The Tampa Bay Buccaneers newest draft class will hit the practice fields at the AdventHealth Training Center for the first time on Friday afternoon. Two of the seven players the Buccaneers selected in April's draft will already have their initial NFL contracts in place when they do so.
On Friday morning, Running back Bucky Irving, a fourth-round selection, and guard Elijah Klein, a sixth-round choice, signed the standard four-year contract that all players drafted in Rounds Two through Seven receive. The Bucs now have five more draft picks who need deals: first-round center Graham Barton, second-round outside linebacker Chris Braswell, third-round safety Tykee Smith, third-round wide receiver Jalen McMillan and seventh-round tight end Devin Culp.
Irving played three seasons at Oregon and racked up 3,722 yards from scrimmage and 25 total touchdowns in 39 games. He surpassed 1,000 yards rushing in each of the last two seasons and averaged 6.2 yards per tote as a Duck. Irving also led all FBS running backs in 2023 with 56 receptions and is expected to have a prominent role in the Bucs' backfield, while also potentially working into the mix as a kickoff returner.
"I think he's a young back that's versatile, can play on all three downs, sudden, good change-of-direction, and obviously he can catch the ball out of the backfield," said Running Backs Coach Skip Peete. "[He can] create big plays – that's probably the thing that excited me the most."
Klein started 55 games over six years at UTEP, mostly at right guard but with some action at left tackle, and the Buccaneers believe he has the versatility to compete for playing time at multiple positions. He was part of a Miners' offense that produced 159.4 rushing yards per game in 2022.
"Elijah stuck out on tape through the evaluation process – a guy with some twitch and suddenness, but also a square-bodied guy that plays the game the right way," said Offensive Line Coach Kevin Carberry. "You see the physicality, the effort with which he plays. [There's] a lot to like about Elijah and we're fortunate that he was there when he was."
