A new Pewter report debuts every Tuesday at Pewterreport.com. Every week, Pewter reporters tackle another tough Bucs question. This Week’s Prompt: Which back rookies will have the biggest impact in 2025?
Scott Reynolds: Bucs Wr Tez Johnson has something special
Bucs WR Tez Johnson Photo by: USA Today
This is a tough PR roundtable as there isn’t much work to get grabs in Tampa Bay due to the Play0FF compatible roster. The player who might see the earliest field as a starter could be Kansas’ Jacob Parish if he wins the starting nickelback job. As a K-State alum, I avoid behaving like Homer and have someone else write about him. In fact, the player I want to write about is IS Oregon wide receiver Tez Johnson, He calls himself an “energy bunny” because of the energy he brings to the football field. He also calls himself a “Squirrel” because of his ability to generate yards after catching, as he is a shifty and it’s so difficult for him to tackle.
Along with Mike Evans, Chris Godwin, Jalen McMillan and first-round pick Emeka Egbuka, the Bucs have the most talented wide receiver depth charts from WR1 to WR4. Johnson, who led college football in yards after the catch between 2023-24, has the perfect opportunity to become a WR5 in Tampa Bay due to his ability to return punts and contribute to the offense. He averaged 10.5 yards per 10.5 yards in Oregon; It includes an 85-yard touchdown last season.
He’s only 5 feet 10, 154 pounds and about 20 pounds lighter, but Johnson reminds him of former Bucs receiver “The Truth” Williams, the best punt returner in Tampa Bay history (1996-2003), with an average of five career touchdowns and 10.7 yards. Williams also had “mistakes” and richness. After being selected for Tampa Bay on Saturday, I asked Johnson about competing for his newcomer punt return duties, and he said, “That punt return.” [job] It belongs to mine. “You have to praise your child’s confidence in yourself.
It feels like Trey Palmer hit a real sophomore slump last year as a receiver and returnee, so it feels like he’s on the way. Palmer averaged just eight yards with a length of 17 yards and only eight yards, despite having a 4.33 speed. We were able to see Johnson win the punt return job and excel there. It’s him active on the day of the game, where he is a gadget player and can become a part-time contributor in the attacks of Josh Grizzard.
Mattera: David Walker could become the next Shack Bullet
Central Arkansas Albu David Walker – Photo: USA Today
Few players walk to Bucs facilities with a larger tip on their shoulders than outside linebacker David Walker. Coming from a small school in central Arkansas, he had already had to prove he could play in high-scoring competitions like the SEC and the Big Ten in the Senior Bowl.
Walker doesn’t have a start role in Edge Rush, so every opportunity has to be made to rush passersby when he’s on the game count. He’s on the short side at 6 feet, but weighs 263 pounds, with the speed and unforgiving effort to play at this level. Others have compared him to Shaq Barrett, which compares whether he is in Tampa Bay or nearby.
There is no argument that Walker knows how to get to the quarterback. In his four years in Central Arkansas, he was eight the lowest sack of any season. He had two seasons with at least 10 sacks, a career-high 10.5. Last season he recorded four forced fumbles. It was a staple of Bullet’s game with backs that Walker still needs to provide – strip sacks. He has the tendency to push Chris Braswell for the OLB3 role on the depth chart and make the splash play that defense certainly requires.
Bailey Adams: Jacob Parrish has the most clear path to the role he starts
New Bucs CB Jacob Parrish Photo by: USA Today
For the record, I think this Bucs rookie class overall is likely to have an impact from day one. But I think Kansas cornerback third pick Jacob Parrish has the most direct path to making an impact from the jump. The 5-foot-10, 191-pounder from Olathe, Kansas, played horns outside, mainly for the Wildcats, but given his size it’s clear he’ll project as nickel at the next level. He played 91 snaps in the slot last year, making a total of 202 snaps in his career.
With Parish’s choice and a lack of other additions safely through free agency or draft, it’s clear that Baku has set up plans for Tykey Smith, who started with Nickel during his 2024 rookie season, to move safely and play alongside Antoine Winfield Jr. So, once Smith is safe, the two main options to take over the first nickel job are Christian Izien and Parrish.
Izien can be great in all types of depth roles as it is safe in slots, and even in pinch. Still, he left inside His In 2023’s rookie year, he may get a shot to challenge Parish. However, given his 4.35 speed, convulsions and directional ability, I like the chance of a rookie. He also needs more needs for the Ballhawk Todd Bowles defense, as evidenced by five interceptions and 23 passes that have been protected over three seasons with K-State.
Not only does Parrish see the coverage role, but he also plays Run well. He drives downhill and is an excellent open field tackler. He is away from the season where he scored a 71.4-run defensive grade from the Focus in Pro Football, and won the Boot with a 78.4 tackle grade. He may not shine the most in the week, but don’t be surprised if you look up at the end of the season.
Josh Queipo: Emeka Egbuka becomes an instant contributor
Bucs Wr Emeka Egbuka – Photo: USA Today
Many are excited about Jalen McMillan’s second year, and while the Bucs thought he was the second round he stole in the third round last year, Ohio’s Emeka Egbuka is the player he took in the first round despite McMillan being led. It should tell you how high his organization is. They should also tell you that there is a clear path for him to get to the field early and frequently.
Now let’s consider that Egbuka has not only high ceilings, but also very high floors. He is the most advanced route runner in this draft class and blocks what you know. Additionally, he can play multiple roles within the receiver room. Add the ability to make a grip of collisions that collide with his powerful hands. He had a catch rate of 76.4% in 2024 to help Ohio State win the national championship.
All this will become a man who should be able to run to the ground. If new offensive coordinator Josh Grizzard runs a similar system to former playr Liam Cohen, there will be plenty of 11 staff members keeping Egbuka on the field. His presence probably means some form of load management for Chris Godwin. This means that snaps aren’t an issue for him.
And if he’s filling Godwin as a massive F receiver in the slot, he’ll have plenty of opportunities to add plenty of yards and catches in his rookie year. This has all the elements of the quick riser that will become an integral part of Bucs’ success in 2025.
Adam Slivon: Benjamin Morrison becomes the cornerback of impact
Bucs CB Benjamin Morrison – Photo: USA Today
As recently outlined by the Pewter Report, cornerback Benjamin Morrison is considering putting injury concerns behind him when entering the NFL. The waist condition limited the impact he had on Notre Dame last season, but if Morrison is healthy he must prove he will soon steal.
Two of Morrison’s best abilities are as a strong coverage corner that allows him to win football. It will help him see the field soon, and he will push Jamel Dean for the opposite time of Zyon McCollum throughout the offseason. Morrison’s dad used to play with head coach Todd Bowles, and that familiarity quickly helped him gain the trust of a defensive play car this season.
Compared to other incoming Bucs rookies, Morrison has one of the clearest paths to playing time. If he flashes the skills that made him a talent for the first round, he will have all the opportunities to make his presence feel short in Tampa Bay. For me, he was the best value choice they made. He’s definitely looking for something to be proud of his team.
