Tampa Bay Buccaneers

2024 Schedule Point-Counterpoint: Top Rookie Opponent

After the most offense-heavy first round in NFL Draft history, both Brianna Dix and Scott Smith have chosen a player on that side of the ball as the most interesting and potentially challenging rookie on the Bucs' 2024 schedule

May 24, 2024 at 08:00 AM

Scott Smith

Senior Writer/Editor

Last November, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers got an unexpected invitation to the coming-out party for one of the most exciting rookies to hit the NFL in years. Houston quarterback C.J. Stroud, the second-overall pick in the 2023 draft had looked quite good over his first seven starts, particularly in terms of his first career interception not coming until his sixth outing.

It was against the Buccaneers in Week Eight, however, that Stroud's rookie campaign went supernova, as he threw for 470 yards and five touchdowns in a wild 39-37 Texans victory. It was nearly a celebratory occasion for the visiting Buccaneers, as Baker Mayfield engineered what appeared to be the game-winning drive, hitting Cade Otton on a 14-yard touchdown pass for a four-point lead with 46 seconds left. Unfortunately for the visitors, Stroud countered with a nearly impossible 75-yard touchdown drive in just 40 seconds, without a timeout.

That's not exactly a happy memory for the Buccaneers from an otherwise encouraging 2023 season, but it certainly is a vivid one. Stroud would end up in the Pro Bowl and in possession of the Associated Press Offensive Rookie of the Year trophy, and it appears as if the Texans have a high-end franchise quarterback on their hands.

It's safe to say that was the most outrageous performance by a rookie against the Buccaneers last season. But before the season began, was Stroud the most prominent, or intriguing, or promising NFL newcomer the Buccaneers anticipated facing? That might have actually been quarterback Bryce Young, who not only was taken one spot before Stroud in the draft but also landed in the Buccaneers' own division as the Carolina Panthers' new starter. That meant the potential of two meetings during the 2023 season.

Actually, Staff Writer/Reporter Brianna Dix and I discussed this very topic a year ago. She went with Houston's other first-round pick, edge rusher Will Anderson, while I selected Falcons running back Bijan Robinson. Both players had nice seasons, but I would definitely go with Stroud if I had a do-over and my memories of that game in Houston in November. Today, we're going to tackle the same question for 2024, and as it turns out the second-overall pick, another flashy quarterback, is on the Bucs' schedule again. Will Washington's Jayden Daniels be the pick for either of us? There are plenty of intriguing options.

This is the last in our series of five schedule-related debates. Here's the run-down for the whole week:

Monday, May 20: What one thing would you most like to thank the NFL schedule makers for this year?

Tuesday, May 21 What is the toughest stretch of games on this year's schedule?

Wednesday, May 22: What is one thing you would change about the Bucs' schedule if you had the power?

Thursday, May 23: What is your most anticipated game on the Bucs' 2024 schedule?

Friday, May 17: Who is the most interesting rookie the Buccaneers will face on their 2024 schedule?

Brianna and I are not going to duplicate answers, so the order of our debate is important. Brianna has the first pick today.

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TAMPA, FL - May 21, 2024 - Quarterback Baker Mayfield #6 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during OTA's at AdventHealth Training Center. Photo By Tori Richman/Tampa Bay Buccaneers