Bucs 2023 Undrafted Free Agent Analysis: Offense

The end of the NFL Draft signals one of the busiest and most hectic times for front offices. Teams aggressively lobby against each other to land the best undrafted prospects to round out their 90-man offseason rosters.

Coming into draft weekend the Bucs had just 60 players on the offseason roster. After drafting eight prospects, they were still a ways away from the offseason roster limit. In his annual post-draft vice president of player personnel John Spytek said he expected the team to sign about 20 undrafted free agents. Tampa Bay wound up with 19, including a few players that were projected to be drafted in between the fifth and sixth rounds.

With open spots available on the roster several of the Bucs signees will need to make the most of their opportunities. That starts next weekend when the Bucs rookie mini-camp starts on May 12. Here are the undrafted free agents on offense that signed with the Bucs following the draft.

Syracuse RB Sean Tucker – Junior – 5-9, 207 -4.54

Tucker is a talented running back that fell out of the draft due to medical concerns. Originally projected to be selected anywhere from the fourth round on, he was the consensus No. 14 ranked running back in the draft. Some analysts had him as high as a second-round selection. If he’s healthy and medically cleared after dealing with a heart condition, the Bucs might have found themselves a steal in undrafted free agency. Tucker reportedly received $155,000 in guaranteed money to sign with Tampa Bay.

Strengths: A former track star, Tucker possesses very good speed and vision as a runner. He is patient at the line of scrimmage, sees a hole and hits it, and displays good contact balance.  He’s a capable receiver out of the backfield and makes crisp cuts with the ball in his hands as a one-cut runner.

Weaknesses: While he put up 29 reps at his pro day he isn’t a powerful rusher and isn’t going to run over defenders. He will also need to make significant strides as a pass blocker if he wants to see the field early on in his career. He might be limited to just first and second downs initially.

Stats: Tucker capped off his senior year with 1,060 yards rushing, 11 touchdowns, and a 5.1 yards per carry average. He finished his three-year collegiate career with 3,182 yards rushing and 27 touchdowns. He added 64 receptions for 622 yards and four scores.

Bucs Fit: Tucker fits new Tampa Bay offensive coordinator Dave Canales’ wide zone running scheme and will have an opportunity to make the team as the fourth running back on the roster.

Shepherd RB Ronnie Brown – Junior – 5-11, 192 – 4.46

A small school player from the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference, Brown wasn’t expected to be drafted. He dominated at the D-II level and needed to be accounted for on every play and was capable of moving the chains consistently on the ground and through the air.

Strengths: Brown displays excellent vision, burst and speed to pop through the open hole. He has soft hands and is elusive as a runner. Brown knows how to set up blocks. He’ll also add value as a kick returner with 1,404 yards on 59 returns and a score over his four years at Shepherd.

Weaknesses: Looking for the home run play, Brown is susceptible to losing yards trying to bounce runs to the outside and can be an upright runner at times. He isn’t a power rusher and isn’t going to churn out yards between the tackles and he’ll need to show he is capable in pass protection. Of course the increased level of competition will also be an obstacle to overcome, as well after playing at the D-II level.

Stats: Brown was incredibly productive over his four seasons at Shepherd. He finished the 2022 campaign with 2,452 all-purpose yards, including 1,863 yards rushing and 589 yards receiving. He had 19 touchdowns on the ground and added five more through the air, while averaging a whopping 8.4 yards per carry. Brown ended his collegiate career with an outstanding 3,041 yards rushing and 30 touchdowns to go with 1,158 yards receiving on 81 receptions and 11 scores.

Bucs Fit: If Brown can prove that the jump in competition isn’t too tall of a task and impresses on special teams, he could find himself fighting for the final spot at running back on the roster. At the very least he figures to be a potential practice squad player for the Bucs to develop.

Maryland WR Rakim Jarrett – Junior – 6-0, 192 – 4.44

Surprisingly, Jarrett went undrafted after being projected as a potential fifth-round selection and the consensus No. 23 receiver in the draft. More an of an athlete at this point, he’s still raw as a prospect, but has all the tools to develop into a quality receiver at the next level. The Bucs gave Jarrett $225,000 guaranteed to sign, including a $25,000 bonus.

Strengths: Jarrett has game-breaking speed and is a real threat with the ball in his hands. He can be utilized in the running game on jet sweeps and can beat press coverage off the line with the ability to separate deep. He also provides value as a kick returner with 177 yards on 10 returns.

Weaknesses: Jarrett’s production dropped off his junior year after missing two games, and he’ll need to be a smoother route runner at the next level. He’ll also need to show more consistency on contested catches and struggled with drops at times as well.

Stats: After turning in 62 receptions for 829 yards and five touchdowns his sophomore year, Jarrett’s production tapered off his final season at Maryland with just 40 catches for 471 yards and three scores. He totaled 1,552 yards on 119 receptions and 10 touchdowns.

Bucs Fit: Jarrett projects as a slot-only player at the next level and will provide incumbent returner Deven Thompkins with competition for the returner spot, while providing value on special teams as a gunner. He has a legit shot at making the roster if the Bucs choose to keep six wide receivers.

Kansas State WR Kade Warner – Senior – 6-0, 201, 4.59

Warner is the son of Hall of Fame quarterback Kurt Warner. After spending his first three seasons at Nebraska, he transferred to Kansas State for his final two seasons. He was a team captain at Nebraska and K-State, and had his most productive season with the Wildcats in 2022.

Strengths: Warner has a high football IQ and is a savvy route runner who can create his own separation despite lacking game-breaking speed. He has the versatility to line up on the outside and in the slot and has an innate ability to get off the jam making it hard to press him at the line of scrimmage.

Weaknesses: As mentioned above, Warner doesn’t have high-end speed and isn’t going to run away from defenders. Just an ordinary athlete, he possesses just average lateral quickness and explosion, but uses his football intelligence to find soft spots in the defense to make plays.

Stats: Warner’s best season was in 2022 which saw him post 46 receptions for 456 yards and five touchdowns. Over his five year collegiate career he tallied 90 catches for 858 and five scores.

Bucs Fit: If Warner is going to make the roster he’ll have to show out on special teams. Though his ability to be in the right spot at the right time to make a play could earn him a spot on the practice squad as he continues to develop. Much like his father did, Warner faces an uphill battle to make a name for himself in the league but has a pretty good role model to fall back on for advice.

TCU WR Taye Barber – Senior – 5-10, 190 – 4.45

Barber played five years for the Horned Frogs and had his most productive season in 2022.  Although he was often lost in the shuffle behind Quentin Johnston and Derius Davis, he managed to post career high numbers. Though he was expected to go undrafted, he’s a durable, polished receiver with a strong skill set.

Strengths: A quarterback’s best friend, Barber is a reliable target who knows and understands how to read coverages to find the soft spot in the defense to be a safety valve underneath. He does his best work in the middle of the field where he uses a quick release and burst to reach his top speed to create seperation, but he can also stretch the field and tracks the deep ball well.

Weaknesses: Barber lacks game-changing speed with a small profile and though he’s willing doesn’t offer much as a blocker. When faced with press coverage he can be overpowered and can have lapses in concentration on deep balls with double-catching and struggling in contested catch situations.

Stats: In 2022, Barber posted 37 receptions for 613 yards and five touchdowns, while averaging 16.6 yards per catch . TCU has had three first-round draft picks at wide receivers since 2016, yet Barber is fifth all-time in school history in receptions and 10th all-time in yards. For his career he reeled in 159 passes for 2,120 yards and 11 scores.

Bucs Fit: Barber’s best bet to make the Bucs will be to separate himself from the other undrafted receivers by showing his consistency to get open and make the quarterbacks jobs easier. He figures to only be a slot receiver in the NFL, and though he doesn’t offer much as a returner, he can play on multiple special teams units.

Furman WR Ryan Miller  – Senior – 6-1, 210 – 4.52

On the smaller side for a tight end, Miller is making the transition to wide receiver at the next level. The three-time All-American in the FCS had a Top-30 visit with the Packers during the pre-draft process.

Strengths:  Miller displays good athleticism with a decent frame and a knack for the big play. He’s quick off the snap and has an impressive contested catch rate. Though not a strength, he isn’t afraid to get his nose dirty as a blocker and has impressive short area quickness and footwork.

Weaknesses:  He can struggle with focus drops in traffic and lacks polish in his route running. Level of competition will be something he will need to overcome along with a position change.

Stats: Miller capped off a productive college career with 72 receptions for 762 yards and 12 touchdowns in 2022. Over his five seasons with the Paladins, he tallied 151 catches for 2,146 yards and 28 scores.

Bucs Fit: Miller is a developmental player for the Bucs as he makes the move to wide receiver. He fits the bill with speed and production along with the toughness the team has prioritized this offseason.

Illinois State TE Tanner Taula – Senior – 6-6, 251 – 4.85

Taula has the size NFL teams look for with long arms and a thick frame to hold up on the line of scrimmage. Projected to go undrafted, he was a leader and earned All-MVFC honorable mention honors his final year at Illinois State. He missed the final two games of the year due to injury.

Strengths: Taula has prototypical size for a tight end in the NFL and has a quick release off the snap. He is a polished blocker and pass protector and can knock defenders off the line of scrimmage in the run game.

Weaknesses: Taula will need to improve his receiving skills to see the field as an every down or rotational player at the next level. He also doesn’t blow anyone away with his speed and athleticism.

Stats: Taula had his best season in 2022 with 26 receptions for 284 yards and a score, while averaging 10.9 yards per catch. Over his five years with the Red Birds he totaled 63 receptions for 627 yards four touchdowns.

Bucs Fit: Taula will have to carve a role on special teams if he wants to make the Bucs roster n 2023. He has intriguing attributes that could prompt the Bucs to keep him around on the practice squad with a good showing in training camp.

Oklahoma C/G Chris Murray – Senior – 6-1, 294 – 5.31 

Murray comes into the NFL from an Oklahoma program that just puts out sound offensive linemen. A two-year starter at right guard with the Sooners, Murray will make the move to center at the next level. The Bucs hosted Murray on a Top-30 visit during the pre-draft process

Strengths: A tenacious blocker, he plays with a mean streak right through the whistle. He has good lateral agility displaying the ability to pull effectively when asked, and to mirror speed rushers. Murray works well in space and getting to the second level. He has the quickness off the line to get into defender’s pads.

Weaknesses: Length is a big concern for Murray as it contributes to his ability to sustain blocks. He doesn’t possess the lower body strength to move defenders off the spot and struggles with body control which can lead to balance issues

Bucs Fit: Murray is a fast, athletic, physical, explosive interior lineman, who is quite effective as a puller and could excel in new offensive coordinator Dave Canales’ wide zone scheme. Though the Bucs currently have a log jam of interior lineman his best bet is to impress in training camp and sticking around on the practice squad.

Indiana OT Luke Haggard – Senior – 6-6, 302 – 5.17

Haggard started his college career at the JUCO level before transferring to Indiana in 2019. He went on to start 26 games at left tackle for the Hoosiers and was a team captain.

Strengths: Haggard displays good hand placement to get under defenders pads and keep them at bay. He has above average athleticism and get-off  to reach the second level and is effective pulling as a lead blocker. Haggard also shows agile footwork and short area quickness as well as the ability to mirror pass rushers.

Weaknesses: Haggard will need to get bigger and stronger if he is going to carve out a role as a left tackle in the NFL. He has shorter arms than desired and can get bullied by power rushers at his current mass. Haggard will need to improve his technique in pass protection and doesn’t generate movement on the line line of scrimmage at his current playing strength.

Bucs Fit: The Bucs have a need for tackle depth after losing Josh Wells in free agency and releasing Donovan Smith. Haggard can work as a developmental prospect while he bulks up in an NFL strength and conditioning program. With a sold camp Haggard should find himself on the team’s practice squad.

Virginia Tech OL Silas Dzansi – Senior – 6-5, 323 – 5.23

A sixth-year senior, Dzansi started 34 games over his career with the Hokies at both tackles spots and right guard. He has a massive seven-foot wingspan. He was drafted by the Memphis Showboats of the USFL with the 67th pick in the ninth round in February.

Strengths: Dzansi thrives as a run blocker and is explosive at the point of attack. He possesses a powerful punch that displaces defenders in the run game and has a solid anchor to hold his own in pass sets.

Weaknesses: Dzansi lacks athleticism and footwork on the edge and can get beaten by inside moves struggling to adjust in time. He has a tendency to get top-heavy and while his punch is strong his timing can be inconsistent.

Bucs Fit: Dzansi projects as a developmental offensive tackle that will need refinement in his technique in pass protection. He offers some position flexibility and with a good showing in camp could earn a spot on the practice squad.