Tampa Bay Buccaneers sign two, waive one on doorsteps of camp

As training camp is upon us for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, the team has made four roster moves, adding two and cutting two.

Yesterday, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers announced a frenzy of roster moves that included the addition of veteran tight end Troy Niklas to the roster. They also added defensive back Mazzi Wilkins to the roster as well, and waived rookie wide receiver Xavier Uboi and cornerback Jalen Allison to make room for these signings.

Niklas has experience playing under new Buccaneers’ head coach Bruce Arians from 2014-2017, and sat out last season after failing to make the New England Patriots’ final 53-man roster. Throughout his four year career in Arizona, Niklas has tallied just 19 catches for 203 yards and three scores.

Wilkins joins the Buccaneers as an undrafted free agent out of the University of South Florida, where he contributed all four years and started the final two. He recorded three career interceptions, all in 2017, and broke up a career total of 19 passes (18 over the last two years).

At his pro day, Wilkins posted a vertical jump of 30 inches, a broad jump of just over nine feet, and his 40 yard dash time was not announced (via Tampa Bay Times). He played in the East-West Shrine Game as well, but failed to land as a selection in the 2019 NFL Draft.

While these late additions just before camp are more than likely just bodies to fill the 90-man roster, one is looking to make a name for himself while the other has familiarity with Arians. This is just the first of many moves to come for the rest of the summer as football is finally back.