With Mike Evans out with a hamstring injury and Chris Godwin out for the rest of the year, the Bucs were hoping the young receiver would step up in his place and play against the visiting Falcons in Week 8. . The weapon that appeared was something that most people did not expect. – 2nd year recipient Rakim Jarrett.
Tampa Bay expected the team’s third-round pick, Jalen McMillan, to make a splash against Atlanta. Or maybe Trey Palmer, the team’s No. 3 receiver a year ago, makes a big play against the Falcons.
Jarrett took his place. Jarrett was fresh off injured reserve and had only practiced for just a week since he last took the field in Tampa Bay’s preseason game at Cincinnati, where he injured his knee. The former undrafted free agent had two catches (each for 19 yards) and a 20-yard reception in the second half.
Jarrett also went down on Baker Mayfield’s Hail Mary attempt at the end of the game. Unfortunately, when he brought the ball in, he was a yard out of the back of the end zone.
“I felt like the crowd said I was over the edge,” Jarrett said. “I saw that instead of our players celebrating, the other team’s players were celebrating.”
Bucks WR Rakim Jarrett – Photo courtesy of USA Today
That catch didn’t count, but Jarrett’s remaining three 58-yard receptions were the Bucs’ only consistent playmaker in the passing game other than tight end Cade Otton, who leads the team with nine grabs. It was an eye-opener in the fact that it was. He ran for 81 yards and two touchdowns. McMillan had four catches for 35 yards (8.8 average) and Palmer had two receptions for 29 yards (14.5 average).
Bucs offensive coordinator Liam Cohen liked the play of Jarrett, who is expected to get more targets and play a bigger role in the passing game Monday night at Kansas City.
“Yeah, I mean, ‘The Rock’ has been working hard to get in shape and feel good,” Cohen said. “It was great to see him go out there and produce some plays and be in the right place at the right time. We’ve got to continue to get that from him – We have to continue to get the most out of all these guys because we can and will have to rely on them for the rest of the season.
Rakim Jarrett’s Bucks career halted by injury
While the Bucks were excited to take Trey Palmer in the sixth round of the 2023 NFL Draft, the team was also talked about signing undrafted free agent Rakim Jarrett from Maryland. Jarrett had a knack for making plays after the catch, catching 119 passes for 1,552 yards (13 average) and 10 touchdowns during his career with the Terrapins.
Bucks WR Rakim Jarrett and DB Christian Isien – Photo courtesy of USA Today
“I played against Rakim when he was at the University of Maryland,” said Bucs defensive back Christian Isien, who played at Rutgers. “He was always a good player. He was a highly touted player coming out of high school. He always had the skill set. It was just a matter of him staying healthy. I think he’s going to have a pretty good impact on our team because he’s definitely good with the ball in his hands. He’s an overall good athlete. He has ball recognition and that helps him make the catch.”
Jarrett’s career in Tampa Bay has stalled due to injuries. He suffered a hamstring injury as a rookie that limited him to just two preseason games, but he ended up making big plays, including seven receptions for 132 yards (18.9 average). demonstrated the ability to
In limited playing time during the regular season last year, Jarrett caught four passes for 60 yards, including a 41-yard bomb against San Francisco. Jarrett tore his quadriceps muscle in his thigh as he strode to make the catch. Despite the excruciating pain, Jarrett played the remainder of the 49ers’ games and did not tell team trainers of his injury until afterward.
Bucs cornerback Zion McCollum marveled at Jarrett’s toughness after learning of his torn quadriceps injury in San Francisco.
“He’s quiet. Usually quiet people have that kind of toughness,” McCollum said. “He’s always been a quiet, low-profile type of guy, but he’s grown quite a bit. What I saw was him getting injured early on, then backtracking and going on IR and becoming more of a player within the receiver group.” He didn’t seem to have confidence in his positioning. So his maturity level is quite high. I saw him working there early in the morning. He is sharpening every day.
“We knew he had speed and acumen, but now that he’s grown up, he’s playing the role that he envisioned for himself. He has a desire to be great.”
Bucks WR Rakim Jarrett – Photo courtesy of USA Today
Jarrett was placed on injured reserve after the 49ers game, but did not play another down during his rookie season. In the midst of a very productive training camp this year, Jarrett suffered a knee injury in the preseason opener at Cincinnati, making just two catches for 35 yards (17 average), including an impressive throw. From Kyle Trask, which also included a 28-yard grab with a deep dive.
That required another stint on injured reserve and minor surgery to stabilize his knee.
“I had what’s called a cartilage defect,” Jarrett said. “There’s cartilage in the femur and calf, and the cartilage that connected it to the knee was starting to wear away. They went in and examined it, took out the loose cartilage, and chipped away at the bone so that it would gradually move. I had to, and that was it. No major issues – no ACL, no torn ligaments. I feel great.
“It was frustrating, but I did what I had to do to improve my career. I’m sure guys like J. Mack, Shep and Trey Palmer will step up as well.”
Jarrett’s return is a welcome addition to a Bucks offense that is in desperate need of a playmaker after Mike Evans missed Week 11 with a bye and Chris Godwin is out for the rest of the year.
“I caught two digs and the first one I was a little hesitant at first because it was the first pass I had caught in months,” Jarrett said. “Then as the game went on, I started getting more comfortable.
“I just went out there and did what I was asked to do. Opportunities came along. Some guys went down, some guys had to step up. I’m just doing my job.”
Rakim Jarrett’s spot is currently marked with an X.
No one will replace the team’s X receiver, Mike Evans, also known as the split end. Evans is the best receiver and offensive weapon in Tampa Bay history. But Rakim Jarrett is going to give it a shot.
Bucks WR Rakim Jarrett – Photo courtesy of USA Today
Jarrett’s average of 19.3 yards per reception is currently the best on the team, despite the small sample size. And despite playing the No. 3 position for the past three years, Jarrett seems comfortable going deep and making some of the plays Evans is used to making downfield. .
“Throughout my college career, I only played slots.” Jarrett at 6 feet, 192 pounds Said. “Last year I only played Z (flanker) so I had to learn for the first time. This year I will only play X. I can’t play all three positions here, but I can play all three. I know I can do it.”
When asked about the possibility of Jarrett being able to play all three positions, Bucs offensive coordinator Liam Cohen did not rule out that possibility at one point. However, the fact that he missed the second half of training camp and the preseason, not to mention the first seven games of the regular season while recovering from knee surgery, hampered Cohen’s progress in learning the system.
“He’s probably like ‘Z’ [or] It’s an ‘X’ type body,” Cohen said. “I mean, these people are interacting in the sense of officially moving them somewhere else, right? They’re all outside, inside, left, right, ‘Z,’ ‘X,’ ‘F. ”. It turns out that in the future, “Rock” is definitely a “Z” in terms of body type, and could be a little “X”. I could see he could step inside if needed.
“So, it’s more like getting him and playing him in a position because he hasn’t played, right? Similarly, we can’t give him too much information. He’s done a phenomenal job of paying attention and listening. We need to keep him in place in time for the mission.”
Jarrett is comfortable on the perimeter and uses his speed and physicality to break through one-on-one situations.
Bucks WR Rakim Jarrett – Photo by Cliff Welch/PR
“My ability to break man coverage is the best attribute I bring to the team,” Jarrett said. “I think if I get the chance, I can be open at a high clip. I’m going to go out there and do what I’m asked to do.”
Jarrett has a knack for getting open. Zion McCollum, the Bucs’ best cover cornerback, has been through it in practice the past two years.
“It’s his smarts in his route running and subtle pushes,” McCollum said. “A lot of people don’t realize how fast he is. He’s very good at putting DBs to sleep and then taking them out on the field at their own pace. He’s getting better and better. Just when you think you have him covered, he catches you.”
The Bucs will be looking for more action and big plays from rookie Jalen McMillan and second-year receiver Trey Palmer against the Chiefs, but the team has an eye-popping debut against the Falcons in 2024. You can count on Jarrett.
“This week should be even more important for our perimeter players,” Jarrett said. “We’re taking it day by day and getting ready for the game against the Chiefs on Monday Night Football.
“It’s a great opportunity for guys who don’t usually get their goals to show people around the league what they can do. We’re playing for our careers. I told Coach Bowles that He said something to me and I said, “That’s why I’m here.” I’m here to make theater. ”
