Buccaneers rookie TE Bauer Sharp just put Devin Culp on notice

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers badly needed to upgrade the tight end position this offseason.

Behind Cade Otton, there’s a lack of proven production on the depth chart. Bucs tight ends not named Otton combined for just two catches last year.

Tampa Bay addressed the concern by selecting Bauer Sharp out of LSU in the sixth round of the NFL Draft. The rookie had a solid performance in his preseason debut against the New York Jets, and he might’ve delivered the knockout punch to one of the team’s tight ends fighting for a roster spot. 

Bauer Sharp could force Devin Culp off of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers roster 

Sharp caught four of his five targets for 24 yards against the Jets. He wasn’t perfect by any means; he dropped his first target of the night and also had a fumble that luckily bounced out of bounds to avoid a turnover. 

But Sharp was an active part of the passing game, tying for second on the team in receptions. He made more plays than Culp, who finished with one catch for 14 yards. 

The team’s other backup tight ends, Payne Durham and Ko Kieft, didn’t make any catches, so you may be wondering why Culp is being singled out. That’s because Durham and Kieft are valuable as blockers, and Kieft is one of Tampa Bay’s best special teams players. 

Kieft earned the highest Pro Football Focus grade of any Buccaneer during the preseason opener with an elite 92.7 grade. His contributions don’t always show up in the stat sheet, but he’s a crucial part of the team. 

Culp, on the other hand, doesn’t offer much as a blocker, so making big plays in the receiving game is his only true path toward carving out a role. But through two seasons, he’s totaled just six catches for 94 yards and a touchdown. That might not be enough to stick around. 

Sharp, in addition to his receiving upside, was also drafted for his reputation as a willing and violent blocker. He certainly has a long way to go in his development, but after seeing him show immediate flashes of potential in his debut, the Bucs have to be excited about his long-term upside.

With Culp failing to emerge so far as a viable receiving threat, it sure seems like his time in Tampa Bay could be winding down.

The Buccaneers’ decision to draft Sharp could ultimately prove to be the final nail in Culp’s coffin, unless he comes on strong for the rest of the preseason.

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