Jason Licht hit a home run in last April's draft, but after further review, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers rookies are playing far more like rookies than anyone expected. That home run may turn into a foul ball.
Now that we gave some Tampa Devil Rays some love with the baseball metaphors, we need to figure out what is going on with this year's rookie class. Are their stocks up or down?
No one stands out more on the negative side than Rueben Bain, but the positives are led by Josiah Trotter, who turned in another positive outing despite the loss to Cleveland in Week 2. If things don't turn around soon for the rookies and the rest of the Buccaneers, Toddy Bowles seat is going to get a lot hotter.
Rueben Bain, Jr. - Edge - 1st round - Stock down
What once seemed like a lock to be mentioned in the Defensive Rookie of the Year chatter now seems like finishing the season without being labeled a bust may be more like it. Bain has been nearly non-existent. Over two weeks, his stats are simple. He has none.
Bain has taken 62% of the Buccaneers' defensive snaps this year. That isn't what you would expect from a first-round draft pick who plays a three-down position. Something isn't clicking for the rookie. Right now, Bain is no more than a penny stock at best.
Josiah Trotter - LB - Second Round - Stock Up
Thank the football gods for Trotter. In Week 1, the rookie posted 11 tackles, one sack, and a pick-six INT. In week 2, he posted 13 tackles. He may not have landed another interception, but Trotter continues to be one of the more consistent tacklers on the team. Though it's only two games, he looks like the real steal of the draft.
Ted Hurst - WR - Third Round - Stock holding steady
Hurst has yet to break out, but he is behind on the depth chart. He has five receptions in two games for 63 yards. That puts him on a trajectory of 536 yards this season. Not bad for a depth WR looking to climb his way up. There has been good flashes from the rookie and by the end of the season, his stock should be much improved.
Keionte Scott - DB - Fourth Round - Stock Down
Scott has nine total tackles. Despite starting the last two games, Scott saw his snap count drop from 73% in week one to 57% in Week 2 while also seeing his special teams snap count increase by nine plays. In coverage, Hurst has been targeted 3 times and has given up 3 receptions for 37 yards. He has yet to register a defended pass. It's not easy for a CB to adjust in his first NFL season, especially after just two games, but given his decline in snaps in Week 2, it's something to keep an eye on.
DeMonte Capehart - DL - Fifth Round - Stock Down
Billy Schrauth - G - Fifth Round - Stock Down
Capehart is one of those stocks that you hold on to because you bought it. Through two games, the 5th-rounder has yet to be active and, as a result, has no statistical data. The same goes for Schrauth, who has yet to be on the active roster. Given the poor offensive line play through two weeks, we would have expected him to be active. We listed their stock as down simply because a 5th-round player should be seeing time on the field.
Bauer Sharp - TE - 6th Round - Stock Up
Sharp has been active in both of the Buccaneers' games this season. He has zero receptions and one combined tackle. He has played just four offensive snaps, but 61% of the special teams snaps. Every time he steps on the field, he is gaining experience. That keeps his stock up.
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