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Bucs basic supervisor Jason Licht joined the Pewter Report Podcast on Thursday and answered a large number of questions concerning the group heading into the 2024 season. A kind of questions that Licht supplied some perception on was which under-the-radar gamers he was most excited to see in pads come coaching camp.
Last year, Pewter Report identified undrafted free agent Markees Watts, an out of doors 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 decide Jose Ramirez, who spent his rookie season on Tampa Bay’s observe squad.
Watts noticed little or no enjoying 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 compelled an interception by All-Professional security Antoine Winfield Jr. Watts additionally had the best go rush win charge for all edge rushers in Tampa Bay final 12 months at 23.1% on simply 27 go rush snaps, based on Professional Soccer Focus.
Bucs FS Antoine Winfield Jr.and OLB Markees Watts – Picture 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, based on Licht.
“Markees is a one to keep watch over,” Licht stated. “He’s placed on some actually good weight, seems 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 present 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 basic 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 – Picture by: USA Right this moment
“Payne has appeared like seems like he’s gained some quickness and a few velocity 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 decide, was a seldom-used backup tight finish final 12 months, and contributed 5 catches for 58 yards, together with a career-long 25-yarder in opposition to Jacksonville on Christmas Eve. The 6-foot-5, 255-pound Durham additionally had an 18-yard reception in opposition to Philadelphia within the first spherical of the playoffs.
Licht additionally talked about Palmer, who spent a lot of his rookie season because the group’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 decide. Palmer caught 39 passes for 385 yards (9.9 avg.) and three touchdowns enjoying 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 like he’s taking just a little little bit of a step up too,” Licht stated. “These are the fellows I’m sort of excited to see progress right here as we get in by coaching camp.”
Watch Bucs GM Jason Licht On The Pewter Report Podcast
To listen to every little thing that Tampa Bay G.M. Jason Licht needed to say concerning the present roster, take a look at his practically hour-long look on Thursday’s Pewter Report Podcast by clicking the hyperlink beneath.
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