Bucs UDFA Says He’s “The Smartest WR In This Draft Class”

Most undrafted free agents come in with a chip on their shoulder as they fight to make an NFL roster. With the attitude that former Kanas State wide receiver Kade Warner is bringing in to the Bucs facility, saying it’s a chip is more of an understatement. It’s more like a boulder.

Warner, who is the son of Hall of Fame quarterback Kurt Warner, has a great opportunity to make the Bucs’ 53-man roster or at least earn a spot on their practice squad. Tampa Bay has their top three receivers ready to go with Mike Evans, Chris Godwin and Russell Gage plus sixth round pick Trey Palmer, but there’s a chance he could hang on as the Bucs’ fifth or sixth wideout.

Bucs WR Kade Warner – Photo by: Cliff Welch/PR

After three years at Nebraska, Warner transferred over to Kansas State and really showed off his talents. In his two years there, he recorded 60 catches, 622 yards and five touchdowns in 22 games. He made some impressive receptions over those seasons. Though he mostly played outside, Warner projects as a slot receiver at the NFL level.

Warner Comes In With Great Confidence

The competition isn’t going to be easy to make this Bucs team. But Warner is used to this situation as a walk on in college. He takes everything close to the chest, finding personal slights that over anyone that gets a chance before him. As the Michael Jordan meme goes, he takes it personally. And he’s got list.

“I take everything personally,” “Warner said. “Like I was saying, from that undrafted, that walk-on mentality, every little thing. Like if the coaches pick somebody else before me, I write that down, if somebody gets more reps than me in this walk through, I write that down. It’s kind of like that chip on your shoulder, I think just that expression is said a lot so I don’t like saying it, but I just take everything personally.

When you’re looking to make a roster you need any advantage you can get. There’s an old saying “work smarter, not harder.” While he’s putting a lot of hard work in, Warner believes it’s his football IQ that separates himself from the group. And not just the group of receivers in Tampa Bay, but any wide receiver from this year’s draft class.

Bucs ILB SirVocea Dennis and WR Kade Warner – Photo by: Cliff Welch/PR

“So, I’m competitive like that and I’m the smartest receiver in this draft class,” Warner said. “I’ve said it before. They’re going to get a good slot receiver out of me and I’m going to know exactly what to do on every play.”

Todd Bowles Speaks On Warner

If Warner does make the Bucs’ roster it’ll be in a special teams role. Head coach Todd Bowles was complimentary when talking about him and thinks Warner would thrive in that area.

Coachable, very coachable,” Bowles said. “Solid football player. He can catch the ball, he can play special teams, he can do a lot of things that we need and we’re always looking for special teams players.”