Rakim Jarrett Chose Unusual Path To Bucs
July 30th, 2023
Preferred Bucs over Eagles.
It seems Bucs undrafted free agent receiver Rakim Jarrett is a wise man.
Back in April during the NFL draft, the Maryland product got a phone call from the NFC champion Eagles. They were interested in him in the seventh round.
Did he want to come to Philadelphia and catch passes from Jalen Hurts and be a winner? Oh, Jarrett wanted to be a winner. But he primarily wanted his best chance at a job in the NFL.
So after consulting with his agent, Jarrett told the Eagles thanks but no thanks and signed with the Bucs. That’s what Jarrett told Joe last week.
After making a crazy catch along the sidelines Thursday, the catch of the day, Jarrett floored Joe when he said he passed up a chance to be drafted by a great team with one of the best quarterbacks in the league and located just two hours from his home in the Washington, D.C. burbs.
Jarrett told Joe he thought he had a better chance of making the Bucs. A team with Mike Evans and Chris Godwin? Yeah, Jarrett said. He and his agent sort of felt the Bucs are top-heavy at receiver.
“Me and my agent talked about it, and [the Eagles] are more set in stone in their receiver room,” Jarrett said. “I think it was a better opportunity to come here.”
Also, Jarrett believes he can put more plays on tape with Tampa Bay in order to catch on with another team down the road in case he gets cut.
“Play my role [with the Bucs] for however long and to make the next step and to compete for a job,” Jarrett said. “Right now, I’m just worried about making the 53 [with the Bucs].”
Jarrett is putting up decent tape. He’s made good catches and he’s been active with both the first- and second-teams in training camp.
“Name of my position is wide receiver,” Jarrett explained. “No matter the throw, my job is to catch it. I had one drop today and I’m kind of upset with myself.”
Another reason Jarrett chose to sign with the Bucs is he wanted to learn from Evans and Godwin. He bragged how the star receivers are “pro’s pros.” In particular, Jarrett considers himself to be a physical receiver like Godwin. So Jarrett said he tries to copy everything he sees Godwin do.
If it’s good enough for a stud like Godwin, then he knows it is good enough for him.
“He’s a receiver but he does the dirty work,” Jarrett explained. “He blocks. And that’s a complete receiver to me. He does whatever he can do help the team win.
“We kind of have the same body type. Why wouldn’t you want to watch [and learn] from him and Mike Evans?”
Like most players (all?), Jarrett is chomping at the bit to put the pads on. He wants to show he can do more than just catch the rock.
“I haven’t been blocking the Devin Whites or Lavonte Davids,” Jarrett joked. “But when I get the pads on, I think I will show my physicality and what I can do in the blocking game and what I can do as a receiver.”
July 30th, 2023 at 1:57 am
Dude has the potential to be good for them if they give him a chance. Same with Sean Tucker & Ronnie Brown.
July 30th, 2023 at 3:09 am
I believe a healthy Jarrett makes the 53.
July 30th, 2023 at 3:44 am
Sounds like Jarrett’s already taking the big-picture view of what it takes to succeed in the NFL long-term. Good for him; if he’s got what it takes, he’ll make it, with us or with someone else. Smart young man.
July 30th, 2023 at 3:51 am
Cool!
Hope he puts up 3 TDs against the ^%$#ing Eagles!
Go Bucs!
July 30th, 2023 at 3:53 am
“I haven’t been blocking the Devin Whites or Lavonte Davids,” Jarrett joked.
.
.
I weigh 215, and I’d hate to try to block David. This guy might need some weight room. Like the enthusiasm though. 🏈
July 30th, 2023 at 4:57 am
Where did he play his college ball?
July 30th, 2023 at 6:39 am
ANDDDDDDDD…what does he do to contribute on special teams?
July 30th, 2023 at 7:13 am
Good pick. Balanced mindset. Good agents.
I can’t wait to see him in preseason games.
Licht does it again.
July 30th, 2023 at 7:39 am
@Hodad he played at Maryland and caught passes from Tua’s brother… which honestly might be the only reason he went undrafted at all.
July 30th, 2023 at 8:03 am
@Tony: My guess is that Sean Tucker makes the 53 and Ronnie Brown makes the practice squad. What a great time of year – talking football on JBF with fellow fans and getting geeked for the season! Love you dudes!
July 30th, 2023 at 8:20 am
“got a phone call from the NFC champion Eagles. They were interested in him in the seventh round.”
It doesn’t work that way. If the Eagles were going to draft him in rd 7 they would have just selected him – called and said congratulations you are an Eagle.
What almost certainly happened was Philly called him DURING the 7th rd trying to get him to sign with them as a UDFA if he didn’t get drafted…. a phone call that Licht had already made – and Jarrett chose the Bucs for the reasons given.
July 30th, 2023 at 8:46 am
Rakim Jarrett ran a 4.44 in the 40, similar to Chris Godwin. I think Godwin is an inch taller but Jarrett looks just a physical, so I can see the comparison. Not saying he is going to be as good as Chris but has a descent chance of making the 53 cut. Looks like he is in position with Trey Palmer to grab the last spot.
July 30th, 2023 at 8:53 am
I’m excited to see some of these young guys show out in the preseason. Hope he can shine with the lights on. Like his mentality and Godwin is a great pro to mold yourself after for sure.
July 30th, 2023 at 9:27 am
Yes, the Bucs need a number 4 and 5 WR. Maybe a #3 with Gage’s injuries. However, I keep hearing Joe say every other receiver on the roster will be/could be awesome with stories on:
Deven Thompkins
Kade Warner
Trey Palmer
David Moore
Taye Barber
and now Rakim Jarrett
Ryan Miller and Kaylon Geiger are waiting for your story on them. I think Joe is just trying to cover his bases.
July 30th, 2023 at 10:09 am
Good call, Pickgrin
July 30th, 2023 at 10:19 am
Back at you Lt Dan!
July 30th, 2023 at 5:26 pm
Hadn’t really paid much attention to him, but just looking up his scouting info… Has an 8.42 RAS score, which is very good, so he has the physical attributes to play. His vertical leap is above average, but nothing special. From reading comments on him, it sounds like he’s a sloppy route runner and has cases of the dropies. I can see why he’d come here, as route running and concentration issues can be fixed, in particular when working around pros.
Would be awesome to get an UDFA like this and turn him into something.
July 31st, 2023 at 8:55 am
My preliminary guess is that he will make the team as the WR4 or 5 along with Thompkins and Palmer rounding out the starting six.
Warner, Geiger Barber to the PS.
As for David Moyes I don’t know what he really brings to the team other than experience in the system.
I think he is there to help get offense installed and as injury insurance but think he ends up being a late cut or hours to practice squad if eligible.