The Bucks utilized their rookies at the highest rate in the NFL last year.Tampa Bay rookie play 4,708 regular season snaps Last year, they ranked third in the NFL behind the Packers and Cardinals. By the end of the year, five rookies were established as starters.
Cody Mauch went wire-to-wire as the starting right guard. Similarly, Kariya Kanshi became the starting defensive tackle opposite Vita Vea on the defensive side of the ball. Undrafted free agent Christian Isien was a surprise opening day starter at nickel corner, where he started all 19 games. Ultimately, receiver Trey Palmer and outside linebacker Yaya Diaby went from key rotation players to starters by the end of the year.
Now, just entering their second year after the playoffs, let’s take a look at where each player fits into the team’s initial roster projections for 2024.
bucks starter
DL Kariya Kanshi
Two of the five players listed above are locked into starter roles heading into 2024. First-round pick Kaliyah Kancey and second-round pick Cody Mauch are both entrenched starters heading into their second years.
Cuncey had an impressive rookie season, despite missing most of the first five games of the season due to an early-season injury. He displayed explosive stand-up, quick hands and an advanced pass rush plan. Cuncey’s 34 pressures ranked sixth among all rookies, and he had four sacks in the regular season and another 1.5 in the playoffs.
Coming out of Pitt, Kaliyah Kansi has as much upside as any inside rusher and has been a game-breaker in the playoffs thus far.
Big sack against Jared Goff 💥 pic.twitter.com/1tJMe3B872
— NFL Draft File (@NFL_DF) January 21, 2024
OG Cody Mauf
Bucs LG Cody Mauch – Photo by Cliff Welch/PR
Don’t be fooled by Pro Football Focus’ scores. Cody Mauch had a promising rookie season. Don’t get me wrong. There were rough spots. His pass block win percentage was too low and needs to improve. He also showed rapid growth in run blocking as an inside blocker. But there were flashes throughout the season. Mauch never looked defeated and showed progress throughout most of the match, learning his opponent.
Mauch improved from Weeks 11 to 16, but hit something of a rookie wall late in the season. With all of these advancements, the Bucs continue to rebuild an offensive line that was almost completely flipped from their 2020 Super Bowl lineup, and we’re excited for a big step up in year two. Will Mauch stay at right guard this offseason or move to left guard? That’s the big question, but no one is questioning whether he’ll be the starter this year. Tampa Bay loves the good things about him.
Cody Mauch and Demarvin Leal had a fun interaction. pic.twitter.com/XWrxx8GjcT
— Brandon Thorn (@BrandonThornNFL) August 14, 2023
Bucs Starter/Rotation Player
Yaya Diaby
Diaby took over the starting role from Joe Tryon-Soyinka late in the season and had 7.5 sacks, one forced fumble and 26 pressures. Diaby showed off the floor as a strong run defender while being a true opportunist as a pass rusher. Diaby will need to build on these splash plays by improving his pass rush plan and repertoire.
Diaby being chosen as the starter is not a foregone conclusion. His play last year ensured he was above JTS on the depth chart last year. However, with the addition of Randy Gregory, chris braswell No one knows which two players will be selected as starters. Despite this, Diaby will still see significant snaps whether he is a starter or not.
You have to thank rookie pass rusher Yaya Diaby (@greatyaya4) I work by watching the tape. Look at this callout and adjustment he made before the snap. He puts himself in the best position to make plays and he does it. Amazing stuff! #Bucsfilm2023wk16 pic.twitter.com/j0hYkNMoa7
— Steven Cheah (@StevenCheah) December 28, 2023
WR Trey Palmer
Bucks WR Trey Palmer – Photo courtesy of USA Today
Despite being a sixth-round pick, Trey Palmer was quickly thrust into the Bucks’ starting lineup after Russell Gage was lost to a season-ending knee injury during training camp. By the time Week 5 rolled around, Palmer had surpassed Deven Tompkins as the team’s starting receiver.
Palmer had an eventful season, with some impressive games and consistently staying open behind the defense, but his performance was always marred by his and quarterback Baker Mayfield’s inability to work together. I wasn’t able to show my full potential. His best game came in Week 17 when the Bucs hosted the Saints, where he caught four passes for 84 yards and a touchdown.
This season, Palmer caught 59% (39) of 66 targets for 385 yards and three touchdowns. The Bucks exploited Palmer’s skill set throughout the season, using him on screens and short hitches rather than targeting him deep in the field.
Palmer got off to an encouraging start to his career, but the Bucs brought competition this year in third-round pick Jalen McMillan. Tampa Bay has announced that last year’s flanker Chris Godwin will be moving into that slot, and the two sides will compete for the starting “Z” receiver role. Regardless of who wins the role, both will likely see time on the field.
Trey Palmer put together a preseason looking like a bona fide WR3 in his offense. pic.twitter.com/nDiiCE2A0c
— Trevor Sikkema (@TampaBayTre) August 26, 2023
Fight for role in Tampa Bay
DB Christian Isien and Josh Hayes
Bucks NCB Josh Hayes – Photo by Cliff Welch/PR
Isien started the season on a tear, having interceptions in back-to-back games in Weeks 1 and 2. But his playmaking streak would end there. Isien had a shaky season as a coverage player, but he will prove to be a solid run defender as a nickelback. Isien was targeted 62 times in 2023, allowing a 79% catch rate and 1.04 yards in coverage.
The Bucks give Isien plenty of competition in the form of free agent Tavierre Thomas and third-round pick Tykie Smith. Isien played great last year, especially with his draft status, but there are limits to his play. Thomas has a more proven track record of success as a slot defender, and Smith is an exciting defender who played very well in the nickel for a solid Georgia defense last year.
Isien, who will also be cross-trained at safety, may not be guaranteed a reliable roster spot if he loses his role as starting nickel corner. If both Thomas and Smith outperform him, he could be on the practice squad to start the season.
Rutgers standout Christian Isien intercepted the Buccaneers at the goal line in his NFL debut. pic.twitter.com/NuwD3rU66o
— Brian Fonseca (@briannnnf) September 10, 2023
Josh Hayes primarily played as a special teams specialist last year, playing 279 snaps primarily as a gunner. Last year, he led all Bucs players with 14 special teams tackles, which was second-most in the NFL. Hayes was used sparingly as a backup cornerback, playing only 29 snaps on defense. Hayes’ special teams ability could very well secure him a spot on the roster.
He will move from working at nickelback to outside cornerback and compete for a spot on the depth chart behind Jamel Dean, Zion McCollum and Bryce Hall.
TE Payne Durham and WR Rakim Jarrett
Bucks WR Rakim Jarrett – Photo by Cliff Welch/PR
Rakim Jarrett was an exciting addition to the Bucks’ 2023 roster as an undrafted free agent. He outperformed veteran David Moore coming out of training camp, playing snaps in every game until going on injured reserve in Week 12. Jarrett caught just four passes this year, but was beginning to earn additional playing time before his injury.
He will compete with Deven Tompkins for the WR5 role behind Palmer and McMillan. Tompkins may have the advantage as a returning player from last year, but Jarrett also has special teams value, averaging more than 11 snaps per game for the team.
Durham made some impressive grabs near the goal line last year. And he has a chance to extend that flash even further in 2024. The Bucs decided not to strengthen their tight end room with significant additions in free agency or the draft. The team drafted Devin Culp out of Washington in the seventh round, but he should hardly be considered a key addition to the team.
If Durham can show consistency as a blocker, there will be a clear path for him to usurp Ko Kieft as the team’s TE2 behind starter Cade Otton. Kieft is a limited player who is primarily listed for his blocking ability. But he hasn’t proven he’s a stud blocker, and teams will have to find a way to get him on the field.
So if Durham can show a more well-rounded skillset, including a higher ceiling as a receiver, the Bucs could move him to a backup spot where he can see the field more, then prioritize Culps’ athleticism. They may choose to decide whether they want speed, or even Kieft’s block at the TE3 spot.
Hmm, is that Payne Durham or Gronk? pic.twitter.com/77U7splcUF
— NFL on CBS 🏈 (@NFLonCBS) November 26, 2023
ILB Servosia Denis
Bucks ILB Servosia Dennis – Photo Credit: USA Today
Dennis was also a third-day pick who could immediately contribute on special teams last year. The athletic linebacker started one game after Lavonte David was injured. Dennis had five tackles against Indianapolis and played well in coverage.
Towards the end of the season, the Bucks made the decision to reduce Devin White’s playing time. But it wasn’t Dennis who agreed to take a snapshot with White. The Bucs turned to third-year linebacker KJ Britt instead. Britt doesn’t have Dennis’ spatial mobility, but it does give him a more powerful physical presence.
While Britt is expected to be the starter, a world in which the Bucs choose to split the linebacker role behind David between Britt and Dennis, much like they split snaps between White and Britt late last year. There is. The Bucs will select Dennis as a third-down option, as he needs to show some aptitude in pass defense.
