Breakout Rookie
May 19th, 2021
First-year impact?
The Bucs had a rare predicament when preparing for the NFL Draft.
Where is a rookie supposed to get snaps?
The Bucs bring back 22+1 starters from a Super Bowl winner. Even then, the Bucs are two- if not three-deep at some positions, even at receiver.
So when Chris Roling of Bleacher Report suggested Bucs rookie receiver Jaelon Darden could make an impact this year, Joe thought that was a bit more than interesting.
Darden, 5’9″ and 174 pounds, continues to add muscle to his frame, but that didn’t stop him from breaking out last year to the tune of 1,190 yards and 19 touchdowns, averaging 16.1 yards per catch. He had nearly 2,000 receiving yards and totaled 31 touchdowns over his final two collegiate seasons. His main competition for playing time such as Scotty Miller only had 501 yards and three scores last year.
Darden’s continued physical development and wicked-fast skill set could make him a favorite of Tom Brady early on, which would be bad, bad news for defenses already desperate just to contain Mike Evans and Chris Godwin.
Well, just because Darden is a little guy doesn’t mean he’s somehow a rival to Scotty Miller, another small guy.
Darden in college was a slot receiver. Bucs Super Bowl-winning coach Bucco Bruce Arians has raved about Darden’s hands in traffic and how he is “fearless” going over the middle.
Miller would get snapped in half if he was a slot guy in the NFL.
So when Joe reads people saying Darden and Miller would be fighting for playing time, that to Joe is an apples-to-oranges comparison. They will likely be playing two different positions. Miller out wide, Darden at slot.
May 19th, 2021 at 10:03 am
I can see how Jaelon Darden could make an impact this year.
He has HUGE Hands, and is flat out dangerous once he has the ball!
May 19th, 2021 at 10:10 am
He and Scotty appear to be completely different players. What I am most looking forward to from Jaelon is to see how his change of direction and elusiveness translates to the NFL. He’s got pretty good straight line speed but by 40 time Scotty was faster. However it’s obvioius in Jaelons highlights that his quickness and change of direction appear to be next level so I am excited to see how he eludes tacklers on the next level….regardless of if that’s as a returner or some part of the offense.
May 19th, 2021 at 10:16 am
Multiple reports from his pro day say he is 5’7 … similar to Sproles
May 19th, 2021 at 10:23 am
This guys highlights are videogame stuff. If he can translate that to the pro field he is going to be a very fun guy to watch. I’m hoping Brady can figure out how to use a shifty sure handed WR that can generate YAC. /S
May 19th, 2021 at 10:31 am
Gunner Olszewski had 346 punt return yards for the Patriots in 2020–that alone would be a big contribution by Darden, compared with Mckens’ 99 yards. Any receiving yards would be gravy. Not much opportunity for WR 7.
May 19th, 2021 at 10:31 am
Why do people always say ‘ you can’t compare apples to oranges’?
They are both fruit!
Now, ‘apples to onions’ I get.
May 19th, 2021 at 10:37 am
If Dardin plays the slot, Godwin would then move back to the outside, opposite of Evans, leaving Miller out of the picture in a 3 WR set. So yes, Miller is going to lose a lot of playing time, especially if he compete with Brown and Tyler Johnson as the 4th WR. Miller better add some muscle and work his but off on special teams or he’s going to be cut.
May 19th, 2021 at 10:38 am
Agree Joe! I could see Darden replacing AB next year. I’m assuming AB has another good year and he gets paid as a free agent. Scott Miller is not going to be that expensive and the Bucs can probably retain his unique skill set.
May 19th, 2021 at 10:40 am
@SB The fact that they are both fruit is exactly why people say it. It shows just because they are both food and fruit it doesn’t mean they are the same thing. Just like Scotty and Jaelon are both fast WR’s who are undersized yet they are completely different in skillset. Hence apples to oranges.
May 19th, 2021 at 10:49 am
Scotty is not in danger of his spot he is clearly Wr #4 and on a team that as of the last 8 games of the season including the post season averaged nearly 40 points a game. Imo he was the most consistent receiver on our team the entire year. I love me some scooter Miller and iam just as excited about Darden as i was about scooter. Scotty is no doubt faster but Darden is much quicker and elusive.
May 19th, 2021 at 10:54 am
Agree with Iambeau – Punt returns were a (our only?) consistent weakness last year. If Darden can fix that, wow. No team weaknesses.
May 19th, 2021 at 10:57 am
I was joshin’ Mitch 🙂
May 19th, 2021 at 10:57 am
Tom has a nice problem–using all 7 terrific receivers.
But don’t be too quick to replce AB, who was considered the top receiver in the NFL 2 years ago, which is why the Raiders and Patriots gave him $20 M per year.
May 19th, 2021 at 10:57 am
AlabamaBucsFan Says:
May 19th, 2021 at 10:37 am
If Dardin plays the slot, Godwin would then move back to the outside, opposite of Evans, leaving Miller out of the picture in a 3 WR set. So yes, Miller is going to lose a lot of playing time, especially if he compete with Brown and Tyler Johnson as the 4th WR. Miller better add some muscle and work his but off on special teams or he’s going to be cut.
Are you honestly saying Miller could be cut……please never comment on player evaluation again I’m pretty sure your player evaluation card has been revoked. Let’s cut bait with Scotty and keep Justin Watson since Darden is so good that Chris Godwin can’t keep his job. Darden is definitely a starting returner and a backup slot receiver on this bucs team
May 19th, 2021 at 11:10 am
I’m sorry how is this guy playing in the slot when Godwin doesn’t come off the field. They would really do that for a rookie and they didn’t even do that with Antonio brown and we at least know he’s a better blocker and receiver sort of the same build as the rookie. He is competing with Miller who only had 500 yards because brown didn’t join the team until week 8
Miller and Darden will struggle to see the field. Darden isn’t taking snaps from both Miller And Tyler Johnson unless he has some out of the world training camp and preseason. We are so dramatic about rookies we know nothing about. What he did in college is irrelevant to the nfl.
May 19th, 2021 at 11:17 am
^^^^
May 19th, 2021 at 11:25 am
SB … The progressives(?) of this world are already lining up to accuse you of being pro-apple and anti-onion. And the pro-orange types are butt-hurt because you passed right over them. It’s a tough world out there.
May 19th, 2021 at 11:29 am
I’ve never seen you so enthralled with a 4th Round draft pick Joe. Can’t wait until he plays his first real NFL game to see him in action. Prior to that, he’s just another rookie fighting to make the team. Our SUPER BOWL TEAM. Hmmm, got a hunch some other guys fighting to make the team might have something to say about that.
May 19th, 2021 at 11:49 am
Couldn’t agree more Joe, not a Miller competition. There is plenty of room for talent on this roster in all areas, let the practices begin and watch the Cream rise to the top, scoop it off and lets GO!!!!
May 19th, 2021 at 12:02 pm
A natural born big play football player!
Kid has lived in the glow off BIG WOW !
Plays since he first picked up a football!
The kid has the intangible, elusive blessing of “IT “
Gonna be some spilled beer next season!
May 19th, 2021 at 12:04 pm
Yeah, and both Scotty Miller and Jaelon Darden are receivers (fruit). But different receivers (apples/oranges).
May 19th, 2021 at 12:14 pm
How many times does it have to be pointed out? BA slot WRs are blockers! Ward, Fitzgerald, Godwin… seriously? Do you people pay attention at all? Did you pay attention when BA specifically said Darden will play outside for us and then compared him to only outside WRs? Is it lazy thinking or stupidity? Not sure, I just know I’m sick of seeing it.
May 19th, 2021 at 12:16 pm
I’m glad I am not the one responsible for figuring out how to get all of these weapons on the field.
Our starting three wide receiver set will likely be Evans, Godwin, AB… so when we talk about Miller/Tyler/Darden, we are really talking about the 4th receiver.
That, my friends, is a textbook example of being STOCKED with high caliber ammunition.
May 19th, 2021 at 12:43 pm
Miller is a burner. Darden is a breaking-ankles gear shifter. Totally different styles.
May 19th, 2021 at 12:43 pm
This offense keeps setting itself up as a high flying passing attack team, but I think its all smoke and mirrors. The mantra this season will be ball control. Move the chains, and let the defense get the ball back. Darden still fits in if he can be consistent on kick returns. Is this the year we add special teams as one of our strengths?
May 19th, 2021 at 12:52 pm
The guy needs to make the team first then worry about getting on the field and actually being active on Sundays; there is a reason this guy was not a first 2 day draft pick; right now his only chance on the team is he can catch punts
May 19th, 2021 at 1:03 pm
The argument in the comments is silly. Let’s be clear. No receiver plays every snap so you need depth at all 3 positions. Second, it’s possible to line up 2 receivers in the slot. Imagine lining Darden up in the backfield then shifting him into the slot before the snap. I know others have said this but Miller has elite straight line speed. Licht said that the bucs clocked him at 4.30. Scouts on Twitter had him in the 4.2s. Two totally different skill sets
May 19th, 2021 at 2:09 pm
Don’t forget, Evan’s and Godwin were both banged up much of the year. Now they can afford to rest a few guys here and there.
May 19th, 2021 at 2:09 pm
I could see the Bucs using Darden on gadget plays, especially bubble screens, and getting him in a spread formation where he is isolated man to man, because his feet are too quick and he’s going to make the first guy miss.
May 19th, 2021 at 2:54 pm
From what I hear from Bucs Rookie practice he definitely has “twitch” and should cause quite a stir in the return game. I am happy if thats the “big impact” that he brings and anyone that has that much speed and moves would probably see a play or two on game day sent his way. I am thinking reverse or WR screen is the pertect play for him
May 19th, 2021 at 3:28 pm
@SB
You are right! And Smart!
May 19th, 2021 at 6:14 pm
Seems like a young AB to me…his short area ability is literally mesmerizing
May 19th, 2021 at 6:39 pm
Buc-em-up84 Says: “Are you honestly saying Miller could be cut……please never comment on player evaluation again I’m pretty sure your player evaluation card has been revoked. Let’s cut bait with Scotty and keep Justin Watson since Darden is so good that Chris Godwin can’t keep his job. Darden is definitely a starting returner and a backup slot receiver on this bucs team.”
Let’s do the math. Evans, Godwin and Brown are safe. Tyler Johnson, Darden, Scotty Miller and Justin Watson are fighting for positions. Bucs mostly will keep 6 WRs.
Darden is safe because he is going to be the Bucs returner. That leaves two more. Tyler Johnson has promise and most likely will stay. 5’8″ Miller is fast but does not contribute to Special Teams much. Watson is ok as a WR but great on Special Teams. Do the Bucs risk keeping Watson or Miller? I think it is 50/50.
May 19th, 2021 at 6:42 pm
I can see the bucs designing some screen plays for this guy, theres always need for speed.
May 19th, 2021 at 8:33 pm
Can we get Johnson involved first.
May 20th, 2021 at 5:01 am
This is what happens when national guys/gals talk out of their butts about our team. You’d think that being super bowl champs would get these folks to do their homework and know the dynamics of our team. It’s also what makes Joebucsfan so invaluable to fans because they know what they hell they are talking about.
May 20th, 2021 at 5:35 am
Something to that apple/orange or apple/onion comparison: Just type
‘Mom, can I have this apple? – That’s not an apple!’
into your favorite search enging and enjoy 🙂
May 20th, 2021 at 6:07 am
Warrick Dunn wasn’t such a large man but he was on and off the field. Even me a Gator fan appreciated Warricks play and heart for helping others.