3 bold predictions for Buccaneers in preseason opener vs. Jets

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers will kick off the preseason tonight against the New York Jets. The teams have already gotten familiar with each other after a pair of joint practices earlier in the week. 

Several Bucs players have consistently stood out this offseason, and with their first game action coming in front of a national audience, they have the chance to push their hype train to another level. 

These three Buccaneers will make the most of their opportunity in the preseason opener against the Jets. 

3 bold predictions for Tampa Bay Buccaneers vs. New York Jets 

David Walker records 2 sacks in his first NFL game 

Walker suffered a torn ACL last offseason that ended his rookie year before it even began. He’s fully healthy entering his second season, and Friday night will be his NFL debut. 

Walker has been the biggest standout of Bucs training camp, including starting training camp off with a sack in nine straight practices. 

But much of Walker’s work has come against Tampa Bay’s second-and-third-string offensive lines. The Jets will be playing their starters, meaning Walker will get quality looks against a pair of first-round offensive tackles in Olu Fashanu and Armand Membou. He’s ready for the challenge and will rise to the occasion. 

Bold Prediction: David Walker records 2 sacks against the Jets.

Ted Hurst III catches a touchdown in his NFL debut

Hurst has been dominant throughout training camp, and has even begun to draw some comparisons to Buccaneers legend Mike Evans. 

He has been a threat in contested-catch situations and in the red zone, making a handful of explosive plays. That coincides with his college career where 71% of his receptions resulted in either first downs or touchdowns. 

Emeka Egbuka, Jalen McMillan, Tez Johnson, and David Sills V are all dealing with minor injuries, while Chris Godwin Jr. is unlikely to play much, if at all, as a proven veteran. That should make Hurst the No. 1 wide receiver while he’s on the field, and he’ll make the most of the opportunity. 

Bold Prediction: Ted Hurst catches a touchdown pass in his first-ever NFL game.

Jalon Daniels makes a statement in QB3 competition

Daniels was listed as the fourth-string quarterback on the first unofficial depth chart, behind Baker Mayfield, Jake Browning, and Connor Bazelak. 

Mayfield isn’t playing Friday night, and Browning is dealing with a back injury that is expected to keep him sidelined. Bazelak and Daniels will go head-to-head in the preseason opener with the QB3 job on the line. 

Daniels has made quite the first impression in Tampa Bay, with several offensive coaches and even Jason Licht gushing about the undrafted rookie. He’s raw and certainly a developmental project, but he’s attacking the challenge with the right mentality. 

The organization isn’t subtle about the fact they love Daniels and see a future for him in Tampa Bay. But he’s got to earn that with his play on the field, and Friday night is his first big opportunity to do just that. His rocket arm and scrambling ability make him a must-see player against the Jets. 

Bold Prediction: Jalon Daniels steals the show against the Jets, throwing a passing TD and rushing for another TD.

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