Buccaneers sign four free agents out of rookie minicamp, waive six

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers have signed (or will sign) four players out of rookie minicamp, the team announced today. Tackle Edawn Coughman, linebacker Jared Koster and wide receivers Donteea Dye and Adam Humphries all received a contract today. The signing of Dye had first been reported by Greg Auman, while Roy Cummings managed to break the other three signings.

Dye, Koster and Humphries are all undrafted rookies who were  at rookie minicamp on a tryout basis, and apparently impressed enough to earn a roster spot. Dye and Koster are both small-school players, from Heidelberg University and New Mexico Highlands University, respectively. They don't have a lot of experience playing at a high level, but they may be diamonds in the rough as well. Coughman, on the other hand, is a veteran -- more or less. The 6'4", 313 lbs. lineman hasn't played in the NFL, but has played in the CFL in 2011 before bouncing around the Seahawks', Cowboys', Bills' and Bucs' rosters and practice squads for three years.

To make room for these signings, the Bucs waived six players: safety Shelton Johnson, wide receiver Chandler Jones, wide receiver Solomon Patton, wide receiver Josh Reese, linebacker Michael Reynolds and local player and fan-favorite Matt Patchan. Of these players, only Patton had played a role of significant for the Bucs, acting as a kick and punt returner toward the end of last season.

The Bucs now have two open roster spots, which they're likely to fill over the next couple of days as teams cut a few of their veterans. The Bucs have the top waiver priority in the league, which gives them first shot at any players released by other teams they may be interested in.