Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Bucs Players to Watch at Training Camp

From Baker Mayfield taking on more play-calling responsibility to the competition at outside linebacker and receiver, here are five players to keep an eye on as the Buccaneers begin training camp

Jul 22, 2024 at 10:00 AM

Brianna Dix

Staff Writer/Reporter

With training camp just a week away for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, excitement builds for the 2024 campaign. A myriad of topics will monopolize headlines as competition heats up on the practice fields at the AdventHealth Training Center. In contrast to last year at this time, the starting signal-caller duties are locked up with Baker Mayfield. He will take more responsibility in terms of play-calling in Liam Coen's retooled offense and the offensive line will undergo a shuffle as rookie Graham Barton competes for the starting center job. Whether the gig at outside linebacker opposite Yaya Diaby or the third receiver spot behind Mike Evans and Chris Godwin, first-year players will have a chance to snag one of the coveted spots on the Buccaneers' depth chart. When the pads come out and the energy revs up, here is a breakdown of the top five players to keep your eye on at camp:

Baker Mayfield

Despite learning a new playbook, former NFL nomad Baker Mayfield will have stability after signing a new multi-year deal with the Buccaneers during the offseason. Mayfield, who was selected as 2023's Most Improved Player by the Pro Football Writers of America (PFWA), produced a stellar 2023 season in which he established career highs in completions (364), passing yards (4,044), passing touchdowns (28) and completion percentage (64.3%). He was one-of-two players last season with 28-or-more passing touchdowns and 10-or-fewer interceptions, joining Cowboys' Dak Prescott. Mayfield ranked among league-leaders in passing touchdowns (seventh), passing yards (ninth), completions (10th) and passer rating (12th). He became the second player in Buccaneers history to throw for 4,000-plus yards, 25-or-more touchdowns and 10- or-fewer interceptions in a single season, along with Tom Brady (2022). He led the Bucs to victories in five of the team's final six games of the regular season, recording the club's first four-game win streak since the 2021 season. During that span, Mayfield became the first visiting quarterback in NFL history to post a perfect passer rating (158.3) at Lambeau Field, earning his fourth career Player of the Week honors.

In 2024, Mayfield is learning a new offense and taking on a larger leadership role. Under the direction of Coen, Mayfield will have more opportunities to change protections and play calls in the huddle/ pre-snap based on what the defense is showing.

"There's a lot more responsibility – line of scrimmage, a lot more double play calls where you're having to get the guys in the right positions," Mayfield said. "But as a quarterback, you want to have that responsibility and accountability. You always want to put your guys in the best position to have success, so now Liam's giving us the opportunity with a couple play calls to be able to do that. Like I said, it's more mentally taxing but [I'm] just relearning the system and not taking it with the mindset that I've been here before but really starting from square one."

Mayfield, known for his moxie and gunslinger mentality, is focused on becoming more of a vocal leader in 2024. He showcased his processing skills, arm talent, fiery disposition and improvisation prowess last season which garnered a contract extension. This year, he will look to build off of 2023's success as the Bucs' chase another NFC South crown.

Graham Barton

Rookie Graham Barton took first-team reps throughout offseason workouts, gaining invaluable experience at the pro level. For the Blue Devils, Barton was a three-year starter at left tackle after earning freshman All-America honors in 2020 at center. His position flexibility became a draw for many teams during the pre-draft cycle, as did his temperament in the trenches.

"He has a tenacious playing style," described General Manager Jason Licht. "He is a very good athlete. He is a very good technician. He played center his freshman year during the COVID year when there was an injury, and they threw him in there really without any practice during training camp and all that stuff at center, he went in there and played lights out we thought. They kicked him out to left tackle because he was the best athlete, which typically happens in college. He reminds a lot of us of Ali [Marpet]. He has some Ryan Jensen in him, which is a very good thing too, and he has the personality of Tristan Wirfs. He has some pretty good lab work there."

Barton helped Duke's offense accumulate 2,174 rushing and 2,351 passing yards as well as 26 rushing touchdowns, which was tied for the fifth-most in program history. He possesses a solid anchor, sudden hands, burst as a drive blocker and textbook technique. Barton will continue to ascend with additional reps in the transition from tackle to center. As the Buccaneers' offensive line works to achieve continuity, Barton will be one to watch throughout camp.

Chris Braswell

In the second round of the 2024 NFL Draft with the 57th overall selection, the Buccaneers selected Chris Braswell to add to the edge rush rotation. The two-time member of Bruce Feldman's "Freak's List," impressed at the NFL Combine with elite athleticism. Most notably, his durability and loyalty at Alabama left an impression on the Bucs' brass. Instead of transferring to become an immediate starter at another school, he stuck it out at Alabama, learning from Will Anderson Jr. and Dallas Turner. Braswell's commitment paid dividends and in 2023, he was awarded with a sensational year for the Tide. He led the SEC in pressures with 56 in Nick Saban's hybrid 3-4 scheme and will bring another dimension to Tampa Bay's defensive line.

Braswell got upfield in a hurry with burst off the snap at the collegiate level and will bring his pass rush repertoire to Todd Bowles' defense, joining Yaya Diaby, Joe Tryon-Shoyinka, Randy Gregory and Anthony Nelson. In one-on-one drills, Braswell will certainly draw intrigue from spectators.

Jalen McMillan

The Buccaneers selected Jalen McMillan in the third round out of Washington to add depth to the receiver corps. McMillan caught a career-high 79 passes for 1,098 yards and nine scores in 2022 and set a record in 2023 during the season opener, becoming the first player in Pac-12 history to score two touchdowns as a pass-catcher, run for another score, complete a pass and return a couple of punts. McMillan maximizes his long-strided speed to create separation and can bait defensive backs by varying his release package, forcing them to open their hips one way while he crosses and wins working the opposite way. He will join second-year player Trey Palmer and veteran acquisition Sterling Shepard in the battle for the third receiver spot. McMillan, a primary slot target at Washington, will vie to display his versatility on the outside beating press during training camp in one-on-one drills.

"He attacks the ball, catches with his hands, he's explosive, he's a smooth route runner," said Mayfield on McMillan. "Now, having him put it all together in the offense, get all these alerts, these cans, and I think, playing fast for him is really the next step of mastering this offense so he can use that physical talent that he has."

K.J. Britt

For the majority of his five-year tenure in Tampa Bay, former first-round pick Devin White was an every-down fixture on defense alongside Lavonte David. Other inside linebackers on the depth chart, including K.J. Britt, were limited mainly to special teams except on the occasion of injury to either David or White. Last season, a shift took place. Britt, a former Auburn product who was taken in the fifth round of the 2021 NFL Draft, received significant playing time down the stretch following Week 16. The Bucs began splitting snaps between Britt and White after the latter returned to the active list.

Britt started both playoff games and posted 92 defensive snaps against the Eagles and Lions, to 40 for White. White departed in free agency (Eagles) and Britt is now the likely candidate to grab the starting role in the middle of the defense next to David. Britt has been training as the Mike linebacker and has the opportunity to be an every-down back. Britt, known for his downhill charge and prowess against the run, will work to make his mark in passing situations. Bowles' attributed Britt's mental growth to his ascension on the field in 2023.

"Obviously, he can play all three downs, but we have so many packages and guys to move around," said Todd Bowles. "It's a little early to determine who will be on what [package]. In one week he could be, in one week he may not be. It depends on who we're playing and what we have available. But he's ready to play all three downs. I love the maturity. He's grasping the mental part of the game and becoming a leader of that defense along with Lavonte and [Antoine Winfield Jr.] and Vita [Vea]. We're kind of happy where he's progressing right now."

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TAMPA, FL - July 23, 2024 - Wide Receiver Sterling Shepard #25 and Wide Receivers Coach Bryan McClendon of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers arrive for 2024 Training Camp at AdventHealth Training Center. Photo By Tori Richman/Tampa Bay Buccaneers