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The Tampa Bay Buccaneers announced the eleven undrafted free agents they had signed to contracts over the weekend, along with three corresponding releases to keep the team under the 90-man roster limit.
According to the team's website, the Bucs inked deals with the following rookies:
Player |
Pos. |
College |
Josh Allen |
G |
Louisiana-Monroe |
Nate Askew |
LB |
Texas A&M |
Aaron Burks |
WR |
Boise State |
Euclid Cummings |
DT |
Georgia Tech |
Keith Lewis |
CB |
Virginia-Lynchburg |
Andrew Miller |
G |
Virginia Tech |
Matt Patchan |
T |
Boston College |
Solomon Patton |
WR |
Florida |
Brett Smith |
QB |
Wyoming |
Chaz Sutton |
DE |
South Carolina |
Mycal Swaim |
S |
Eastern Michigan |
None of these names are surprises, as they were all included in the post-draft information collected from various Tweets and reports. It is interesting to note, however, that ULM center Josh Allen is listed as a guard in the Buccaneers' announcement, and that Matt Patchan (who has been linked with a move to guard) is listed as a tackle.
The highlights of this UDFA class are the two best athletes of the bunch, Smith and Patton. Smith is a project quarterback with a ton of upside, while Patton is a crazy-fast receiver with a slight build. You can read more about Smith and his teammate Robert Herron by clicking here.
So what will happen with the remaining players on the list we compiled over the weekend? Some of those players may sign with other teams, while most are likely tryout prospects who will get a chance to earn a contract that will bring them to training camp later this summer. We already know that Geogria offensive lineman Kenarious Gates and Jacksonville State tight end Gavin Ellis will likely be given tryouts this summer, and many of the other players linked with the Bucs will get the same opportunity.
The team also announced that fullback Josh Baker, corner Bobby Felder and tight end Steve Maneri had been released. Felder had been with the team the longest, but none figured to be in the mix for a roster spot this summer.
The roster currently sits at 89 players, according to Scott Smith of the Bucs' official website. That means there's a spot open for another free agent, or to bring in a veteran still on the market.