Each summer, optimism abounds for every NFL club as training camp approaches. After obtaining a year of experience in the pros, players entering Year Two in their NFL tenures will strive to put a sensational performance on tape during the highly anticipated encores. The next chapter awaits for the Buccaneers' 2024 rookie class.
Last year at this time, Graham Barton was making the shift from left tackle (started three seasons at Duke) to center, where he had not played since his freshman year for the Blue Devils. Now, with the center job locked up, Barton has taken on a larger leadership role and the game has slowed down for him in Year Two. A year ago, third-round selection Tykee Smith had cross-trained at nickel, free safety and strong safety in the box. He was given a full plate and in 2025, Smith is vying for the starting spot next to Antoine Winfield Jr. Bucky Irving absorbed information from veteran Rachaad White and went to work to earn the trust of the coaching staff a year ago. Now, Irving is the starter with a prolific rookie year in the rearview.
That trio, along with outside linebacker Chris Braswell, receiver Jalen McMillan, guard Elijah Klein and tight end Devin Culp, will ignite both sides of the football for Tampa Bay.
"I just want to see us be pros," said McMillan. "I want to see us lead the younger guys but also be a beacon of light towards the older guys and just stay in our lane and make plays."
Smith primarily lined up at nickel in 2024 and racked up two interceptions, seven pass breakups, three forced fumbles, 54 tackles, four tackles for loss and two quarterback hits in six game starts (13 games played). He patrolled the middle of the field with ease and elite short-area burst. In 2025, Smith has cross-trained at nickel and strong safety, with Winfield the incumbent at free safety. The Georgia product blankets receivers underneath, possesses a smooth backpedal and quickly triggers downhill to the run. Smith plays with a high-level cerebral approach and exceptional awareness. He is another versatile chess piece for Todd Bowles to employ in 2025 and is on pace to cement a full-time role in the defensive backfield for Tampa Bay.
Barton, the Bucs' first overall pick in the 2024 draft, tied for fourth in fewest sacks allowed among centers last season with Miami's Aaron Brewer and Buffalo's Connor McGovern at 2.0. His athleticism and fiery propulsion helped set the tone up front for Tampa Bay, notably in the run game. Barton took on a heavy load in Year One, setting protections and adjustments based on defensive looks. In 2025, Barton is entrenched in the middle of the offensive line and has focused on fine-tuning his craft before the start of camp and making sure he is on the same page as quarterback Baker Mayfield regarding front structures. The offensive line dictates the efficiency of the offense and Barton will secure the unit.
Several of Barton's second-level climbs spurred runs for Irving last year. The first-year running back wonder led all rookies in scrimmage yards (1,514), rushing yards (1,122) and rushing touchdowns (eight) in 2024. Irving finished first in the NFL in forced missed tackle percentage (37.1%) and led all rookies with 76 forced missed tackles. The Bucs' 5.3 rushing yards per attempt set a new franchise record last season, as did its 2,536 total rushing yards. Irving thrived off counter traps, a concept he ran at high frequency for the Oregon Ducks. On those types of runs, Irving proficiently stays in-phase with the pullers and quickly accelerates off the puller's block once he makes contact. Last year, Irving was patient and did not out-run his pullers, leading to magic on Sundays. With panoramic vision, rare cutting ability and short-area quickness that leaves defenders reeling, Irving is focused on a repeat in 2025. Defenders now have a year of Irving tape to sort through, so the Tampa Bay back will create subtle adjustments in his game to keep the opposition guessing. Irving also elevated the Bucs' screen game, working closely with then-Pass Game Coordinator Josh Grizzard on ways to exploit defenses, and he will once again fuel the offense with his shifty footwork in 2025.
"I'll say this, if I would've known what Bucky was capable of, I probably would've taken him in the second round or first round," noted General Manager Jason Licht. "We knew that we had a special group of guys – the individuals, but you still never know until you get out there and they start playing. To say that we knew that it was going to be what it was, no, but just like the last two drafts previous to that, we came out and were giving high fives saying, 'We've got great guys, if anything, that work hard, that are team guys, all those things.' So you knew you had a chance, and we thought at the time that they were good players, but you still never know until you actually get out there. You feel confident about it but you never know."
In 2024, Braswell operated out of a rotational role, contributing 329 snaps. He showed flashes when his number was called and slipped past blockers to flatten the pocket. Throughout the offseason, Braswell has prioritized hand usage and adding moves to his pass-rush repertoire. Both teammate Yaya Diaby and Outside Linebackers Coach Larry Foote have helped Braswell add to his toolkit by harnessing his power into various maneuvers. Tampa Bay did add veteran acquisition Haason Reddick in free agency and re-signed Anthony Nelson but Braswell is poised for a breakout year. A two-time member of Bruce Feldman's "Freaks List," Braswell possesses elite first-step quickness, an outstanding speed-to-power conversion and lateral range. The 2024 second-round pick will seek to channel his athleticism in 2025 on passing downs.
On the opposite side of the ball, McMillan developed down the stretch of the 2024 season and eventually emerged as the number-two receiver on the depth chart behind Mike Evans after Chris Godwin dislocated his ankle and landed on injured reserve. McMillan had five receptions for 74 yards and a receiving touchdown against the Saints in Week 18, which marked 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). His 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. McMillan's eight receiving touchdowns ranked second among all rookies last season, trailing only Brian Thomas Jr. (10).
The fluid route-runner pairs long-strided speed with the ability to create space mid route, leveraging himself with fakes versus coverage. In a loaded receiver room in Tampa Bay that now features 2025 first-round pick Emeka Egbuka and seventh-rounder Tez Johnson, McMillan will work to carve out his role on the depth chart. He is focused on building off 2024's emergence, galvanizing the offense with manipulation tactics.
Offensively, the Bucs have placed an emphasis on downfield explosive plays to fortify the team's juggernaut in 2025. Tampa Bay only threw deep (20+ yards downfield in the air) on 7.5% of their passes last year, ranking 28th in the NFL. When they did throw it deep, their success rate was 32.6%, which was ranked 21st in the league. While the Bucs were sixth in yards gained per pass attempt, they were 29th in average air yards per attempt (6.8). That measures how far the ball is being thrown in the air past the line of scrimmage before it reaches its target. The Bucs achieved success through YAC yards, finding ways to get playmakers in the open field, whether through options, crossers or screens.
"We're trying to get some more explosive [plays] in," said Mayfield. "Obviously, when you look at the stats – I'm not a big stats guy, but we weren't as much down-the-field explosive. We were creating a lot of open, in the middle, and guys getting some YAC."
Culp, the Bucs' 2024 seventh-round pick, posted only 41 snaps last season but is expected to play a larger role in the team's 2025 aerial attack. The Washington product is another big, friendly target for Mayfield downfield. Culp ran a 4.47-second 40-yard dash at the 2024 Combine, which was the third-fastest time for any player who weighed at least 230 pounds. He has the speed to challenge defenses vertically and the size element to create mismatches. Culp had experience in college being flexed out wide in one-on-one scenarios and he could add another dimension to the Bucs' passing attack.
In the trenches, Klein added depth at right guard in 2024. He only posted nine total snaps on offense this past season but provides Tampa Bay with much-needed insurance. At Texas-El Paso, Klein impressed with move-blocking skills and the ability to recognize and pick up twists. Through the duration of an 18-week NFL season, Klein is a viable option that the Bucs could plug in on the line in the interior if injuries pile up.
