Bold Predictions For Every Buccaneers’ Rookie

By all accounts, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers had an excellent draft class. Not only did they get one of the perceived top five players in the entire draft, but they got talent and value throughout the process. It has been rave reviews from big name analyst to lowly Bucs Report writers.

But how good can this group really be? Is this the type of draft class that is the foundation of a Super Bowl run? I don’t think it’s crazy to say that at all.

So before these guys suit up for their first training camp, I want to get my expectations out there. These may come off as hot takes, but these are things I genuinely believe will happen. Here are my bold predictions for every Buccaneers rookie.

Rueben Bain will be an All-Pro

This one might not come to fruition and his rookie year, but I truly believe it’s only a matter of time. Bain will be the Bucs version of Aiden Hutchinson or Maxx Crosby. A true game record that will be feared across the league.

Combination of power and usage and bend are a rare blend. He has all the makings to be a plus pass rusher in the NFL, as well as as a quality run defender. The sky truly is the limit for Bain.

Josiah Trotter will have 5+ sacks as a rookie

We talk about Trotter and his shortcomings in pass coverage. This is fair; it’s an area of his game that needs to improve. However, there are other ways to make an impact on passing downs.

Trotter is very explosive attacking down hill. This shows up when used as a blitzer. And with as physical as he is, there won’t be many running backs who can stop him in his tracks.

I predict that the Bucs will take some coverage responsibility off Trotter by using him pretty regularly attacking the quarterback.

Ted Hurst will make a Pro Bowl

Right now, it’s a pretty crowded wide receiver room. I expect Hurst to get on the field regularly as a rookie and start to get his feet wet. In a few years, I believe that he’ll really blow up as a starter.

Hurst has great size and speed. He can stretch the field and with his catch radius he can pull down anything thrown into his stratosphere. Big play threats who can score a lot of touchdowns project nicely to the NFL and when Husrt is asked to carry more of the load then I believe he’ll shine in a big way.

Keionte Scott will be the spark on defense this year

Some guys just have that “it factor”. If there’s a big play being made then you know that those players were somehow at the heart of it. I believe Scott will be one of those guys.

Don’t be shocked if he leads the team in interceptions. He’ll force fumbles with violent collisions and he will blow up ball carriers in the backfield. If a defense that was looking for a spark last year, I expect Scott to be that this season as the starting nickel.

DeMonte Capehart won’t see a second contract with the Buccaneers

Life isn’t all sunshine and rainbows. While Capehart might fill a role as a rotation run defender, I wouldn’t get too attached. I don’t see a long term future for him with the Buccaneers.

Capehart is an older rookie who will be in his late 20s at the end of his rookie deal. Despite that, he’s still pretty raw with his technique. I love a good role player as much as the next guy, but I’m not sure I can call Capehart more than a niche run stuffer.

Billy Schrauth will get a look as a starter

Cody Mauch is set to be a free agent after this year. Ben Bredeson has a potential out after this season. And with a lot of players coming up on contract extensions, I don’t know that both of these guys will be back in 2027.

Schrauth is a promising prospect. He has legitimate power at the point of attack and could be an asset in the running game while not being a liability in pass protection. Don’t be shocked if he is competing for a starting job after this season.

Bauer Sharp will be tight end two as a rookie

I think we all expect Sharp to make the Bucs final 53 man roster. He’s competing with Devin Culp for the final tight end job on the roster and to be frank Culp was a lottery ticket that didn’t pay off. Sharp winning that battle is all but a foregone conclusion.

However, I believe that Sharp will also beat out Payne Durham as the primary backup tight end. Again, Durham isn’t anything special. Sharp brings more athletic upside and a legitimate effort as a run blocker. If not out of the gate, by year’s end, Sharp will replace Durham in the lineup.