Shilo Sanders and 4 Bucs rookies whose stock is exploding after preseason debut

We finally have Tampa Bay Buccaneers football back in our lives, and it was a glorious thing to behold on a few different levels.

Aside from the mere fact that the NFL is back, there was a lot to love about the Bucs in their 29-7 blowout win over the Titans on Saturday night. It wasn't just the result that was nice, it was how Tampa Bay got there and who helped the team -- and themselves -- in the preseason opener.

5 Buccaneers rookies whose stock is exploding after preseason debut

J.J. Roberts, Safety

A lot has been made about what seems to be another stellar undrafted free agent class for the Bucs, and already J.J. Roberts is leading the charge. Tampa Bay bet on him right away, giving Roberts a three-year rookie contract worth $2.9 million and $300,000 guaranteed.

That's a signficant investment and already it's one that is paying off nicely.

Roberts was locked down in coverage against the Titans all night, playing so well that he forced an interception that landed in the hands of Tyrek Funderburk. We've seen UDFAs like Christian Izien and Sean Tucker rise to the occasion in the past, and Roberts' debut suggests he's primed to take that torch and run with it.

Emeka Egbuka, Wide Receiver

When the Bucs drafted Emeka Egbuka with the 19th pick in the draft, more than a few eyebrows were raised. Tampa Bay's wide receiver room was already among the best in the league and the team had just spent $60 million to re-sign Chris Godwin about a month prior.

Anyone doubting what Jason Licht was thinking is already being reminded of how misguided that thought process is. Licht has taken big swings on prospects before, and his gamble on Egubka is already looking incredibly smart.

Egbuka caught just one pass but needed two throws to prove that the hype around him is for real. He hauled in a 21-yard reception and nearly had a highlight reel one-handed touchdown catch on his other target.

It's just one game, but Egbuka playing alongside Mike Evans and Chris Godwin -- with Jalen McMillan mixed in as well -- already seems like a dream for the Bucs and a nightmare for opposing defenses.

Nick Jackson, Linebacker

For as much hype as there is around the Bucs' UDFA class this year, Nick Jackson has sort of flown under the radar. That changed in a big way on Saturday when he turned in the type of performance that helped showcase why he might earn a roster spot when all is said and done.

Jackson led the team in tackles with six and also recorded Tampa Bay's first sack of the game. He polished it all of by coming down with an interception that stopped a Tennessee drive just as it was starting to get going.

We've seen Todd Bowles dig deep into the bag to find linebackers to populate the depth chart with and Jackson's performance no doubt puts him in that conversation. He won't be challenging anyone for a starting role just yet, but he could be on a path like J.J. Russell was to playing his way into an important role at a position that badly needs to figure out some depth this season.

Jacob Parrish, Cornerback

With Benjamin Morrison injured and unlikely to play in the preseason, all eyes were on Jacob Parrish as the other top cornerback the Bucs landed in this year's draft.

He didn't dissapoint.

Tampa Bay doubled up on secondary help on Day 2 this year, with Parrish being the second cornerback the team drafted. He was dubbed the 'Slot Demon' on draft night and Bucs fans got a nice taste of that right away.

It wasn't a clean start, as he had some tough matchups against Calvin Ridley and Tyler Lockett. However, it's clear based on those assignments that the Bucs view Parrish as someone who can step in immediately and start making an impact, as putting a rookie up against those two guys is certainly a good way to test him.

Parrish finished the night with a pair of pass deflections, and neither Ridley nor Lockett found the endzone. It was a great debut that has fans wanting more of what Parrish was showing off on Saturday.

Shilo Sanders, Safety

Perhaps no rookie outside of Emeka Egbuka has garnered more national attention for the Bucs than Shilo Sanders. His Hall of Fame lineage and the baggage he brought from the Colorado circus had some wondering if he'd make a positive impact but he's done nothing but since arriving in Tampa.

Not only has Sanders been a model teammate and all-around human being off the field, but we also saw on Saturday that he has the chops to battle for a roster spot.

He had a fantastic blitz on Brandon Allen to force an incompletion and was also instrumental in forcing a stop that prevented the Titans from scoring. He still has an uphill battle to earning a roster spot but he proved in the preseason opener that he's more than capable and might be someone the Bucs keep around in som capacity this season.

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