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The Tampa Bay Buccaneers think Kaelin Clay can end up first on their depth chart as a kick returner. The sixth-round pick out of Utah is already just the second member of the Buccaneers' 2015 draft class to sign a contract.
On Tuesday, the team announced that Clay has agreed to a four-year deal. He follows first-round quarterback Jameis Winston, who signed his first NFL contract on May 1, less than 24 hours after becoming the first overall selection in the draft.
INFOGRAPHIC: KAELIN CLAY
That leaves five 2015 draftees still unsigned: second-round tackle Donovan Smith, second-round guard Ali Marpet, fourth-round linebacker Kwon Alexander, fifth-round wide receiver Kenny Bell and seventh-round running back Joey Iosefa.
Clay was the eighth pick of the sixth round on May 2, #184 overall. He was the second wideout drafted by the Buccaneers in a row, but in Clay's case his most immediate impact may come in the return game. In his only season at Utah after transferring from Mt. San Antonio Junior College, Clay scored four times on punt and kickoff returns. His three touchdowns on punt returns set a new school single-season record and tied for the most in the nation in 2014.
The 5-10, 195-pound Clay averaged 15.0 yards on 23 punt returns and 24.9 yards on 22 kickoff returns and was named to the All-PAC 12 first team as a return man. He also became a significant factor in the Utes' passing attack after an injury to wide receiver Dres Anderson, contributing 43 catches for 523 yards and four more TDs.
A top high school sprinter in California, Clay became a Junior College All-American at Mt. San Antonio, leading the conference in receiving yards (995) and scoring 16 touchdowns in 2013.
Clay will get an opportunity, along with Bell, to compete for playing time out of the slot, where his speed and slashing moves could make him a dangerous weapon. He is certain to get a long look in the return game for a team that has not scored on a punt or kickoff return since 2010.
