Keep: Rakim Jarrett
Trey Palmer is rightfully getting most of the attention this preseason, but another wide receiver is standing out as someone who might not only make the cut but have a meaningful impact this season.
Undrafted rookie Rakim Jarrett already had some hype coming into camp, thanks to Dave Canales praising him at minicamp, and he’s so far delivered on the goods. Jarrett didn’t play in the Bucs preseason opener last Friday, but he made the most of his debut on Saturday against the Jets. He didn’t cook anyone like Palmer did in practice last week, but Jarrett needed just three catches to rack up 84 yards and turn in one of the best moments of the night.
Heck of a catch by former Maryland WR Rakim Jarrett. Jarrett is currently leading the Bucs tonight with 84 receiving yards on three catches pic.twitter.com/HuB77KJZWC
— Inside the Black & Gold (@Insideblackgold) August 20, 2023
That’s the sort of play that the Bucs sorely needed last season when the offense was put in tough situations and seemed unable to bail itself out.
Russell Gage was lost for the season after a leg injury during joint practice on Wednesday, which means there’s a vacancy on the depth chart for a guy like Jarrett to fill. After Saturday night — and the offseason he’s had since joining the Bucs — it’s pretty hard to argue against him being one of the receivers in the room when Week 1 rolls around.