With rookie camp under this weekend, the Buccaneers are looking for those under-the-radar players that they feel have something to contribute and add them to the 90-man roster.
There are three quarterbacks at Buccaneers rookie camp this weekend.
The quarterback that put up the most eye-popping numbers was Incarnate Word quarterback Lindsey Scott. Last season Scott passed for 4.657 yards with 60 touchdowns and eight interceptions. However, most scouts think Scott has already hit his ceiling, and his game will not improve.
Kyle Vantrease from Georgia Southern and Kaylan Wiggins from Southeastern College in Florida are the other two quarterbacks in Tampa this weekend.
There are, however, two players I am watching, and I will not be surprised if they not only make the 90-man training camp roster but also find a spot on the 53-man roster or practice squad.
Running back Sean Tucker from Syracuse and linebacker Jeremy Banks from Tennessee.
Sean Tucker Can Help The Buccaneer Running Game
Let’s talk about Sean Tucker.
Tucker is a small back but packs a wallop in that small 5’9″ frame. In his third season at Syracuse, Tucker Ran for 1,060 yards with 11 touchdowns and averaged 5.1 yards per carry. He finished his career third all-time in rushing yards at Syracuse with 3,182 yards rushing and 27 touchdowns.
Tucker also had 64 receptions for 622 yards and four touchdowns in his collegiate career.
Tucker ran track at Syracuse, bringing that speed and vision to the football field. He has good hands and is very patient at the line of scrimmage, waiting for a hole to open.
He also has good contact balance to keep running after being hit. In addition, he has the speed to outrun defenders, but his lack of being a good pass blocker and inconsistent catching the ball will probably lead to him being on the field on just first and second downs.
Tucker will not compete at the Buccaneers rookie camp this weekend due to a medical condition. He is however expected to be ready for the start of training camp in late July.
Tucker will compete with Patrick Laird for the RB4 spot on the roster.
Austin Ekeler, Phillip Lindsay, and James Robinson ate just three running backs that were UFA’s and have carved out a nice career in the NFL.
Jeremy Banks Will Add Linebacker Depth
Linebacker Jeremy Banks from Tennessee.
Banks originally signed with Tennessee as a running back and switched to defense permanently in the fall of 2019.
In 2021, banks led the Vols with 128 tackles, tying for the team lead with 11.5 TFL adding 5.5 sacks. In 2022 in playing eight of eleven games, Banks had 53 tackles and 4.5 TFL,
Banks is a very physical linebacker, and that physicality that makes up some for his lack of size. He does not miss tackles and will hit and wrap up what is before him. In addition, Banks loves to run into the gap to meet the runner head-on and bring that runner to the ground.
The negatives on Banks are his lack of speed, his small size for his position, and his lack of confidence in pass coverage. He also had some documented issues off the field at Tennessee, possibly scaring off some teams on draft day.
The Buccaneers need linebacker depth. Devin White may or may not hold out. Lavonte David may be playing his last season. So it makes sense for the Buccaneers to sign Banks and see what he can bring to the team.
After expecting to be drafted in the sixth or seventh round, Banks will come to Tampa with a chip on his shoulder, which could work in the Buccaneers favor.
