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Tampa Bay Buccaneers: 5 storylines to follow at training camp

By Cory Kinnan

TAMPA, FL - OCTOBER 21: Ronald Jones #27 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers celebrates after scoring in the third quarter against the Cleveland Browns on October 21, 2018 at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Florida. The Bucs won 26-23. (Photo by Julio Aguilar/Getty Images)
TAMPA, FL - OCTOBER 21: Ronald Jones #27 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers celebrates after scoring in the third quarter against the Cleveland Browns on October 21, 2018 at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Florida. The Bucs won 26-23. (Photo by Julio Aguilar/Getty Images) /
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GLENDALE, AZ – SEPTEMBER 18: Defensive end Noah Spence #57 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during the NFL game against the Arizona Cardinals at the University of Phoenix Stadium on September 18, 2016 in Glendale, Arizona. The Cardinals defeated the Buccaneers 40-7. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
GLENDALE, AZ – SEPTEMBER 18: Defensive end Noah Spence #57 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during the NFL game against the Arizona Cardinals at the University of Phoenix Stadium on September 18, 2016 in Glendale, Arizona. The Cardinals defeated the Buccaneers 40-7. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images) /

Now or never for Noah Spence

This is it for Noah Spence. Drafted a round later than Hargreaves in 2016, Spence has failed to live up to the hype of a fringe first rounder that he was pitched as three years ago. Entering the last year of his rookie contract, it is now or never for Spence.

In Spence’s favor, the Buccaneers have a serious depth issue at the outside linebacker as he is one of only three healthy pass rushers on the roster who has NFL experience. Behind Shaquil Barrett and Carl Nassib, Anthony Nelson and undrafted free agents David Kenney and Kahzin Daniels are the only other outside linebackers on the roster.

Given that the Buccaneers will need a solid rotation, Spence has a good shot of making the team after the injury to Jason Pierre-Paul, who led the team in sacks last season. However he remains no lock to make the team on the final 53-man roster by the end of training camp.

Like Hargreaves, Spence should benefit from a fresh start with the new coaching staff after being benched by former defensive coordinator Mike Smith a year ago. It is time for Spence to prove he belongs on the Buccaneers and in the NFL.

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