10 UFL standouts Buccaneers should sign and bring to training camp
By Brad Smith
Chris Rowland, WR, DC Defenders
With the signing of Sterling Shepard, the Bucs have regrouped and strengthened their wide receiver room, even after releasing Deven Thompkins last month. Between Mike Evans, Chris Godwin, Jalen McMillan, Trey Palmer, and Shepard, Mayfield has the receiver core in his career as he looks to replicate his success from last season.
That said, Tampa Bay lost their top return man in Thompkins, who was the punt and kick returner for the Bics over the last two seasons. Just months ahead of the 2024 season, Tampa Bay still hasn't named their new kick returner, with Rachaad White, Bucky Irving, and Palmer as the other choices to take over.
Amid the first wave of UFL players signed, Chris Rowland, the most productive kick and punt returner in the UFL, is still available and unsigned. Rowland, who caught 20 passes for 262 receiving yards and two touchdowns, was one of the most dynamic players in the league. In ten games, Rowland totaled a UFL-record 1,218 kick return yards and 142 punt return yards, the fifth-highest mark in the league.
Last season, Rowland enjoyed a short stint with Philadelphia as their return man, before the breakout of Britan Covey. After leading the UFL with an astounding 1,651 all-purpose yards in 2024. For Tampa Bay, signing Rowland would be a home-run hit that may solve their issue at kick and punt returner.