The Bucks geared up for the second day of their rookie minicamp on Saturday, May 11, again under humid conditions at the team’s AdventHealth Training Center. All members of Tampa Bay’s 2024 draft class participated in the second day of rookie minicamp.That includes running back Bucky Irving, the team’s third-round pick, and guard Elijah Klein Both sixth-rounders from Tampa Bay signed rookie contracts on Friday.
Here are some of Pewter Report’s observations from the second day of Bucks rookie minicamp.
2 Bucks rookie gained weight
The Bucks took a chance on several undersized players from this year’s draft class. Devin Culp, a seventh-round tight end, weighed 231 pounds at the NFL Scouting Combine and his lack of size at 6-foot-3 was one of the reasons he slipped in the draft. However, Tampa Bay was pleased to see that he had gained some weight since March, reporting he was 245 pounds. This added weight will definitely help him in the trenches as a run blocker and in pass protection.
“I’m pretty happy with my weight right now,” Culp said. “I’m sitting at about 245, almost 250. If I can maintain and manage between 240 and 250, I think I’ll know I’m in a good spot.” Of course, you don’t want to get too high. I want to take advantage of my speed and quickness. There are some big boys in this league that are on the precipice, so we have to make sure we stay in the lead. ”
Bucs ILB Karen DeLoach – Photo by Cliff Welch/PR
Culp has gained about 10 pounds from his starting weight in Washington last year, and will work with his coaches and strength and conditioning staff to reach an optimal weight that won’t slow him down.
“I was about 235 years old. [at Washington]” Culp said. “In the future, I’m going to make a plan to see where they want me to be in terms of weight management. Whether they want me to stay below 240 or 240, 238 , or more.”
Bucs undrafted free agent linebacker Karen DeLoach went undrafted due to her size. The Florida State star measured in at 5-foot-11 and 210 pounds at the combine in March. However, he has already gained weight since then.
“I was 216 at my pro day and I’m going to be 220,” DeLoach said. “So all I have to do is get to 220 and do my part wherever I’m needed.”
Legendary Bucs linebackers Derrick Brooks and Lavonte David weighed just 220 pounds, so DeLoach, who also ran a 4.47 in the 40-yard dash, convinced the coaching staff that he was worthy of a roster spot. Prove it, just like he did on the Seminoles defense.
Graham Burton is a very comfortable playing center
Bucks C Graham Burton – Photo by Cliff Welch/PR
Bucks coaches and personnel personnel were amazed at how quickly first-round pick Graham Burton rose to power during rookie minicamp practices. An All-ACC left tackle at Duke the past few seasons, Barton began his career with the Blue Devils by playing center as a true freshman in 2020. That year, Barton started five games at center and seemed to settle into the position quickly given his background.
Going from offensive tackle to center or guard, where there is much more open space for linemen to work against the inside edge rusher, can be a very difficult transition. The reason is that the defensive tackles line up just a few inches apart and as a result, there is no space on the perimeter to work with, so the action has to happen faster on the inside. Playing inside the offensive line is just like playing inside a phone booth.
However, given the fact that Barton has past experience in addition to his outstanding athletic ability, the Bucs have Ali Marpet, Alex Cappa, Robert Heinsey, Luke Goedeke, and Cody Mauch in college. He used to be an offensive tackle, but was moved inside as a rookie in Tampa Bay. The amount of early quickness Barton showed during the first few practices of rookie minicamp led teams to believe he could play as a center in the NFL, especially with his high football IQ and intelligence from playing at Duke. I was convinced.
Great Moments from Bucks Minicamp Practice – Day 2
One of the players that stood out on the second day of Tampa Bay’s rookie minicamp was second-round pick Chris Braswell. The 6-foot-3, 255-pound outside linebacker has stepped into the role early despite having only two days of practice without pads and without the rest of the team on the field. It looks like.
On Saturday, he displayed some of the traits that appeal to the Bucks. He looked very fast and smooth during bag drills, but showed good as soon as the team moved to 11-on-11. On the first snap, he crushed tight end Tanner Taula with a two-handed thrust. shows some of the power of his game.
Bucks OLB Jose Ramirez – Photo by Cliff Welch/PR
Undrafted free agent defensive tackle Judge Culpepper also stood out during bag drills, as did 2023 sixth-round pick Jose Ramirez. Ramirez looks much more fluid than he did last year as a rookie, and the work he’s done on his body this offseason is quickly showing.
Staying on defense, one of the big plays of the day came from linebacker B.J. Davis, a tryout player from East Carolina. On 11-on-11, he stepped in front of the pass and reversed it for a pick-six.
Offensively, it was interesting to see how the Bucs plan to use seventh-round tight end Devin Culp. The offense ran like a 3×1, with three receivers out wide and Culp lined up away from the formation. This is similar to how the Rams used Gerald Everett and Tyler Higbee in the past, and Tampa Bay could use Culp’s speed.
One of the receivers in these 3×1 formations was Jalen McMillan, who was, of course, a teammate of Culp’s in Washington. The tight end spoke to local media before Saturday’s practice and said he feels safe having McMillan with him as the two former Huskies transition to the NFL. Naturally, the two were roommates at rookie minicamp.
Bucs rookie tight end Devin Culp says there’s definitely some comfort in having Washington teammate Jalen McMillan with him here in Tampa. pic.twitter.com/4kd8pd6ONe
— Pewter Report 🏴☠️ (@PewterReport) May 11, 2024
Tampa Bay’s rookie running back was active in the passing game on Saturday as well. Fourth-round pick Bucky Irving made a particularly spectacular catch, crossing the middle of the field and stretching out for a wide throw.
DJ Williams, an undrafted free agent from Arizona State, also had great hands at 11-for-11. The 6-foot, 225-pound back wasn’t much of a receiving threat in college, catching just 18 passes in five years between Auburn, Florida and Arizona State. If he stays on the 53-man roster or practice squad and has a chance to break out, the Lake Placid native will be able to serve as a pass catcher while still serving as a runner when the pads are on. will need to continue to prove its worth.
Pewter Report’s Bailey Adams contributed to this report
