News Bucs Team Notes

[Tampa Bay Buccaneers]

Can you guess this Bucs linebacker in today’s in-5 trivia game?

Think you can figure out which Bucs player we’re talking about? You’ll get five clues to figure him out in our new guessing game!

We’re back for another day of the Pride of Detroit in-5 daily trivia game. Game instructions are at the bottom if you’re new to the game! Feel free to share your results in the comments and feedback in this Google Form.

Today’s Bucs Nation in-5 game​

If you can’t see the game due to Apple News or another service, click this game article.

Previous games​

Saturday, April 5, 2025
Friday, April 4, 2025

Play more SB Nation in-5 trivia games​

NFL in-5
MLB in-5
MMA in-5

Bucs Nation in-5 instructions​

The goal of the game is to guess the Bucs player with the help of up to five clues. We’ll mix in BOTH ACTIVE AND RETIRED PLAYERS. It won’t be easy to figure it out in one or two guesses, but some of you might be able to nail it.

After you correctly guess the player, you can click “Share Results” to share how you did down in the comments and on social media. We won’t go into other details about the game as we’d like your feedback on it. How it plays, what you think of it, the difficulty level, and anything else you can think of that will help us improve this game. You can provide feedback in the comments of this article, or you can fill out this Google Form.

Enjoy!

Source: https://www.bucsnation.com/2025/4/6/24402277/sb-nation-buccaneers-daily-trivia-in-5

 

[Tampa Bay Buccaneers]

Buccaneers restructure Baker Mayfield's deal

Photo by Kevin Sabitus/Getty Images

Tampa Bay continues their recent streak of restructures with quarterback Baker Mayfield.

Following their restructure of Antoine Winfield Jr.'s contract, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers have also tinkered with Baker Mayfield's deal.

BREAKING: BUCCANEERS have restructured Baker Mayfield’s contract for $14.4 million in cap savings. A day after restructuring Evans, Winfield Jr., and Wirfs the team continues to add cap flexibility in 2025, per @AaronWilson_NFL

#WeAreTheKrewe ‍ pic.twitter.com/AvT1KfhGcT

— SleeperBucs (@SleeperTBBUCS) April 3, 2025​

Baker Mayfield's restructure frees up more than $14 million dollars in savings for the team's salary cap.

The move comes as no surprise, the Buccaneers have consistently restructured deals with their primary players over the years and Mayfield is simply the most recent example of this.

Tampa signed their quarterback to an extension last offseason— A three-year contract worth up to $110 million (a figure he has substantially outplayed thus far).

Tampa Bay’s decision to restructure Mayfield comes off of his most successful season as a pro. He was second in the league in touchdown tosses (41) and Mayfield led Tampa to an NFC South title for the second consecutive year. In 2025, the Bucs are gearing up for an all-in type run with their current nucleus, Mayfield will be leading the charge.

For more Bucs coverage check us out here:

@Will_Walsh_NFL(X)

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Source: https://www.bucsnation.com/2025/4/4...structure-baker-mayfields-deal-tampa-bay-bucs

 

[Tampa Bay Buccaneers]

Buccaneers NFL Draft Target: DL Derrick Harmon, Oregon

Photo by Brian Murphy/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images

Could the Bucs reinforce their defensive line in Round 1?

The defensive line could be considered the Buccaneers’ strength on defense from 2024, relatively speaking.

Despite missing time with injuries, Calijah Kancey and Vita Vea both played at high levels to be among the team’s individual sack leaders, with Kancey leading everyone (7.5) and Vea not far behind (7). Logan Hall, while still leaving something to be desired, did improve and aims to make a leap in the final year of his rookie deal.

The positives are encouraging, but the Bucs do not shy away from stacking strengths and reportedly were going to draft another juiced-up defensive tackle in Round 1 last year in Jer’Zhan Newton if eventual pick Graham Barton wasn’t there.

In a stacked defensive tackle class, Tampa should again have its eyes peeled for quality talents like Oregon’s Derrick Harmon. Let’s take a closer look.

DERRICK HARMON’S COLLEGIATE CAREER​

Photo by Jeff Speer/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images

The first three years of Harmon’s collegiate career came and went with very little buzz.

A 3-star prospect from Detroit, Harmon had his pick of Power 5 programs but chose to remain in-state with the Michigan State Spartans. He redshirted as a freshman, then gradually worked his way into a mainstay role over the next two years with modest production (15 starts with 70 tackles, 3.5 sacks, 2 passes defensed, and 1 forced fumble).

He chose to transfer to Oregon and then flourished when surrounded with superior talent and empowered by a creative defensive coordinator in Tosh Lupoi who consistently moved Harmon around the line and took advantage of his unique skillset.

The result manifested in a second-team All-American nod, as Harmon tallied 45 tackles (10.5 for loss), 5 sacks, 4 PBUs, 2 forced fumbles and led the FBS in pressures among defensive tackles (55).

PRO DAY AND SCOUTING COMBINE​

Derrick Harmon attended the NFL Scouting Combine but only had measurements taken and ran the 40. He checked in with great overall size, measuring 6-foot-4, 313 pounds with 34 ⅜” arms and 10 ⅜” hands (all well above average). He ran a very good 4.95 in the 40 with a 1.74 10-yard split.

.@MoveTheSticks No. 26 prospect @oregonfootball DT Derrick Harmon turned some heads last night. @visa pic.twitter.com/SHmAlp0Ck5

— NFL (@NFL) February 28, 2025​

He definitely hits the landmarks the Bucs would look for at 5-technique size-wise, which is where Hall plays the majority of his snaps, but Harmon’s got the chops to move around the line and afford Todd Bowles the freedom to employ his creativity.

While the Bucs typically aim for elite athletes with their early picks, Harmon did not participate in explosiveness or agility drills so it’s hard to have an easily quantifiable picture of his true athleticism. He did not qualify for Relative Athletic Score (RAS).

WHAT HARMON CAN DO FOR THE BUCS IN 2025​

Harmon is built to garner significant snaps right from the jump for the Bucs.

His NFL-ready size, length, and strength will play up in a rotation with Hall as he refines the finer points of his game. As aforementioned, Harmon got to move around the Ducks defensive line from 3- and 5-technique to 4i and nose, so that familiarity should help him get up to speed in Bowles’s exotic packages (get ready to also learn dropping into coverage, buddy).

The Bucs value gap-shooters who can make plays in the backfield, and Harmon showcases the quickness and surge to do that routinely. Paired with that massive length and strength to stack and shed, Harmon should be able to generate significantly more push than Hall as a rookie, where strength has been a consistent issue since he was drafted 2022.

Derrick Harmon moves incredibly well for someone at 6’5/310lbs…

*Among NCAA DTs in 2024*
55 Pressures (#1)
17.6% Pass-Rush Win (#4) *snap min

Twitchy, active, athletic. pic.twitter.com/rAKEeZupFa

— SCOUTD (@scoutdnfl) February 17, 2025​

Harmon’s got a nice toolbox to win 1-on-1, as well as some ready counters to keep blockers guessing. He also understands how to play stunts, which is another staple of the defense. Harmon is much less project and more ready with production to boot, which should appeal to a Tampa team that really needs more oomph anywhere they can find it on defense.

THREE-YEAR OUTLOOK​

The expectation will be that Harmon starts in a timeshare role with Hall in 2025, and how he does from there will largely determine how 2026 and beyond goes.

Ideally, you’d like to see Harmon use his pro-ready skill set to make a notable impact from the jump and seize near total control of the snap share by end of the season, which sets up him to be the team’s stalwart 5-technique moving forward.

It’s fair to call him a high-floor prospect with a questionable ceiling, so here’s the catch. Harmon is not overwhelmingly agile with a high center of gravity, so lateral movement and easy body control don’t really come natural to him. He excels in other areas enough to stymie this issue, but the primary side effect is that it can create problems with finishing plays.

Loved watching #Oregon iDL Derrick Harmon on tape. Led the FBS in interior pressures among DTs and finished second in pressure rate last season. Still needs to do a better job of playing under control and finishing plays.pic.twitter.com/E6Xrb3dYFL

— Jordan Reid (@Jordan_Reid) February 21, 2025​

Improved discipline in both his leverage and aggressiveness will be paramount for him taking the step from active disruptor to genuine menace for offenses. That can be a slow process, so Harmon could be a plus starter as soon as next year or closer to the end of his rookie deal.

STOCK REPORT​

Harmon is universally heralded as a first-round pick who will likely go within the top 25.

Funnily enough, several draft evaluators all land on the same comparison for Harmon: Buffalo Bills defensive tackle DaQuan Jones.

This is a flattering comparison, as Jones has built a steady 11-year career as an established starter. Jones has never been a prolific sack man, but he’s always been reliable and a complementary pocket pusher in a variety of roles for several teams.

You could do a lot worse!

ON THE CLOCK...​

What say you, Bucs Nation? Would you be pleased to see Harmon join the Bucs’ defensive line room as a complement to Vita Vea and Calijah Kancey. Discuss in the comments and vote in the poll below.

Source: https://www.bucsnation.com/2025/4/7...derrick-harmon-oregon-vita-vea-calijah-kancey

 

[Tampa Bay Buccaneers]

Can you guess this Bucs running back in today’s in-5 trivia game?

Think you can figure out which Bucs player we’re talking about? You’ll get five clues to figure him out in our new guessing game!

We’re back for another day of the Pride of Detroit in-5 daily trivia game. Game instructions are at the bottom if you’re new to the game! Feel free to share your results in the comments and feedback in this Google Form.

Today’s Bucs Nation in-5 game​

If you can’t see the game due to Apple News or another service, click this game article.

Previous games​

Sunday, April 6, 2025
Saturday, April 5, 2025

Play more SB Nation in-5 trivia games​

NFL in-5
MLB in-5
MMA in-5

Bucs Nation in-5 instructions​

The goal of the game is to guess the Bucs player with the help of up to five clues. We’ll mix in BOTH ACTIVE AND RETIRED PLAYERS. It won’t be easy to figure it out in one or two guesses, but some of you might be able to nail it.

After you correctly guess the player, you can click “Share Results” to share how you did down in the comments and on social media. We won’t go into other details about the game as we’d like your feedback on it. How it plays, what you think of it, the difficulty level, and anything else you can think of that will help us improve this game. You can provide feedback in the comments of this article, or you can fill out this Google Form.

Enjoy!

Source: https://www.bucsnation.com/2025/4/7/24402869/sb-nation-buccaneers-daily-trivia-in-5

 

[Tampa Bay Buccaneers]

Can you guess this Bucs safety in today’s in-5 trivia game?

Think you can figure out which Bucs player we’re talking about? You’ll get five clues to figure him out in our new guessing game!

We’re back for another day of the Pride of Detroit in-5 daily trivia game. Game instructions are at the bottom if you’re new to the game! Feel free to share your results in the comments and feedback in this Google Form.

Today’s Bucs Nation in-5 game​

If you can’t see the game due to Apple News or another service, click this game article.

Previous games​

Monday, April 7, 2025
Sunday, April 6, 2025

Play more SB Nation in-5 trivia games​

NFL in-5
MLB in-5
MMA in-5

Bucs Nation in-5 instructions​

The goal of the game is to guess the Bucs player with the help of up to five clues. We’ll mix in BOTH ACTIVE AND RETIRED PLAYERS. It won’t be easy to figure it out in one or two guesses, but some of you might be able to nail it.

After you correctly guess the player, you can click “Share Results” to share how you did down in the comments and on social media. We won’t go into other details about the game as we’d like your feedback on it. How it plays, what you think of it, the difficulty level, and anything else you can think of that will help us improve this game. You can provide feedback in the comments of this article, or you can fill out this Google Form.

Enjoy!

Source: https://www.bucsnation.com/2025/4/8/24403637/sb-nation-buccaneers-daily-trivia-in-5

 

[Tampa Bay Buccaneers]

Buccaneers NFL Draft Target: EDGE Donovan Ezeiruaku, Boston College

Brian Fluharty-Imagn Images

Will the Bucs look to add to the pass rush in round 1?

One of the goals that the Buccaneers and general manager Jason Licht set out to accomplish this offseason was improving the team’s pass rush. While Tampa Bay’s pressure rate and sack total at the end of the year were actually good, they also had the third highest blitz percentage in the league and blitzed the second most in the league. That is largely due to the team’s inability to get home with just four guys.

Whenever a team has to blitz just to be able to get pressure as much as the Bucs did in 2024, it leaves the secondary exposed and the potential to give up big plays through the air certainly rises. So, the team went out in free agency and addressed the issue head on, signing veteran pass rusher Haason Reddick to a one-year deal. Reddick has had a long track record of success in the NFL, including four straight seasons with double digit sacks. That was until this past season when Reddick managed just one sack in 10 games with the New York Jets.

Photo by Cliff Welch/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images
Buccaneers pass rusher Haason Reddick

The Bucs are hoping Reddick can bounce back and return to form but if he can’t, they may have to take out an insurance policy. Enter Donovan Ezeiruaku.

Donovan Ezeiruaku’s Collegiate Career​

Ezeiruaku played for the Boston College Eagles for four seasons and was productive for most of his time there. After a solid first season, he came onto the scene in his second season with 8.5 sacks as well as three forced fumbles. The 2022 season earned him second team all ACC honors.

Ezeiruaku’s biggest year though was easily this past one. He was explosive and had 16.5 sacks which tied Harold Landry’s for most in a single season in Boston College history. He was the 2024 ACC defensive player of the year and also won the Ted Hendricks award as college football’s top defensive end. The award filled season topped off an impressive college career.

Pro Day and Scouting Combine​

At the NFL scouting combine, Ezeiruaku elected not to run the 40-yard dash or 10 yard split but did perform other drills such as the 3-cone which he recorded 6.94 seconds, and he also did the 20-yard shuttle which he did in 4.19 seconds. He did the broad and vertical jump, earning a 35.5” in the vertical and 9’11” in the broad. He also did 22 reps on the bench press.

Ezeiruaku was at the Boston College pro day but elected to not do any of the drills.

What Ezeiruaku can do for the Bucs in 2025​

In his rookie season, Ezeiruaku can kind of ease himself into playing in the NFL while also playing a role in the Bucs defense. With Haason Reddick and Yaya Diaby in the fold, Ezeiruaku likely wouldn’t be a starter on day one, instead slotting in as a rotational pass rusher who could see more and more snaps as the year goes on.

In the NFL nowadays, teams can never have enough good pass rushers. Offenses and quarterbacks are so good and without a consistent pass rush, it could be a long day for a defense. Having a rotation of pass rushers could help keep everyone fresh and productive, especially playing in the Florida heat.

Three-Year Outlook​

This is where the Bucs would really be hoping to get the most value out of Ezeiruaku. Drafting a pass rusher in the top 20 would be a serious investment and one that Tampa Bay would be counting on to pay off.

Photo by Scott Winters/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images

Three years from now, Ezeiruaku would have a real possibility of being the team’s top pass rusher and hopefully develop into one of the better ones in the entire NFL. He definitely knows how to get to the QB, so if he hits his ceiling there’s no reason not to think he would be able to rack up the sacks in the NFL.

Stock Report​

Ezeiruaku has a good chance of being a first-round pick with Tampa Bay at 19th overall being a real possibility. It wouldn’t be a complete shock if he ends up going before the Bucs are on the clock. Teams know good pass rushers are a must, and they usually have a lot of value in the first round.

There is a slight chance he could fall out of the first round and if that’s the case, he likely is one of the first names called on day two.

On The Clock…​

Alright Bucs Nation, it’s time for you to make the decision. Should Tampa Bay add Ezeiruaku to their pass rush? What do you think? Let us now in the comments and poll below!

Source: https://www.bucsnation.com/24404333...aku-boston-college-haason-reddick-todd-bowles

 

[Tampa Bay Buccaneers]

Can you guess this Bucs receiver in today’s in-5 trivia game?

Think you can figure out which Bucs player we’re talking about? You’ll get five clues to figure him out in our new guessing game!

We’re back for another day of the Pride of Detroit in-5 daily trivia game. Game instructions are at the bottom if you’re new to the game! Feel free to share your results in the comments and feedback in this Google Form.

Today’s Bucs Nation in-5 game​

If you can’t see the game due to Apple News or another service, click this game article.

Previous games​

Wednesday, April 9, 2025
Tuesday, April 8, 2025

Play more SB Nation in-5 trivia games​

NFL in-5
MLB in-5
MMA in-5

Bucs Nation in-5 instructions​

The goal of the game is to guess the Bucs player with the help of up to five clues. We’ll mix in BOTH ACTIVE AND RETIRED PLAYERS. It won’t be easy to figure it out in one or two guesses, but some of you might be able to nail it.

After you correctly guess the player, you can click “Share Results” to share how you did down in the comments and on social media. We won’t go into other details about the game as we’d like your feedback on it. How it plays, what you think of it, the difficulty level, and anything else you can think of that will help us improve this game. You can provide feedback in the comments of this article, or you can fill out this Google Form.

Enjoy!

Source: https://www.bucsnation.com/2025/4/10/24405257/sb-nation-buccaneers-daily-trivia-in-5

 

[Tampa Bay Buccaneers]

Can you guess this Bucs running back in today’s in-5 trivia game?

Think you can figure out which Bucs player we’re talking about? You’ll get five clues to figure him out in our new guessing game!

We’re back for another day of the Pride of Detroit in-5 daily trivia game. Game instructions are at the bottom if you’re new to the game! Feel free to share your results in the comments and feedback in this Google Form.

Today’s Bucs Nation in-5 game​

If you can’t see the game due to Apple News or another service, click this game article.

Previous games​

Tuesday, April 8, 2025
Monday, April 7, 2025

Play more SB Nation in-5 trivia games​

NFL in-5
MLB in-5
MMA in-5

Bucs Nation in-5 instructions​

The goal of the game is to guess the Bucs player with the help of up to five clues. We’ll mix in BOTH ACTIVE AND RETIRED PLAYERS. It won’t be easy to figure it out in one or two guesses, but some of you might be able to nail it.

After you correctly guess the player, you can click “Share Results” to share how you did down in the comments and on social media. We won’t go into other details about the game as we’d like your feedback on it. How it plays, what you think of it, the difficulty level, and anything else you can think of that will help us improve this game. You can provide feedback in the comments of this article, or you can fill out this Google Form.

Enjoy!

Source: https://www.bucsnation.com/2025/4/9/24404479/sb-nation-buccaneers-daily-trivia-in-5

 

[Tampa Bay Buccaneers]

Buccaneers NFL Draft Target: CB Darien Porter, Iowa State

Photo by Brooke Sutton/Getty Images

Will the Buccaneers go cornerback early in the draft?

The 2024 rendition of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers was a group that was peppered with injuries. While the ailments didn’t isolate themselves to any singular position group or side of the ball, the Buccaneers’ defensive backs were hit pretty hard. Every single member of the Bucs’ starting secondary failed to play in all 17 games, save for Zyon McCollum. The corner spot opposite him was manned by Jamel Dean, at times Tyrek Funderburk, occasionally Josh Hayes, for a limited time Bryce Hall even saw the field. All different names and faces but the constant theme was the depth or lack of depth was hurting Tampa’s defense.

Jamel Dean was a predicted cap casualty by some heading into this offseason but by all accounts, has secured himself at least one more year in Tampa Bay. With Dean remaining in the fold, the two starting cornerback spots projected to be locked up. The issue in Tampa is, for how long?

Jamel Dean has yet to play a full season’s worth of games in his NFL career— His personal best is 15, though he tends to linger around 13 per season. The Buccaneers chose to move off Carlton Davis last offseason, in a move that was somewhat controversial at the time. That decision may not have been the incorrect one on paper, however, it did expose the lack of depth the Bucs were able to field at the position. Davis, like Dean, has never played a full slate of games and he himself also missed a significant amount of time last season with the Detroit Lions.

Through the first phase of the offseason the Buccaneers have made an effort to address the need for depth at cornerback position— Re-signing Bryce Hall and bringing in free agent corner Kindle Vildor. Still, Todd Bowles, when asked about the group, admitted his pines for more depth.

Todd Bowles: "Crystal clear" Buccaneers need cornerback depth, will address in drafthttps://t.co/0H7P0jj40z pic.twitter.com/kxq7FCHd23

— Around The NFL (@AroundTheNFL) April 7, 2025​

The Buccaneers, through most projections figure to take a defense-heavy approach to this draft. Returning all 11 starters on the offensive side of the ball from a season ago, where the team’s offense (ranked top-5 in most major categories) was the bell cow for the team’s overall success, does lean into that thought process. The question becomes with holes at all three levels of the Todd Bowles’ defense, which portion(s) of the unit will he prioritize addressing? If cornerback ranks high on Tampa’s list Darien Porter may be a difficult prospect to ignore.

College Career​

Porter is a sixth-year senior— despite that, he does not have extensive time spent on task. Porter spent his first five years playing a limited role, mostly seeing reps on special teams exclusively. It wasn’t until last season that he flashed a sample of what he could do, Porter was Honorable Mention All-Big 12. In a display of athletic versatility, Porter played in 12 games, starting 7. He amassed 18 tackles and grabbed 3 INTs, while also finding his way to two blocked kicks— Something Porter has shown a propensity of doing as he has accounted for at least one blocked kick in every season since 2021.

NFL Draft Pre-game​

NFL Scouting Combine measurements and test results:

Height: 6’ 3’’

Weight: 195 lbs

Arms: 33 1/8’’

Hands: 9’’

40-yard dash: 4.3

Vert: 36.5”

Broad: 10’11”

At 6’3” tall nearly, Porter’s ability to a 4.3 40-yard dash will grab a lot of attention from potential suitors. The athleticism is obvious, Porter began his college career as a wide receiver before transitioning to cornerback and has spent enough time of special teams to show the traits of an NFL player— All of which were on display in Indianapolis.

Iowa State CB Darien Porter ran a 4.30 at 6'2" | 195 LBS. Freak

pic.twitter.com/aAZoKmkeDM

— PFF College (@PFF_College) February 28, 2025​

Athleticism doesn’t necessarily guarantee production but, it does entice coaches and teams to take chances on guys— Some more than others.

Darien Porter, as a fit for the Buccaneers​

Photo by Cliff Welch/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images

History doesn’t always repeat itself but in NFL programs it often does. Todd Bowles and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers have a past pattern of interest in this type of prospect. Porter is 6’3” and runs a 4.3, but has the drawbacks of being raw at the position.

Jamel Dean, a familiar modern-day face to Bucs’ fans, once measured in at 6’1’’ and ran a 4.3 40-yard dash, with a nearly identical board jump to Porter. How quickly does coincidence become a pattern?

Zyon McCollum is a 6’2” corner who ran a 4.33 40-yard dash— Sean Murphy-Bunting, to a slightly lesser extent, also fits this build. Todd Bowles and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers certainly have a ‘type’ and Darien Porter is poured from the mold, The difference between Porter and the Buccaneers’ two starting corners is neither Dean nor McCollum were particularly high-round selections. Dean was drafted by the Buccaneers in the third round, while McCollum wasn’t selected until the fifth round (Murphy-Bunting, round two). The subsequent production Todd Bowles and the Buccaneers have gotten out of those two players speaks to the player development that has been occurring at One Buc Place, however, it is much easier to take a developmental player in the mid-later rounds of the draft.

If the Buccaneers were to take a chance Porter, they would be drafting him to start in 2026. For the 2025 season, Porter would likely be the Buccaneers third/fourth option at cornerback. While he’d provide and instant impact on special teams, he would only see the field as a defender due to injury. His ability to immediately play special teams at a high level, in combination with his impressive athletic traits make him a very intriguing prospect for the Bucs. Porter offers them a chance to develop a long-term starting option behind their current duo, while still seeing early dividends on their draft pick.

For more Bucs coverage check us out here:

@Will_Walsh_NFL(X)

@Bucs_Nation(X)

@Will_Walsh_NFL(YouTube)

Source: https://www.bucsnation.com/2025/4/1...et-cb-darien-porter-iowa-state-tampa-bay-bucs

 

[Tampa Bay Buccaneers]

Can you guess this Bucs lineman in today’s in-5 trivia game?

Think you can figure out which Bucs player we’re talking about? You’ll get five clues to figure him out in our new guessing game!

We’re back for another day of the Pride of Detroit in-5 daily trivia game. Game instructions are at the bottom if you’re new to the game! Feel free to share your results in the comments and feedback in this Google Form.

Today’s Bucs Nation in-5 game​

If you can’t see the game due to Apple News or another service, click this game article.

Previous games​

Thursday, April 10, 2025
Wednesday, April 9, 2025

Play more SB Nation in-5 trivia games​

NFL in-5
MLB in-5
MMA in-5

Bucs Nation in-5 instructions​

The goal of the game is to guess the Bucs player with the help of up to five clues. We’ll mix in BOTH ACTIVE AND RETIRED PLAYERS. It won’t be easy to figure it out in one or two guesses, but some of you might be able to nail it.

After you correctly guess the player, you can click “Share Results” to share how you did down in the comments and on social media. We won’t go into other details about the game as we’d like your feedback on it. How it plays, what you think of it, the difficulty level, and anything else you can think of that will help us improve this game. You can provide feedback in the comments of this article, or you can fill out this Google Form.

Enjoy!

Source: https://www.bucsnation.com/2025/4/11/24406010/sb-nation-buccaneers-daily-trivia-in-5

 

[Tampa Bay Buccaneers]

Perception could be reality for the Buccaneers on draft night

Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images

Some say the Bucs are going defense first, and GM Jason Licht hits on that.

As the 2025 NFL Draft approaches, thoughts and opinions swirl around the Tampa Bay Buccaneers’ strategy, with many expecting a defensive focus in the first round. The team’s 2024 defensive performance provides context for this perception.

Last season, the Bucs struggled against the pass, ranking 29th in the NFL by allowing 243.9 yards per game through the air. Their pass rush was inconsistent despite their 46 total sacks and players like Calijah Kancey (7.5 sacks) and Vita Vea (7.0 sacks) helped boost that to some degree. Injuries plagued the secondary, with cornerbacks like Zyon McCollum and Jamel Dean along with safety Antoine Winfield, Jr. battling health issues, exposing depth problems. Overall, they allowed 341.8 total yards per game and 22.6 points per contest, signaling room for improvement.

General Manager Jason Licht, however, always keeping his cards close said earlier this week that many assumptions the Bucs will be going defense first could be right.

“Sometimes, people think you’re playing games and you’re trying to throw people off the scent and you’re really not [laughs],” Licht said when asked about the perception the Buccaneers will be addressing the defense early on in the draft. “It really truly depends on how it’s going to fall. I’ve got Todd [Bowles] excited about a lot of offensive players and we have a good offense but we can make it even better. We do need help on defense and it would be fun to see us improve there and I think we will without really making any huge changes. I think we’re going to be better, but obviously, getting some new players in there is going to make it a lot better. It really truly depends on how it’s going to fall.”

Licht’s comments suggest flexibility, acknowledging defensive needs while hinting at offensive temptations.

Fans and analysts point to the secondary or edge rush as prime targets, given last year’s struggles. Yet, Licht’s openness to ‘how it’s going to fall’ implies the Bucs could surprise everyone, balancing immediate needs with potentially long-term value.

Source: https://www.bucsnation.com/2025/4/1...-be-reality-for-the-buccaneers-on-draft-night

 

[Tampa Bay Buccaneers]

Can you guess this Bucs tight end in today’s in-5 trivia game?

Think you can figure out which Bucs player we’re talking about? You’ll get five clues to figure him out in our new guessing game!

We’re back for another day of the Pride of Detroit in-5 daily trivia game. Game instructions are at the bottom if you’re new to the game! Feel free to share your results in the comments and feedback in this Google Form.

Today’s Bucs Nation in-5 game​

If you can’t see the game due to Apple News or another service, click this game article.

Previous games​

Friday, April 11, 2025
Thursday, April 10, 2025

Play more SB Nation in-5 trivia games​

NFL in-5
MLB in-5
MMA in-5

Bucs Nation in-5 instructions​

The goal of the game is to guess the Bucs player with the help of up to five clues. We’ll mix in BOTH ACTIVE AND RETIRED PLAYERS. It won’t be easy to figure it out in one or two guesses, but some of you might be able to nail it.

After you correctly guess the player, you can click “Share Results” to share how you did down in the comments and on social media. We won’t go into other details about the game as we’d like your feedback on it. How it plays, what you think of it, the difficulty level, and anything else you can think of that will help us improve this game. You can provide feedback in the comments of this article, or you can fill out this Google Form.

Enjoy!

Source: https://www.bucsnation.com/2025/4/12/24406767/sb-nation-buccaneers-daily-trivia-in-5

 

[Tampa Bay Buccaneers]

Can you guess this Bucs cornerback in today’s in-5 trivia game?

Think you can figure out which Bucs player we’re talking about? You’ll get five clues to figure him out in our new guessing game!

We’re back for another day of the Pride of Detroit in-5 daily trivia game. Game instructions are at the bottom if you’re new to the game! Feel free to share your results in the comments and feedback in this Google Form.

Today’s Bucs Nation in-5 game​

If you can’t see the game due to Apple News or another service, click this game article.

Previous games​

Saturday, April 12, 2025
Friday, April 11, 2025

Play more SB Nation in-5 trivia games​

NFL in-5
MLB in-5
MMA in-5

Bucs Nation in-5 instructions​

The goal of the game is to guess the Bucs player with the help of up to five clues. We’ll mix in BOTH ACTIVE AND RETIRED PLAYERS. It won’t be easy to figure it out in one or two guesses, but some of you might be able to nail it.

After you correctly guess the player, you can click “Share Results” to share how you did down in the comments and on social media. We won’t go into other details about the game as we’d like your feedback on it. How it plays, what you think of it, the difficulty level, and anything else you can think of that will help us improve this game. You can provide feedback in the comments of this article, or you can fill out this Google Form.

Enjoy!

Source: https://www.bucsnation.com/2025/4/13/24407338/sb-nation-buccaneers-daily-trivia-in-5

 

[Tampa Bay Buccaneers]

Buccaneers NFL Draft Target: Demetrius Knight Jr., South Carolina

Photo by Johnnie Izquierdo/Getty Images

Could the Bucs’ heir apparent to Lavonte David be Knight?

The Buccaneers’ linebacker corps got consistently abused all last season, and the long-term outlook remains grim heading into 2025.

While Lavonte David is still good, being in year 14 at 35 years old sets a clear need for expectations on his play moving forward. K.J. Britt, one of the league’s worst at the position, is long gone, while third-year player SirVocea Dennis is talented but needs to stay healthy.

Some veterans in the waning stages of their career, like Anthony Walker and Deion Jones, offer some depth but there’s a critical necessity for someone in the room with definable upside.

Could Demetrius Knight Jr. provide that hope? Let’s explore.

DEMETRIUS KNIGHT’S COLLEGIATE CAREER​

Knight went through an extensive journey with his collegiate career.

A 3-star recruit and freaky athlete out of Locust Grove, GA, he lettered in football as a dual-threat QB, as well as in other sports like baseball and basketball, before converting to linebacker at Georgia Tech.

He played in 36 games in four years as a backup for the Yellow Jackets before deciding to redshirt and transfer in 2022. During that time, he totaled 51 tackles, 2 forced fumbles, and a sack.

He found his way to Charlotte to prove himself as a starter and immediately made an impact by earning first-team All-AAC in 2023. Starting all 12 games, he compiled 96 tackles (5.5 for loss), 3 interceptions (one returned for a TD), 4 pass breakups, and 1.5 sacks. He did all of that while providing for his wife and two children, going as far as to run DoorDash orders after games.

In his final year of eligibility, Knight decided to transfer once again to a Power 5 program, this time in the SEC with South Carolina. With his starting ability established, he again made splash plays throughout the season with 82 tackles (8 for loss), 3 forced fumbles (led the team), 2 sacks, and 1 interception.

He did participate in South Carolina’s bowl game, as well as the Senior Bowl.

Powerful message from Demetrius Knight Jr. on why he decided to play in the Citrus Bowl with @GamecockFB:

"I have kids. I didn't want my daughter or son to ask me why I didn't play in the last game. I don't want to give them an excuse. If you start it, finish it." pic.twitter.com/s7hTG2oLyC

— Julia Westerman (@JuliaWesterman) December 20, 2024​

PRO DAY AND SCOUTING COMBINE​

Knight did the full assortment of testing at NFL Scouting Combine and did well for himself.

Measuring 6-foot-1, 235 pounds with 32 ⅝” arms and 10” hands, Knight possesses ideal size for middle linebacker at the pro level, and he demonstrated his ability to use it consistently on the field. He also showed off his strength with 22 reps on the bench press.

He did well in all aspects of testing, which tracks with his overall athletic profile. He ran a 4.58 40-yard dash with a 1.58 10-yard split and 2.66 20-yard split – all very strong numbers for his position.

Perfectly fine explosiveness testing (31 ½” vertical and 9-foot-10 broad) and good agility testing (4.25 short shuttle, 7.12 3-cone) put the cap on a strong day for the 24-year-old prospect.

Demetrius Knight Jr. is a LB prospect in the 2025 draft class. He scored an unofficial 8.52 #RAS out of a possible 10.00. This ranked 431 out of 2908 LB from 1987 to 2025.

Splits projected, will have a full card pending official times.https://t.co/9MJb3afPy7 pic.twitter.com/EiHhyQSciT

— Kent Lee Platte (@MathBomb) February 28, 2025​

Knight wisely stood on all of his numbers at South Carolina’s pro day on March 18, opting just to verify measurements and interview with attending teams.

WHAT KNIGHT CAN DO FOR THE BUCS IN 2025​

Knight would figure to fit in prominently into Tampa’s defensive rotation.

With his impressive size, demeanor, and instincts, Knight is built to contribute in Tampa’s traditional middle linebacker role. Todd Bowles’s “moneybacker”, more akin to a traditional WILL linebacker, is a better fit for both David and Dennis, so that should afford Knight some ability to get into the game in various configurations, especially on early downs.

Knight is impressive at sorting through traffic to track down ball carriers, either with his maneuvering skills or using his violent hands to disengage, stacking and shedding blockers to get into the action. Even more importantly, he plays controlled and patient football – something we were not used to seeing from someone like Devin White, whose freelancing was often a detriment.

#SouthCarolina LB Demetrius Knight, Jr

6-foot-2, 235

Physical play demeanor. Stack/shed at the POA. Sees it fast to slip/evade blockers. Strikes on contact. Zone discipline in coverage. Splash plays on the tape. pic.twitter.com/SsiUGplSa8

— Matt Bowen (@MattBowen41) April 6, 2025​

The coverage aspect is still a work in progress, but he’s proven to at least be competent in various zone drops so he should be far from a liability in that regard. With names like Dennis, David, and Walker, there are bodies better equipped to handle those responsibilities in the short-term but he’s capable of getting there.

And at the least, Knight has a lot of special teams experience throughout college and should be an immediate boon there while he earns his snaps on defense.

THREE-YEAR OUTLOOK​

When it comes to floors, this is about as safe a prospect as you’ll find this year.

Knight is a high-character, high-energy player with impressive intelligence and feel for the position. He’s not a crazy athlete but he’s certainly good enough, and his on-field time will only be limited by how quickly he can pick up on the intricacies of Tampa’s notoriously complex defense.

The Bucs would have to feel good about that capability to adapt fast since he’s already 24 years old, fairly older than the normal prospect and therefore immediately shortened in his prime years. That’s always a little risky when a player will already be pushing 30 by the end of his rookie deal.

It is worth questioning how close Knight is to maxing out his potential already.

His movement skills might not be quite good enough to become a reliable coverage man – adequate for sure but not lock-down. He’s also had limited production as a blitzer, which he’ll be asked to do plenty of in this defense, so you’d have to hope his translatable traits in that area can be unlocked with better coaching.

Demetrius Knight Jr. is a ball of lightning at LB ️

He explodes to top speed and tackles well in pursuit. Strong, long build (6’1, 248lbs) allows him to stack & shed blocks and hit HARD.

Coverage instincts are sound, but some hip tightness limits him. Day 2 talent. pic.twitter.com/spDW9G0Ovq

— NFL Draft Files (@NFL_DF) February 25, 2025​

he answers to those primary questions will go a long way in determining if Knight is simply a steady, if not unspectacular, contributor throughout his rookie deal or he can become a true difference maker.

STOCK REPORT​

The word on Knight is generally mid-to-late Day 2, as he’s firmly considered a Round 2 or 3 pick.

The praise for his character and feel for the position is near-universal, as are the jeers about his age and non-elite athletic profile. Here’s what the 33rd Team’s Kyle Crabbs had to say about Knight:

“Knight Jr. projects best as a MIKE linebacker in a pressure-oriented system. His game is predicated on aggressiveness in many phases. Whether he is involved in triggering as a blitzer or dropping to landmarks in fire zones, Knight Jr. will be most impactful on passing downs with these concepts.”

Here’s a take from an anonymous NFC scout, per NFL.com’s Lance Zierlein:

“I didn’t find much that I didn’t like about [Knight]. He might get dinged for being a six-year player, but that Alabama game shows you everything you need to see.”

ON THE CLOCK...​

What say you, Bucs Nation? Would like to see Knight drafted as Lavonte David’s eventual replacement? Discuss in the comments and vote in the poll below!

Source: https://www.bucsnation.com/2025/4/1...etrius-knight-jr-south-carolina-lavonte-david

 

[Tampa Bay Buccaneers]

Can you guess this Bucs running back in today’s in-5 trivia game?

Think you can figure out which Bucs player we’re talking about? You’ll get five clues to figure him out in our new guessing game!

We’re back for another day of the Pride of Detroit in-5 daily trivia game. Game instructions are at the bottom if you’re new to the game! Feel free to share your results in the comments and feedback in this Google Form.

Today’s Bucs Nation in-5 game​

If you can’t see the game due to Apple News or another service, click this game article.

Previous games​

Sunday, April 13, 2025
Saturday, April 12, 2025

Play more SB Nation in-5 trivia games​

NFL in-5
MLB in-5
MMA in-5

Bucs Nation in-5 instructions​

The goal of the game is to guess the Bucs player with the help of up to five clues. We’ll mix in BOTH ACTIVE AND RETIRED PLAYERS. It won’t be easy to figure it out in one or two guesses, but some of you might be able to nail it.

After you correctly guess the player, you can click “Share Results” to share how you did down in the comments and on social media. We won’t go into other details about the game as we’d like your feedback on it. How it plays, what you think of it, the difficulty level, and anything else you can think of that will help us improve this game. You can provide feedback in the comments of this article, or you can fill out this Google Form.

Enjoy!

Source: https://www.bucsnation.com/2025/4/14/24407970/sb-nation-buccaneers-daily-trivia-in-5

 

[Tampa Bay Buccaneers]

Can you guess this Bucs linebacker in today’s in-5 trivia game?

Think you can figure out which Bucs player we’re talking about? You’ll get five clues to figure him out in our new guessing game!

We’re back for another day of the Pride of Detroit in-5 daily trivia game. Game instructions are at the bottom if you’re new to the game! Feel free to share your results in the comments and feedback in this Google Form.

Today’s Bucs Nation in-5 game​

If you can’t see the game due to Apple News or another service, click this game article.

Previous games​

Monday, April 14, 2025
Sunday, April 13, 2025

Play more SB Nation in-5 trivia games​

NFL in-5
MLB in-5
MMA in-5

Bucs Nation in-5 instructions​

The goal of the game is to guess the Bucs player with the help of up to five clues. We’ll mix in BOTH ACTIVE AND RETIRED PLAYERS. It won’t be easy to figure it out in one or two guesses, but some of you might be able to nail it.

After you correctly guess the player, you can click “Share Results” to share how you did down in the comments and on social media. We won’t go into other details about the game as we’d like your feedback on it. How it plays, what you think of it, the difficulty level, and anything else you can think of that will help us improve this game. You can provide feedback in the comments of this article, or you can fill out this Google Form.

Enjoy!

Source: https://www.bucsnation.com/2025/4/15/24408768/sb-nation-buccaneers-daily-trivia-in-5

 

[Tampa Bay Buccaneers]

Can you guess this Bucs defensive tackle in today’s in-5 trivia game?

Think you can figure out which Bucs player we’re talking about? You’ll get five clues to figure him out in our new guessing game!

We’re back for another day of the Pride of Detroit in-5 daily trivia game. Game instructions are at the bottom if you’re new to the game! Feel free to share your results in the comments and feedback in this Google Form.

Today’s Bucs Nation in-5 game​

If you can’t see the game due to Apple News or another service, click this game article.

Previous games​

Tuesday, April 15, 2025
Monday, April 14, 2025

Play more SB Nation in-5 trivia games​

NFL in-5
MLB in-5
MMA in-5

Bucs Nation in-5 instructions​

The goal of the game is to guess the Bucs player with the help of up to five clues. We’ll mix in BOTH ACTIVE AND RETIRED PLAYERS. It won’t be easy to figure it out in one or two guesses, but some of you might be able to nail it.

After you correctly guess the player, you can click “Share Results” to share how you did down in the comments and on social media. We won’t go into other details about the game as we’d like your feedback on it. How it plays, what you think of it, the difficulty level, and anything else you can think of that will help us improve this game. You can provide feedback in the comments of this article, or you can fill out this Google Form.

Enjoy!

Source: https://www.bucsnation.com/2025/4/16/24409604/sb-nation-buccaneers-daily-trivia-in-5

 

[Tampa Bay Buccaneers]

Buccaneers NFL Draft Target: S Jonas Sanker, Virginia

Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images

Could Tampa Bay look to add to their secondary in the draft?

The NFL draft is right around the corner and the Buccaneers will be on the clock at 19th overall before we know it. Tampa Bay will be able to fill some of the holes on defense during the draft and one of the spots with questions is the secondary.

While the Bucs have some talented players, they could always use some more depth. That’s where a guy like Virginia’s Jonas Sanker could make a lot of sense.

Jonas Sanker’s Collegiate Career​

Playing quarterback, running back and safety in High School, Sanker has been at Virginia his entire college career as a safety. However, it wasn’t until his second season that he really made a name for himself. He was a consistent starter for the Cavaliers in 2022 and notched 63 total tackles which was second on the team as well as an interception and forced fumble. 2023 was even better as he led the team in total tackles with 107 as well as three forced fumbles and was named first team all ACC.

Photo by Chris Bernacchi/Diamond Images via Getty Images

He followed up his 2023 with a solid senior season, racking up 98 total tackles and an interception, once again being named first team all ACC. He has shown over the years to have a knack for finding the football, having four forced fumbles and five fumbles recovered in his career.

Pro Day and Scouting Combine​

Sanker ran the 40-yard dash at the NFL Scouting Combine in 4.48 seconds and did the 10-yard split in 1.51 seconds. He also performed the vertical jump and broad jump, recording a 36.5” on the vertical and 10’8” on the broad. He even did the bench press and did 12 reps.

Sanker performed at the Virginia pro day and added a three-cone number at 7.06 seconds.

What Sanker can do for the Bucs in 2025​

You can never have enough depth and that is what Sanker would likely represent in his rookie season. The Bucs have a solid group of safeties with Antoine Winfield Jr at the top and the team appears to be moving Tykee Smith to a safety role as well. With both of those guys leading the way, Sanker would not play a ton, but that would mean he’s able to sit and learn behind some of the best while also potentially getting thrown into the starting lineup if injuries were to occur.

Even though Sanker is likely a safety in the NFL, he could definitely see playing time in the slot where he has played in the past. If he’s able to be comfortable there, perhaps he sees a bigger role than expected at the nickel corner spot in 2025.

Three-Year Outlook​

Three seasons from now, the best-case scenario might be Sanker developing as a nickel corner and being able to stick there. In today’s NFL, the nickel corner is essentially a starter and with the Bucs safety room pretty much intact and relatively young, Sanker will likely be able to find a spot for himself in the nickel or as a depth safety.

Sanker likely won’t wow many people throughout his career, but he seems like someone who could still carve out a pretty nice career for himself and be a useful player for a defense for years to come.

Stock Report​

Sanker appears primed to be a late day two, early day three selection. All it takes is for one team to fall in love with a player to draft him earlier than expected though so there is always a possibility he goes before Tampa Bay is comfortable taking him.

On The Clock...​

Now it’s your time to make the decision Bucs Nation. Do you think the Buccaneers should select Jonas Sanker to add to their safety room? Let us know in the comments and poll below!

Source: https://www.bucsnation.com/2025/4/1...-sanker-virginia-todd-bowles-antoine-winfield

 

[Tampa Bay Buccaneers]

Can you guess this Bucs QB in today’s in-5 trivia game?

Think you can figure out which Bucs player we’re talking about? You’ll get five clues to figure him out in our new guessing game!

We’re back for another day of the Pride of Detroit in-5 daily trivia game. Game instructions are at the bottom if you’re new to the game! Feel free to share your results in the comments and feedback in this Google Form.

Today’s Bucs Nation in-5 game​

If you can’t see the game due to Apple News or another service, click this game article.

Previous games​

Wednesday, April 16, 2025
Tuesday, April 15, 2025

Play more SB Nation in-5 trivia games​

NFL in-5
MLB in-5
MMA in-5

Bucs Nation in-5 instructions​

The goal of the game is to guess the Bucs player with the help of up to five clues. We’ll mix in BOTH ACTIVE AND RETIRED PLAYERS. It won’t be easy to figure it out in one or two guesses, but some of you might be able to nail it.

After you correctly guess the player, you can click “Share Results” to share how you did down in the comments and on social media. We won’t go into other details about the game as we’d like your feedback on it. How it plays, what you think of it, the difficulty level, and anything else you can think of that will help us improve this game. You can provide feedback in the comments of this article, or you can fill out this Google Form.

Enjoy!

Source: https://www.bucsnation.com/2025/4/17/24410364/sb-nation-buccaneers-daily-trivia-in-5