The dust has settled on the Tampa Bay Buccaneers’ win over the New York Jets in the preseason opener, and Todd Bowles has had time to evaluate the film.
Several standouts emerged immediately, with players like quarterback Jalon Daniels and cornerback Ayden Garnes jumping off the screen with splash plays.
But the tape revealed insights that might not have been available during live viewing, and Bowles walked away impressed with an undrafted linebacker.
Todd Bowles names under-the-radar Tampa Bay Buccaneers standout from preseason opener
Bowles spoke to reporters after practice Monday and was asked if there were any players that impressed him when watching the game film.
“I thought [Caden] Fordham had a heck of a ballgame at the linebacker spot and we don’t talk about him much with the depth there as well but I thought he played very well,” Bowles said.
Fordham finished with three total tackles, including one tackle for loss, as well as a pass defensed in his NFL debut.
Before signing with the Buccaneers as an undrafted free agent, Fordham spent five seasons at N.C. State, appearing in 48 games. He recorded 252 total tackles including 18 tackles for loss, along with 4.5 sacks, two interceptions and a forced fumble.
If Fordham can somehow make the Buccaneers roster, he already has some history in Raymond James Stadium. The Wildcats won the Gasparilla Bowl in his final collegiate season, played on the Bucs’ home field. Fordham was named the game’s MVP — the first ever defensive player to win the award — with 13 tackles and an interception.
Despite a strong preseason debut, Fordham still has his work cut out for him to earn a roster spot. Alex Anzalone, Josiah Trotter, SirVocea Dennis and Christian Rozeboom are all firmly ahead of him on the depth chart, and Tampa Bay only kept four inside linebackers last season.
If they follow that trend, Fordham would not only have to convince them to keep a fifth linebacker, but he’d also have to beat out Nick Jackson, John Bullock, and Javin Wright for that spot.
If Fordham wants to have a future with the Buccaneers, his best bet is to earn a practice squad spot this year, continue to take advantage of every opportunity, and develop into a player the Buccaneers can eventually trust on the active roster.
The hardest job is already done: on a crowded 90-man roster, Fordham managed to stand out and get on Bowles’ radar with his impressive play. He just needs to stay the course and build on that momentum, and he could be wearing red and pewter on Sundays in the seasons to come.
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