The Tampa Bay Buccaneers' roster may not be perfect all-around, but there are solid players who are too valuable to release. That will put other players, even veterans, on the bubble.
NFL players only have a few seasons to pull their weight and prove they belong at this level. That may be the case for 2023 5th-round pick Payne Durham. The tight end is entering the most critical camp of his career.
Entering his fourth season, there are no guarantees that he will make the roster. Given his use the last few seasons, his roster position could be better allocated somewhere else.
Payne Durham's Tampa Bay Buccaneers' future will be on the line when training camp starts
Durham looked to be making strides in his second season. He started six games, posted 11 receptions, and scored two touchdowns. In 2025, that production dropped to a lower level than in his rookie season. He started 10 games, was only targeted four times (1 reception), and didn't find the end zone.
Durham is primarily a blocking tight end, but a recent ESPN look at the Buccaneers' roster showed a problem that the tight end can't hide. His production on the field doesn't improve the offense.
"The Buccaneers' running backs had roughly the same performance with Durham on the field as they had without him"Adam Schatz - ESPN
Despite starting 10 games last year in place of an injured Otton, the comparison of the running back's successes and failures is telling. If a player can't make a team better statistically being on the field, then why is there an investment in that player?
Working in Durham's favor, however, is a weak unit. Otton is the starter, and only he and Ko Kieft have more experience in the league than Durham. With two rookies on the team, one drafted in round six, the TE unit is anemic.
Despite the thin group, Tampa could look for additional help after final cuts are made in late August. That will give Durham a full camp and preseason games to show he deserves a spot on the 53, but it doesn't guarantee him a spot when the season opens.
For Durham, this is a make-or-break camp that wll determine his fate in Tampa Bay.
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