Bucs normal supervisor Jason Licht joined the Pewter Report Podcast on Thursday and answered a mess of questions in regards to the workforce heading into the 2024 season. A type of questions that Licht offered some perception on was which under-the-radar gamers he was most excited to see in pads come coaching camp.
Final 12 months, Pewter Report recognized undrafted free agent Markees Watts, an outdoor linebacker out of Charlotte, as a participant who created a buzz throughout the rookie mini-camp and the OTAs. Positive sufficient, when the pads got here on in coaching camp, Watts confirmed sufficient to make the 53-man roster because the sixth exterior linebacker. He even beat out sixth-round draft choose Jose Ramirez, who spent his rookie season on Tampa Bay’s apply squad.
Watts noticed little or no taking part in time on protection, however was a mainstay on particular groups when he was energetic on sport days. But he recorded a sack as a rookie and his hit on Titans quarterback Will Levis pressured an interception by All-Professional security Antoine Winfield Jr. Watts additionally had the very best go rush win price for all edge rushers in Tampa Bay final 12 months at 23.1% on simply 27 go rush snaps, in line with Professional Soccer Focus.
Bucs FS Antoine Winfield Jr.and OLB Markees Watts – Photograph by: Cliff Welch/PR
Whereas Watts shined final offseason, he apparently has accomplished so once more within the first week of OTAs in Tampa Bay. Though the Bucs have a abruptly crowded exterior linebacker room stuffed with competitors with YaYa Diaby, Randy Gregory, Chris Braswell, Joe Tryon-Shoyinka, Anthony Nelson and Ramirez, Watts is firmly within the combine for a roster spot in 2024, in line with Licht.
“Markees is a one to regulate,” Licht stated. “He’s placed on some actually good weight, seems to be larger and stronger, however nonetheless simply cat-like quickness coming off the nook. And his bend and the way low he performs to the bottom is phenomenal.”
The 6-foot-1 Watts performed final 12 months at 246 kilos however is at the moment a couple of kilos heavier at over 250 kilos because of his offseason coaching.
Jason Licht Names 2 Bucs Ability Place Gamers, Too
However Markees Watts wasn’t the one identify that Jason Licht talked about when it got here to gamers who caught his eye throughout the offseason program. The Bucs normal supervisor additionally named two offensive gamers from final 12 months’s rookie class in tight finish Payne Durham and vast receiver Trey Palmer.
Bucs WRs Trey Palmer and Deven Thompkins and TE Payne Durham – Photograph by: USA Right now
“Payne has seemed like seems to be like he’s gained some quickness and a few pace and a few power,” Licht stated. “So I’m actually excited to see him this 12 months. And as you realize, he made some phenomenal catches final 12 months. I feel he’s going to [step up].”
Durham, a fifth-round choose, was a seldom-used backup tight finish final 12 months, and contributed 5 catches for 58 yards, together with a career-long 25-yarder towards Jacksonville on Christmas Eve. The 6-foot-5, 255-pound Durham additionally had an 18-yard reception towards Philadelphia within the first spherical of the playoffs.
Licht additionally talked about Palmer, who spent a lot of his rookie season because the workforce’s third vast receiver when Russell Gage was misplaced for the 12 months in August with a torn ACL in coaching camp. Palmer, a sixth-round choose. Palmer caught 39 passes for 385 yards (9.9 avg.) and three touchdowns taking part in reverse Mike Evans and Chris Godwin. He additionally had three catches for 88 yards within the postseason, together with a career-long 56-yard landing within the Wild Card win over the Eagles.
“Trey Palmer seems to be like he’s taking a bit little bit of a step up too,” Licht stated. “These are the blokes I’m sort of excited to see progress right here as we get in via coaching camp.”
Watch Bucs GM Jason Licht On The Pewter Report Podcast
To listen to the whole lot that Tampa Bay G.M. Jason Licht needed to say in regards to the present roster, try his practically hour-long look on Thursday’s Pewter Report Podcast by clicking the hyperlink beneath.
