After kicking off the preseason with a 27-17 home loss to the Steelers last Friday, the Bucks will be back on the field for more preseason action Saturday night at MetLife Stadium. The new Jets will host after the two teams faced each other on the practice field last Wednesday.
The Bucks have been battling for positions all over the field, and Saturday’s game will be the next big opportunity for players in the fight.
With that in mind, here’s one Buccaneer to watch at each position when Tampa Bay takes on New York in Week 2 of preseason action. We’ll look at the offensive side of the ball, then cover defense and special teams.
Defensive Line: Logan Hall
Bucks DT Logan Hall – Photo Credit: Cliff Welch/PR
Logan Hall is Last week’s version of this list, and there’s a reason he’s on repeat this week. He played just 11 snaps against the Steelers but put in a quiet performance. Pro Football Focus gave him a 55.8 rating on the night, and assuming he can do a little better against the Jets, the Bucks need to expect more from him. The second-round pick’s debut season in 2022 was largely unsuccessful, as he was largely ineffective as a rotation pawn despite occasional brilliance.
In 2023, Tampa Bay is looking to Hall to serve as a starter. While he’ll play next to Vita Bear and Kariya Kansi (when he’s healthy), the former Houston Cougar will become a faster, pass-rushing defensive lineman for Todd Bowles and his staff. need to contribute to rewarding the shift in He’s had to put on weight in the offseason, but there’s still room to really start translating his growth onto the field. Perhaps it will start Saturday night.
Outside Linebacker: Marquise Watts
Ahead of the Bucks’ preseason opener against the Steelers, manager Todd Bowles said the outside linebacker position would be one of the toughest when deciding to cut staff. And that was before undrafted free agent Marquise Watts finished as Tampa Bay’s top defender. The former Charlotte standout had 23 snaps in his NFL debut, a quarterback hit and a forced fumble along the way, and scored 92.1 overall in Pro Football Focus. He posted 67.2 runs defense, 73.9 tackles, 94.3 passes rushing and 61.4 coverage, likely making Bowles’ roster reduction decision even more difficult than before.
The Bucks’ top four outside linebackers are all set, with Shaq Barrett, Joe Tryon-Soyinka, Anthony Nelson and Yaya Diaby all safe. Watts has stiff competition to win if he wants to earn a potential OLB5 role and a spot on Day One’s 53-man roster. He will need to hold off fellow rookies Jose Ramirez, Hamilcar Rashed and Cam Gil. Recorded 1.5 sacks in recovery from leg injury It cost him everything last season. Whether Watts can replicate his performance against New York will be interesting as Saturday’s game unfolds.
Inside Linebacker: KJ Bullitt
It was a middling performance for KJ Britt in the preseason opener, but he played a key role for the Tampa Bay defense, whose starting group was suspended. He started alongside rookie Sir Vosia Dennis and led in the pre-match huddle. His four tackles were second-most on the team, and his passes were also defended. And given Dennis’ shaky debut, Brit might have a way to keep his role in ILB3.
Britt may not be quick enough to be a future starter at the Bucks’ linebacker, but he understands Todd Bowles’ defense well enough to keep him a key position on special teams. If he can put up a consistent game against the Jets, Dennis probably won’t pass him as the No. 3 inside linebacker heading into the season. At the same time, after Ulysses Gilbert and JJ Russell entered Tampa Bay’s top three highest-rated defenders last week, he’s not too relieved.
Cornerback: Christian Izien
![Bucks S Chris Izien](https://www.pewterreport.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/Izien-Chris-Bucs-Steelers-action-300x200.jpg)
Bucks S Chris Aijien – Photo Credit: Cliff Welch/PR
Christian Izien cracked last week this list in a safe position. His ability to play at both safety and nickel cornerback is well-known, and just this week Todd Bowles called him a “ Current frontrunners to start nickel jobs out of camp. His toughness, quickness, and versatility made him an intriguing undrafted free agent for the Bucks. And now he has the chance to get his career off to a good start.
The great thing for Izien is the opportunity to establish himself as a first-timer in a familiar field. A product of Queens, New York, and once prominent at Rutgers of Piscataway, New Jersey, family members attend ijien Saturday night at MetLife Stadium. He played 23 snaps in this slot last week, 10 more than sixth-round pick Josh Hayes, so it will be interesting to see how many nickel snaps he gets this weekend. right.
Safety: Kavon Merriweather
Kayvon Merriweather, the Bucks’ highest-rated safety last week, made a solid debut. His overall stats were 67.1, along with equally good 69.0 run defense, 82.6 tackles and 68.5 pass rushing. His coverage grade of 59.8 is a bit down, but his four solo tackles are tied for team-leading with Will Goulston.
With Antoine Winfield Jr. and Ryan Neal unlikely to be in action again on Saturday night, Meriweather shines once again, earning Depth Safety’s spot to join the 53-man roster out of training camp. You’ll get a chance to prove why you should be alone. Nolan Turner did poorly last week, but he could really set himself apart if he does well again against the Jets.
Kicker: Chase McLaughlin
![Bucks K. Chase McLaughlin](https://www.pewterreport.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/McLaughlin-Chase-Bucs-MC-hat-300x200.jpg)
Bucks K. Chase McLaughlin – Photo Credit: Cliff Welch/PR
Chase McLaughlin, who signed with the Bucks as a free agent, looks like the leader to win the team’s kicking job inside the clubhouse. Ryan Sacop has had three solid seasons in Tampa Bay, but his range is no longer where Tampa Bay needs it, and the cap savings the team got by letting him out make the decision easier. became. Now McLaughlin is trying to keep the job because Rodrigo Blankenship is trying to strip him of it.
Considering the deal McLaughlin signed and the fact that Blankenship didn’t sign until minicamp, the former was expected to eventually get the job going into the regular season. And he hasn’t done anything to change that, nor is Blankenship putting undue pressure on him. Of course, that could change quickly, so it’s up to McLaughlin to stay consistent and hit kicks when called upon. Last week he hit 2-of-2 for extra points, but Blankenship hit his only field goal try, a 35-yard.
Punter: Jake Kamalda
We have a lot of faith in second-year punter Jake Kamalda, and last week he showed us why. The former Georgia Bulldog stepped in quickly, landing a 54-yard punt on the Bucks’ first possession, turning the field around and keeping Pittsburgh within 20 of their half. He did it three times that night, with five other punts at 61, 40. , his averages for the night were 47.7 for 36, 44 and 51 yards.
Kamalda needs to remain consistent and deliver results even when dispatched. Tampa Bay will certainly want him out on Saturday, but when he’s needed, they need more 54-, 61-, 51-yarders, and 36- and 40-yarders. There are few players in There’s a reason special teams coordinator Keith Armstrong thinks Kamalda has Pro Bowl potential. He just has to be consistent in order to respond.
Kick Returner/Punt Returner: Deven Tompkins
![Bucs Wr-Kr-Pr Deven Tompkins](https://www.pewterreport.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/Thompkins-Deven-Bucs-MC-jog-no-helmet-300x200.jpg)
Bucks WR-KR-PR Deven Tompkins – Photo Credit: Cliff Welch/PR
Nothing big happened for the Bucks last week when it came to kick and punt return opportunities. But the highlight was rookie Trey Palmer having two 54-yard kick return chances. His long was his 32, which gave him the opportunity to showcase his speed and vision. Returning incumbent Deven Tompkins will be trying to show Bucks decision makers why he deserves to keep his place as a deep man. Last week, he had one kickback for 19 yards and one punt return for 0 yards.
Tompkins’ spot on the roster feels safe, especially after his strong camp and Russell Gage’s season-ending injury. But Palmer will need to do better to keep him from taking over kick-return duties. Kaylon Geiger was the only back to have a punt return opportunity last week, gaining 4 total yards. It will be interesting to see how Tampa Bay approaches return position on Saturday, as it may give insight into the team’s plans going forward.