Congratulations, Kameron Johnson.
August 27th, 2024
So the Bucs are keeping only five receivers on their initial 53-man roster and one is a rookie from a Division II school.
Will he wear a helmet on Sundays or become a captain of the inactive list? Joe finds it doubtful that the Bucs would go into any game with just four receivers active.
Kameron Johnson, a former high school quarterback at 5 feet 6 inches, went to Division II Barton College in North Carolina and dazzled Bucs coaches and front office types this summer with his route running and smoothness catching punts and kicks. Baker Mayfield gave him a couple of public shoutouts, too.
Undrafted Johnson, now 5-10, didn’t wow in the preseason, but the Bucs are focused on his potential. And they should be.
Who knows how much Johnson can benefit from NFL coaching and whether he can be a threat as a returner?
Still, Joe would caution Bucs fans believing the Tampa Bay receivers room is set. Joe absolutely could see Todd Bowles and general manager Jason Licht pouncing on a veteran receiver with proven skills on punt and kick coverage teams.
Back in 2015, the Bucs cut future stud undrafted rookie receiver/returner Adam Humphries after he made the 53-man roster. Thankfully, they were able to sign him back.
August 27th, 2024 at 10:34 am
Don’t gamble
Can always find a veteran or other camp WR and there are the final surprise veteran names that hit the wire at the deadline
August 27th, 2024 at 10:35 am
5 is a low number, specially when we remember that OC Cohen will play less with 2 TEs
August 27th, 2024 at 10:39 am
I was surprised we didn’t keep 6 but this guys name seemed to be popping up all year outside of the preseason games.
August 27th, 2024 at 10:42 am
Thompson should have had the last spot on the roster not Johnson. I didn’t see that guy do anything in the preseason.
August 27th, 2024 at 10:42 am
That fast, short tight end (Culp?) is basically a bigger wide receiver
August 27th, 2024 at 10:52 am
Thompson and 96 will probably be on the practice squad
August 27th, 2024 at 10:54 am
More tight ends on the roster ,( who aren’t used that much) , than wide recievers , who are used a lot and are more susceptible to injuries than most other positions) , is kind of risky, hopefully we will not run into , (and tempt ), any defenses that historically have paid their players to injure opposing players , ( true dat!).
August 27th, 2024 at 10:54 am
5 receivers 4 tight ends seems really odd considering the offensive system and Cade is the only productive tight end we have. For now all we know about culp is he’s fast Oh well i would have taken another receiver over Ko but I hope we have a great season with a deep playoff run
August 27th, 2024 at 10:55 am
good point @Beeej
August 27th, 2024 at 11:06 am
A couple of those fringe guys should make it to the PS without getting poached. Keeping an extra edge rusher?
August 27th, 2024 at 11:08 am
Beej … ‘That fast, short tight end (Culp?) is basically a bigger wide receiver’.
Excellent point Beej, and I’m wondering if Culp might not be used more this season in a WR role than in a TE role (or some hybrid role between the two). He’s listed as being 6’4″ & 237 lbs, and ran a 4.47 40-yd at the Combine. That’s pretty close to the same size as Mike Evans, who’s listed as 6’5″ & 231 lbs & ran a 4.53 at his Combine (I think Mike’s gotten faster).
August 27th, 2024 at 11:11 am
Thompson should have made the team. He could make a contribution today right now.
Johnson is a project. He belongs on the PS.
Bucs always do this. They love undersized speed guys that fly around during camp cupcake. After a season or two on the field they usually fizzle when the real hitting starts.
Thompson is 6’2″ with hands and speed. He’s a NFL size.
August 27th, 2024 at 11:15 am
Beeej Says:
Culp s basically a bigger wide receiver.
^^^^^^
Yes, sir!
Mike Evans (rookie) 6’5, 231 lbs, 4.53
Devin Culp 6’3, 231 lbs, 4.47
Culp was playing “TE” at Washington because they were stacked at WR, he was the biggest, and it was the Pac12.
August 27th, 2024 at 11:16 am
@DR I think you’re right about Culp. He has said himself that he believes he can excel in the F (Flanker position). Something he didn’t have a lot of opportunity to do at Washington.
August 27th, 2024 at 11:17 am
For those worried about WR depth, Russel Gage and Jaelon Darden have been cut and are free agents to go grab.
August 27th, 2024 at 11:36 am
Keep Shep close.
August 27th, 2024 at 11:59 am
Congratulations Mr. Johnson now please for the love of god don’t go out and look like Jaelon Darden! Don’t run out of bounds on the kick returns, make something happen
August 27th, 2024 at 1:20 pm
we will be in trouble at WR this year………
at Jalen might be able to back up CG if he goes down. Who will back up ME when he pops a hammy?
The better be scouring the waver wire for a 6′ 5″ WR who can run in a straight line and be a standout at throwing his hands up for a flag…..
oh, and he must drop the uncontested long bombs to make the cut
August 27th, 2024 at 1:27 pm
Russell Gauge is available. LOL😱
no, No, NO!!!
Buccaneers do not have a very good history on veteran
receivers.
August 27th, 2024 at 1:28 pm
I wonder how many players Canals will poach out of our practice squad.
August 27th, 2024 at 1:31 pm
Kam won the primary punt and kickoff returner job – an important role…
for those wondering/complaining about Johnson getting a spot over Thompson…
Thompson sure seemed to have “earned” himself a roster spot with all those nice catches in preseason games… but the determining factor for which final 3 or 4 guys will be kept on the 53 man roster – vs 3 or 4 other guys who might also seem deserving of a spot based on their play – is the ability to excel on SPECIAL TEAMS.
Kieft, Funderburk and Josh Hayes all avoided the Turk because they are good special teamers. Just a guess – but Cody Thompson probably isn’t…..
August 27th, 2024 at 1:32 pm
@Boss why are you dogging the best offensive player in Bucs history? So many players have dropped more passes than Mike.
Take a look below:
Tyreek Hill
JaMarr Chase
Cooper Kupp
DJ Moore
Travis Kelce
AJ Brown
CeeDee Lamb
Amon Ra St. Brown
Davonte Adams
Stefon Diggs
Most above have had more drops than Mike last year and all of them have had more in years past.
August 27th, 2024 at 1:36 pm
He’s basically another Deven Thompkins, around the same size and speed – although his college highlights are nowhere near as impressive. Still, the team seems to like having one of these gadget players on the roster, and I for one have no issues with that – but he’s too small to be a WR, those little fellers just get too easily knocked off their routes to do much in that role, but can be valuable as returners, running out of the backfield, and if you play a team that has some sloppy zones. Good for him, nothing I’m saying here is a negative, I liked Thompkins quite a bit.
August 27th, 2024 at 1:40 pm
Defense Rules Says:
August 27th, 2024 at 11:08 am
Beej … ‘That fast, short tight end (Culp?) is basically a bigger wide receiver’.
Excellent point Beej, and I’m wondering if Culp might not be used more this season in a WR role than in a TE role (or some hybrid role between the two). He’s listed as being 6’4″ & 237 lbs, and ran a 4.47 40-yd at the Combine. That’s pretty close to the same size as Mike Evans, who’s listed as 6’5″ & 231 lbs & ran a 4.53 at his Combine (I think Mike’s gotten faster).
———
I watched Culp a bunch this preseason because I wanted to see if that speed would translate to the field — and from what I saw, it did not. He didn’t seem noteable faster than LBs and didn’t really seem to be getting open. Now he’s still learning the offense, and he’s playing a TE role, so those can slow you down – but I was hoping to see him leaping off the screen with those workout numbers and just didn’t see it.
Again, another guy I’m not rooting against, just sharing what I saw. I’d love to see him stick around and see what the Bucs could do with him – but he’s got to work on his hands as well. He’s very very much a project player, but has a strong foundation to build on.
August 27th, 2024 at 1:55 pm
@Rod Munch – Kameron Johnson is not anything like Deven Thompkins who was measured just under 5’7″ 167 lbs at his pro day. Thompkins is basically a slightly shorter Tutu Atwell 5’8″ 167lbs.
Kameron is just under 5’10” and 185lbs. He is only 7lbs lighter than Randall Cobb who he was directly compared to by a current bucs player. They also ran the same exact 40 time (4.46). Now he still has A LOT of work to go before being considered a success in the league let alone like Randall Cobb. But the measurables are strikingly similar and it’s interesting that so many players and coaches see that in him.
I for one hope he gets the punt return gig away from Palmer and houses a couple.
August 27th, 2024 at 2:06 pm
A Bucs Fan Says:
August 27th, 2024 at 1:55 pm
@Rod Munch – Kameron Johnson is not anything like Deven Thompkins who was measured just under 5’7″ 167 lbs at his pro day. Thompkins is basically a slightly shorter Tutu Atwell 5’8″ 167lbs.
Kameron is just under 5’10” and 185lbs.
———
Humm. I see different numbers for him. I see 5′ 8″ on his college workout numbers, and ESPN has him at 170lbs.
August 27th, 2024 at 2:07 pm
I will agree if he’s 5′ 10″ 185 that puts him into a different tier where he can be more than a gadget player.
August 27th, 2024 at 2:20 pm
Ignore Boss. He’s a contrarian.
August 27th, 2024 at 2:28 pm
@Rod Munch- I can’t speak to your sources, but below are most of his Pro Day Results and measurements recorded at NC State this year.
Combine Invite: No
Date: 03/26/24@NCState
Wingspan: 71 5/8
Height: 5’9.5″
Weight: 184
Hand Timed*40 Yrd Dash: 4.48 (Low 4.43- High 4.53)
225 Lb. Bench Reps: 21
Vertical Jump: 37 1/2
Broad Jump: 10’05”
20 Yrd Shuttle: 4.33
3-Cone Drill: 7.05
Adjusted 40 Time Range: 4.46-4.50
August 27th, 2024 at 2:30 pm
Perhaps they are old numbers you found? He was 5’6″ 140lb QB when he graduated high school. Seems he was a late bloomer.
August 27th, 2024 at 2:46 pm
Kam is a big YAC guy that Bowles likes. I hope he can catch the ball better than Palmer. YAC means nothing if you drop the ball and that’s why J-Mac will get more snaps than Palmer.
August 27th, 2024 at 3:45 pm
Seeing Johnson in the Dolphins game, I thought he looked pretty jacked. Definitely not the flea that was Devin Thompkins.
August 27th, 2024 at 4:02 pm
A Bucs Fan Says:
August 27th, 2024 at 2:30 pm
Perhaps they are old numbers you found? He was 5’6″ 140lb QB when he graduated high school. Seems he was a late bloomer.
———
The numbers I saw are supposed to be current, but look like they’re wrong – which is good since that’s much more of a real NFL WR profile. Will be interesting to see what they do with him, and it’s very interesting they keep him as the #5 when they only have 5 WRs, you’d think he’d be a project player, but sounds like they will rely on him early. Would be a huge find by Licht if it works out.
Thanks for showing the full numbers.
August 27th, 2024 at 4:09 pm
Thompson will make the practice squad and get elevated during the season
August 27th, 2024 at 6:19 pm
Those are some good bench reps for his weight!
And he is fast
August 27th, 2024 at 6:37 pm
Thompson is overrated
August 27th, 2024 at 8:00 pm
Guy may not be done growing yet but if he’s 5’10 he’s not that undersized to go against DB”S. I think if Thompson clears the wire they will be added to the practice squad. Todd stated that a key factor in the weird numbers that were kept were because Special Teams and packages they run. Ko is also a fullback at times.
August 27th, 2024 at 8:01 pm
I hope Johnson turns into Freddie Solomon 2.0
August 27th, 2024 at 11:46 pm
Agree with everyone about Culp.
That’s how I viewed him during the draft, a ME type WR. Same with Johnny Wilson out of Fl St (rnd 6, Eagirls).
Wonder if Culp could hold up as a possession receiver
August 28th, 2024 at 4:34 pm
Boss
Keep that same energy about Evans everytime he scores a touchdown and gets us a first down. Only a true clown like yourself will bash the best offensive player Tampa has ever had. Idiot