Jalen McMillan
Jalen McMillan came into his own last season, igniting the offense down the final stretch of the club's 2024 docket. McMillan emerged as the number-two guy on the depth chart behind Mike Evans, helping to supplement the production of Chris Godwin when he was placed on injured reserve. McMillan tallied five receptions for 74 yards and a receiving touchdown against the Saints in Week 18, marking his fifth straight game with a receiving touchdown, tied for the second-longest streak by a rookie in NFL history, trailing only Randy Moss (seven games). McMillan's seven touchdowns over his final five games of the regular season were tied for the most by any Buccaneer over a five-game span in club history, joining Evans and Jimmie Giles. He became the second player to record seven-or-more touchdown catches over a five-game span this season, joining Ja'Marr Chase. McMillan's eight receiving touchdowns are the third-most by a Buccaneer in franchise history, trialing Mike Evans (12 in 2014) and Mike Williams (11 in 2010). Throughout the 2025 offseason, McMillan has impressed with route subtleties to con coverage and his feel for exploiting zones. He had a breakout performance against the Steelers in the joint practice on Thursday with an explosive 15-yard gain down the left sideline and he will be one to monitor at Acrisure Stadium come Saturday.
Tez Johnson
Tez Johnson, the Buccaneers' seventh-round draft pick, returned to action this past week from a leg injury and will look to make a statement in his first preseason action against the Steelers. Johnson holds Oregon's No. 1 and No. 2 spots in the record books for most single-season catches. Throughout the offseason workout program, he has shown his shifty footwork and ability to stick his foot in the ground, redirect and accelerate nearly instantaneously. He has open-field burst to create YAC yards and can quickly leave pursuit in his dust. Johnson is electric with the ball in his hands and adds another dimension to Josh Grizzard's offense.
Nick Jackson
Nick Jackson made his presence felt in the preseason opener against the Titans. He led the team with six tackles and posted a sack, two tackles for loss (team high) a quarterback hit, an interception and a pass defensed. He became the first Buccaneer player since 2017 to record a sack and an interception in the same preseason game. Jackson shot through the A-gap for a sack in Preseason Week One and nabbed an acrobatic one-handed pick that sent the crowd to their feet inside Raymond James Stadium. The young linebacker lived in the backfield, and he will be one to observe against the Steelers.
Sean Tucker
The Bucs took a run-first approach in the second half of their preseason opener as Sean Tucker and Owen Wright combined for 137 yards and two touchdowns. Overall, the Bucs ran 41 times for 178 yards, both representing the club's most in a preseason showdown since 2017. Tucker, Tampa Bay's preseason darling, runs with outstanding contact balance and lateral elusiveness. He possesses effective downhill cuts and an instinctive feel for creating outside of the blocking structure. The Syracuse product fights through contact and will look to bully the Steelers' defense.
SirVocea Dennis
SirVocea Dennis contributed 104 snaps during the Buccaneers' 2024 campaign. The Bucs placed Dennis on injured reserve in October after he aggravated a shoulder injury in the team's Week Four clash with the Eagles. He played in the club's first four games of the 2024 campaign, splitting snaps with K.J. Britt opposite Lavonte David. To make the most of his coverage skills, Dennis primarily came onto the field in passing situations on third down to solidify the middle of the Bucs' defense. Dennis posted 20 tackles, one tackle for loss and a sack in his small sample size. The Pittsburgh product will vie to leave an impression on the Acrisure Stadium field with his instinctual play, quick reaction time versus play-action and effective blitzes.
