft pick, and though the Bucs have plenty of bodies at safety, there's more quantity than quality there on their depth chart. Delaire and Young are raw but talented players who should benefit from a weak group of pass-rushers on the Bucs roster. Hall turned heads with an impressive performance at the Senior Bowl, then did the same at Tampa Bay's rookie minicamp earlier this month.Keep an eye on those names and more throughout the offseason.Lansanah vs. AlexanderSpruce Derden-USA TODAY Sports After a strong performance last season, Danny Lansanah was expected to be the unchallenged leader for the starting linebacker spot on the strong side.But that was before the Bucs traded up in the fourth round to land LSU's Kwon Alexander, an undersized but athletic defender who is a perfect fit for the Tampa 2 scheme. Alexander should have an immediate impact on special teams, but though he's still fairly raw as a prospect, he should be given the chance to push Lansanah for his starting job.No matter who wins the position battle, having solid depth at linebacker is a luxury the Bucs haven't had over the past few seasons,. It should serve them well as the inevitable injuries mount throughout the long NFL season.link