At the halfway mark of the 2024 NFL season, evaluations commence around the league in a comprehensive report card. The Tampa Bay Buccaneers currently sit at second place in the NFC South with a 4-6 record but throughout the first half of the year, several members of the team's rookie fraternity have made a sizeable impact on the field including center Graham Barton, safety Tykee Smith, running back Bucky Irving and receiver Jalen McMillan.
Barton has played 100% of the Bucs' snaps in the nine games he has played in 2024 (570), with Smith playing 397 snaps, Irving with 266 and McMillan with 257. Barton, the club's first-round selection in April, earned the Bucs' starting center job during the offseason. He made a smooth transition to the interior of Tampa Bay's line after serving as a three-year starter at left tackle for Duke. In his full-time role, Barton has showcased his climbing skills in space, ability to counter a variety of rush moves, body control and explosive drive blocks. He has helped solidify the middle of the Bucs' line and has paved the way for a rushing attack that ranks in the top five in yards per carry.
Irving, the Bucs' fourth-round selection out of Oregon, has become a missed-tackle machine in the NFL. His downhill prowess is a perfect fit for the Buccaneers' gap counter runs and his twitchiness has invigorated the team's production on the ground. In Week 10, Irving totaled 87 yards from scrimmage with one score between 13 carries for 73 yards (5.6 average) and one touchdown, along with three receptions for 14 yards. Irving's 87 scrimmage yards mark his second-highest output in a single game this season. His 12-yard rushing touchdown marked his fourth of the year, which is tied for the league lead among all rookies and leads all rookie running backs. Irving leads all rookies in yards from scrimmage with 680 and his 492 rushing yards on the year rank second among rookies. Per ESPN's Next Gen Stats, Irving forced five missed tackles in Sunday's contest against the 49ers, his second-most in a game this season. Although he may not be the largest back, Irving runs with outstanding contact balance and drive behind his pads. With lethal spin maneuvers and lateral jump cuts, Irving is a handful for defenders to bring down in the open field.
Smith, the versatile defender taken in the third round, earned the Bucs' starting nickel role. His experience playing in the post for West Virginia and in the slot for Georgia has led to his ascension in the NFL. Praised by coaches and teammates for his cerebral approach to the game and high football IQ, Smith has fortified the secondary in Tampa Bay. He did not play in the Week 10 matchup against the 49ers after sustaining a knee injury during practice on Friday, but he has accumulated five passes defensed, three forced fumbles, 42 tackles and two tackles for loss in four game starts (eight played). He disrupts receiving threats underneath and plays with the physicality of a linebacker in the box. With short-area burst and a competitive disposition, Smith has been a bright spot in 2024.
McMillan, the Bucs' 92 overall pick in the third round, rose up the depth chart during training camp to carve out a role as the No.3 receiver behind Mike Evans and Chris Godwin. He has missed time due to a hamstring injury, adding to the team's laundry list of ailments at the position, but has made his presence felt. In five game starts, McMillan has tallied 109 yards on 10 receptions and a touchdown, with his longest being a 32-yard touchdown against the Commanders in Week One. McMillan went in motion and quickly got vertical as the safety bit on the route. With long strides, fluid route-running and a savvy release package, McMillan brings juice to the Bucs' wide receiver room. As he continues to build chemistry and familiarity with Baker Mayfield in his first season, McMillan's production will increase.
