6 Buccaneers players whose stock is soaring after preseason opener

The first game of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers preseason schedule is in the books, and there was a lot to love.

Tampa Bay went into Cincinnati and left with a 17-14 win over the Bengals, one that saw more than a few players step up. We didn't see starters like Baker Mayfield, Mike Evans, or Tristan Wirfs, but that meant other guys were given a chance to start making their case for a roster spot.

It wasn't just fringe players who impressed, as the Bucs rookie class made a rather impressive debut almost across the board. We can't get ahead of ourselves after just one preseason game, but it's time to start buying stock in a few players who seem to be on their way to earning important roles -- or at least making that case in the coming weeks.

6 Buccaneers players whose stock is soaring after preseason opener

Bucky Irving, RB

Of all the rookies that played in the preseason opener, it felt like Bucky Irving had the most impressive night. That's saying a lot considering how light his workload seems if one were to simply look at the box score.

Doing that would overlook the nuances of his debut.

Todd Bowles said it all when he praised Irving after the win. The Bucs coach made sure to shout out how Irving played well at seemingly every level, from pass blocking to the way he was able to find holes that opened up in front of him.

All of that resulted in a 4.6 yards per carry average in his debut, along with a touchdown. It was a small sample size, but so far Irving is doing all the right things to earn a big role alongside Rachaad White this season.

Kaevon Merriweather, S

Last year Christian Izien emerged as the star of Tampa Bay's class of undrafted rookies, but Kaevon Merriweather wasn't too far behind. While he didn't earn a starting role out of camp, he hung around and slowly started to develop into a key part of the Bucs safety depth -- something he's already building upon after one preseason game.

Merriweather had a few great plays that will no doubt stick out when coaches are reviewing tape. He had excellent coverage on Tee Higgins while breaking up a touchdown pass, and later flexed his muscles as a pass rusher in a blitz package.

Safety is still a position where the Bucs don't have a ton of proven depth, which bodes well for Merriweather. Saturday was a fantastic night for him, and is hopefully a sign of things to come.

Trey Palmer and Jalen McMillan, WR

One place on the roster where the Bucs aren't lacking depth is wide receiver, and Saturday was a reminder of how talented the room is. We didn't see Mike Evans or Chris Godwin, but both Trey Palmer and Jalen McMillan had some highlight reel moments.

They combined for three catches and 44 yards, with one drive in particular standing out as a showcase for what they can do together. McMillan hauled in a 19-yard catch-and-run that was followed shortly by a 21-yard catch-and-run by Palmer.

Both of those plays helped set up a touchdown run by Bucky Irving.

When McMillan was drafted, some thought it would edge Palmer out of the picture. Saturday was a glimpse at what they can do as a duo, and the results should excite everyone imagining how things would have gone if Baker Mayfield had been the one under center.

Tykee Smith, S

A lot was made about Bucky Irving and Graham Barton as top performing rookies on Saturday, but Tykee Smith deserves some flowers too. He got the start at nickel corner and quickly made an impact on some plays that might fly under the radar when compared to flashier highlights from his fellow rookies.

One play Smith made involved him stopping Tanner Hudson short of a first down, busting up a third down conversion that seemed to be imminent. Rather than play off Hudson, Smith showed some of his speed and closed quickly to make a drive-ending stop.

It was a small sample, but one that is deeply intriguing given how up-in-the-air things are in the Bucs secondary.

Sean Tucker, RB

A training camp darling last season, Sean Tucker faded into the background after a few missed opportunities during the regular season. He stood out enough during the offseason last year to earn a shot at being the RB2 behind Rachaad White, and while that role is gone and the running back room is crowded, he's making a case for earning a roster spot once again.

Tucker finished as the Bucs leading rusher on the night with 10 carries for 68 yards. We didnt' see Chase Edmonds at all but that's the roster spot Tucker could be gunning for if he keeps building on the night he had in Cincinnati.

He's impressed coaches once, and it seems like he's on his way to doing it again this year. If things keep up, the Bucs will have a tough decision on their hands in a few weeks.

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