Buccaneers waive return specialist, backup WR

The Buccaneers can have a brand new main returner in 2024. The workforce has waived Deven Thompkins with an harm designation, in accordance with ESPN’s Jenna Laine.

Thompkins joined Tampa Bay as an undrafted free agent out of Utah State in 2022. After enjoying sparingly on offense as a rookie, the wideout obtained into near one-fourth of his workforce’s offensive snaps in 2023. He in the end completed the marketing campaign with 17 catches for 83 yards and one landing.

The 24-year-old actually confirmed out on particular groups this previous season. He completed the 12 months with 16 kick returns for 327 yards (20.4 yards per return) and 25 punt returns for 234 yards (9.4 yards per return). He was particularly lively within the postseason, returning one other three punts and one kickoff in two video games.

As Greg Auman of FOX Sports activities factors out, the NFL’s new kickoff guidelines ought to lead to extra returns and extra contact. This implies the league could also be shifting away from the “smaller, shifty receivers” as their main kick and punt returners. Thompkins is listed at 5-foot-8 and 155 kilos; Auman suggests Tampa Bay’s new choices might be fourth-round RB Bucky Irving (5-foot-9, 192 kilos) and third-round WR Jalen McMillan (6-foot-1, 197 kilos).

On offense, Thompkins’ exit shouldn’t shake up the depth chart. Mike Evans and Chris Godwin will proceed to absorb nearly all of the targets, with McMillan and Trey Palmer sliding in behind that duo. The Buccaneers are additionally rostering a protracted listing of former UDFAs (together with Rakim Jarrett) and present UDFAs (together with Tanner Knue, Latreal Jones, and Kameron Johnson).