1. Doug Martin is poised to break out.
Martin looked strong in training camp, but defenders don't take runners to the ground during camp practices, so it was difficult to fully evaluate his productivity. When the hits became live in the preseason, though, Martin continued to thrive. The running back picked up 118 yards on 20 carries in three games, averaging 5.9 yards per attempt. He also caught one pass for nine yards.
READ: STANDOUTS FROM WEEK 4
2. Austin Seferian-Jenkins is ready to make an impact.
After missing a significant part of 2014 with injuries, Seferian-Jenkins has established him as the Bucs' starting tight end and go-to receiving threat in between the hash marks. He had two catches for 25 yards, but looked most impressive in practice. It was routine to see him catch 15 to 20-yard passes down the seam.
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- Kwon Alexander is a diamond in the rough.**
The rookie, fourth-round pick propelled himself into the starting lineup after just one game, catching the coaches' eyes against Minnesota in the opening week of the preseason. He didn't play in the Bucs' finale on Thursday, but recorded 13 tackles in the teams' other three games, the most of any first-team defender.
4. George Johnson will help the pass rush.
The Bucs traded for Johnson this spring hoping he could help the teams' pass-rush. If the preseason is any indicator, it appears he will do just that. He recorded a team-high 1.5 sacks in three games, in addition to two quarterback hurries. Johnson has been a starter at defensive end all summer.
5. So will Gerald McCoy.
McCoy recorded just one half of a sack this preseason, but was pressuring the quarterback constantly. In addition to his sack, he also recorded seven hurries, almost twice as many as any other Buccaneer defender. Even more impressive is the fact that he was only on the field for 44 passing downs, which mean's there's nearly a one-in-five chance that he will be disrupting an opponent's quarterback on a given play.
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- Lavonte David's not going anywhere.**
Less than a month ago, right before the Bucs took the field for their preseason opener, the Bucs signed David to a contract extension, ensuring he would be with the team until the 2020 season. He recorded nine tackles in 75 snaps during the preseason, in addition to defending a pass.
7. Rookie wide receivers made their case.
On Thursday, Rannell Hall and Adam Humphries put together impressive performances, combining for eight receptions, 125 yards and a touchdown. It's highly unlikely both will make the 53-man roster, though. Both players took a number of snaps on special teams, which will be paramount in the decision as to whether or not to retain them.* *
