Tampa Bay Buccaneers training camp is finally underway. After another impressive season in 2024, the Buccaneers are looking to extend their reign over the NFC South while pushing for true Super Bowl contention.
General manager Jason Licht was able to keep most of the 2024 roster around while adding a few key players. As training camp progresses, there are two key position battles that fans should be watching closely.
Two position battles to watch in Buccaneers training camp
EDGE
At first glance, the starting pair of edge rushers might seem set for Tampa Bay. Yaya Diaby is set to enter his third year, and the Buccaneers signed Haason Reddick in free agency to play opposite him.
But Reddick may not be such a sure thing. He only played half of the 2024 season after a contract dispute with the New York Jets. In ten games for the Jets, he started just once and had three total sacks. At this point in his career, Reddick might be more of a situational pass rusher than a true starter on the edge.
Behind him, Anthony Nelson and David Walker will compete for a starting job. Tampa Bay spent a fourth-round draft pick on Walker, and he might sneak into the starting lineup. In his final season at Central Arkansas, Walker posted 10.5 sacks. He has the size and strength to play on every down while bringing the explosiveness to become a star pass rusher. Look out for Walker in training camp.
Wide Receiver
The Buccaneers have the perfect problem on their hands: they have too many good receivers.
Mike Evans and Chris Godwin were already one of the best receiving duos in the NFL, with Jalen McMillan showing promising signs as a third option. Then, Tampa Bay shocked the NFL world by taking former Ohio State wideout Emeka Egbuka in the first round of April's draft.
Egbuka can play in the slot or out wide, and he'll likely be used in both spots for the Buccaneers. He's an excellent route runner with enough athleticism to separate from defensive backs. You would think that a first-round receiver would immediately step into the starting lineup.
But Jalen McMillan has developed into a true threat in his own right. In the last five games of the 2024 regular season, McMillan scored seven touchdowns and totaled over 300 yards. Would the Bucs bench McMillan after seeing that kind of production?
Egbuka and McMillan will both have roles to play in Tampa Bay's offense this season, but it will be interesting to see who emerges as the Week 1 starter.