4 replacement for Russell Gage after season-ending injury
By Josh Hill
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48. Rakim Jarrett. . . 6'0" | 190 lbs. Rakim Jarrett. Rookie. Rakim Jarrett. 2. player
Among the undrafted rookies who joined the Buccaneers at training camp this year, one of the guys who was circled early on as a potential sleeper was Rakim Jarrett.
With Gage out for the season, Jarrett's now has an opportunity to live up to the hype and fulfill his destiny by earning a roster spot.
Right now he's on the depth chart behind Mike Evans, but he has the right build to slide over and challenge the rest of the guys at slot receiver. He was already third on the depth chart at WR1, and Dave Canales has already been raving about his speed and ability as early as minicamp which seems to put him in a good position for a roster spot to begin with.
Rakim Jarrett continues to impress #GoBucs @953WDAE pic.twitter.com/4XpIWGAHDg
— Jay Recher (@jayRecher) August 5, 2023
If Jarrett already had an inside track to make the team, the loss of Gage might essentially lock him in. The question then becomes whether or not he can make an impact and make up for the loss.
All indications so far in training camp are that Jarrett has what it takes. In fact, he profiles better as a slot receiver due to his size and speed, and his weaknesses are more related to how he'd struggle as a perimeter receiver. He's deadly in zone coverage and has the sort of quickness that might allow him to get out of tight spaces long enough to make some breaks over the middle.
He was already a guy to keep an eye on at camp, and his stock is on the rise even more so now.