The best photos from the Buccaneers' 2016 rookie mini-camp.
After the 2016 NFL Draft concluded, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers signed nearly 20 more rookies who had slipped through the seven rounds. The team then attracted another 22 young prospects, most of them additional undrafted free agents, to participate in last weekend's mini-camp on a tryout basis. In a very real way, those two groups of players were in competition with each other from Friday through Sunday.
"These guys, they know what's at stake," said Head Coach Dirk Koetter on Friday. "You've got 51 guys for probably 19 spots on the 90-man roster, so there is a lot at stake. These guys are hungry and they show it."
The Buccaneers held their first rookie mini-camp practice at One Buc Place on Friday.
And, indeed, three competitive practices over the weekend led to a handful of roster moves on Monday. Three of those tryout players – Texas Tech linebacker Micah Awe, Kansas State defensive tackle Travis Britz and Louisville tackle Kelby Johnson – have earned a spot on the 90-man roster. To make room, the Buccaneers released three of those original undrafted free agents: West Chester tight end Tim Brown, Oregon linebacker Tyson Coleman and Western Kentucky defensive tackle Jontavius Morris.
In addition, the Buccaneers have re-signed wide receiver Andre Davis, a former standout at the University of South Florida and nearby Jefferson High School. There was an open spot on the roster for Davis, who also participated in the weekend camp, because one of the original undrafted free agents, Kutztown wide receiver Anthony Kelly, did not officially sign or take part in the camp.
Photos from day 2 of Rookie Mini-Camp.
A team captain as a senior at Texas Tech, Awe played in 51 games over four seasons with the Red Raiders, recording 266 tackles, 11.5 tackles for loss, 1.5 sacks and six passes defensed. The 6-0, 221-pound linebacker started every game last fall and ranked 13th in the nation in solo tackles per game.
Britz (6-4, 293) started 36 of the 47 games in which he played over four seasons at Kansas State and was also a team captain as a senior. A second-team All-Big 12 pick after a 2015 campaign in which he amassed 41 tackles, four sacks and 11 tackles for loss, Britz also tied a school record with five career blocked kicks.
The 6-7, 301-pound Johnson played two seasons at Virginia before finishing up at Louisville in 2014 and 2015. He was primarily a reserve for the Cardinals, starting one game at tackle last fall.