Deven Thompkins Pretty Much Has A Roster Spot Wrapped Up
August 8th, 2023
Bucs WR Deven Thompkins.
Joe believes the first four receiver spots are set.
The first two are clear. Mike Evans is having a dominant training camp. Chris Godwin, when Joe sees him make play after play, the first thing that comes to Joe’s mind is, “What knee?”
The Bucs will keep Russell Gage. He’s demonstrating in practice why the Bucs signed him but he’s not tearing up the Bucs’ defense like he did in last year’s training camp.
The problem with Gage, of course, is he still hasn’t fully recovered from blowing out a hamstring in OTAs last year.
The No. 4 receiver will be Deven Thompkins, short of an injury. Almost every day Thompkins demonstrates why the Bucs signed him as an UDFA last spring. Thompkins has serious wheels and the man has the hops to match. He may only be 5-8 but he plays 6-2. (Only one Joe believes in Thompkins.)
The way Bucs coach Todd Bowles spoke of Thompkins yesterday, it sure sounds like he’s on the squad, and perhaps a No. 3 receiver.
“He is not just a punt returner – he is a very good receiver,” Bowles said. “He plays bigger than his size and we like the things he does from a pattern standpoint.
“He has outstanding hands and we’re just looking for him to get better and better. He’s starting to make those plays look routine.”
Last year Thompkins was getting used to the NFL and its talent level. The Fort Myers product played at Utah State. His opponents were not exactly the SEC West.
Thompkins did not make the final 53-man roster cut for the Bucs last September but was signed to the Bucs practice squad. He spent the bulk 2022 bouncing between the Bucs’ practice squad and the 53-man roster.
Joe is stoked about what might be for Thompkins. Let’s just say that Joe knows Bucs offensive coordinator Dave Canales really likes Thompkins.
August 8th, 2023 at 12:32 am
DThompkins is no Jaylen Darden, nor a Jacques Green, or Maurice Stovall, or OJ Howard, Dontae Dye, Kenny Bell, Scotty Miller, or Justin Watson. Contrary to the aforementioned, he use his speed, field awareness, strength, courage, tenacity, n up up and away Dennis Rodman vertical leap to consistently catch the ball at its highest point to prove his worth in the nfl. He is a hungry, fearless, elusive, n tough piece of dynamite. This guy is a natural. He catches everything thrown his way. He’s not a run outta bounds, trip over his feet, or timid type player. This guy has natural skills n abilities n all the pundits n major NFL broadcasters will have no choice but to feature him as a regular on nfl highlights.
August 8th, 2023 at 12:36 am
If nothing else, we will have a very fast offense.
August 8th, 2023 at 12:49 am
With his speed and Canales’ ability to scheme receivers open, Thompkins will be a dangerous weapon if he can stay healthy. I have to draft him in my fantasy league.
August 8th, 2023 at 1:08 am
Tompkins should have had a rooster spot last yr as well instead of Scotty M.iller.
Good hands, and good moves..
August 8th, 2023 at 1:23 am
I like Thompkins a lot, but I think his real numbers are 5-foot-6-7/8 and 155lbs – those are his pro-day numbers I believe. Pretty remarkable he’s doing what he’s doing at that size. Every once in a while one of these guys breaks through, it would be awesome if that guy is him.
August 8th, 2023 at 1:27 am
Can just feel that this dude has an it factor. What little I’ve seen him play he’s got an energy that’s just great and his athleticism is unique to anyone else on the team. That’s a pretty good set of Wars… Now who’s going to be getting them the ball?
August 8th, 2023 at 1:30 am
Rod, isn’t that about the height of Tyreke Hill? We just need to bulk him up a bit.
August 8th, 2023 at 1:45 am
So many other teams have found little “joystick” type bribers in late rounds / as UDFAs, why not the Bucs finally?
The rules for defense today make it easier for these smaller guys to be successful
August 8th, 2023 at 1:45 am
.*burners
Not bribers, lol
August 8th, 2023 at 2:51 am
Let’s put it this way.
I showed my 75 year old parents the pic of him jumping over #81 and they both said, “Oh my gosh”.
Not sure why he is jumping over another receiver in white, and was he defending, but regardless this guy has hops and hands.
Really hoping it translates to game days.
Hopefully the lights aren’t too big like they were for Darden.
August 8th, 2023 at 3:27 am
Ditto on Thompkins Joe.
Hope the timing and trust is there for both of our QBs because I have a feeling he will see the field alot this year.
Go Bucs!
August 8th, 2023 at 3:53 am
As a Utah State alumn that lives in Florida, I love seeing DT get some attention and props! He was a mad baller and truly a game changer for us. He was very loyal and patient as he grew into his position at USU and was a KEY component of the team’s success in 2021 when we won our first Mountain West Conference Championship and went on to beat the Pac12 Oregon State team in the LA Bowl. Hope the BUCS and DT have a solid year. Would love to drive over and see him in action. Go Aggies!
August 8th, 2023 at 5:31 am
U can rest assure that Thompkins is nothing remotely close to former Bucs Darden, Jacquez Green, Dexter Jackson, OJ Howard, Maurice Stovall, Dontae Dye, Kenny Bell, Scotty Miller, or Justin Watson. Contrary to the players mentioned, Thompkins is fearless, fast, elusive, strong, n has an unusual vertical keep for a player his size. The hunger, tenacity, energy, n courage he brings to the game is unlike any of the players mentioned above. He’s a 9-5 true grit hard hat type worker. He a natural, the it factor. ESPN, get ur popcorn ready!!
August 8th, 2023 at 6:54 am
Rod Munch-
I’ve got numbers from NFLDRAFTSCOUT that Thompkins was 5’6 7/8 and 167 lbs at his pro day. He’s listed at 155… to tell the truth. That isn’t bad weight at barely 5’7.
August 8th, 2023 at 7:10 am
Well, you KNOW Evans, Gage and probably Godwin will have hammy problems at some point in the year, hope we keep 7
August 8th, 2023 at 8:03 am
So, what exactly did this guy show last year in preseason and regular season games as a WR and returner? I hope he isn’t the second coming of Kenny Bell. They should give him ALOT of playing time in the preseason as he will have decent QBs throwing to him, even Wolford.
August 8th, 2023 at 8:22 am
Sounds like an upgrade over Scotty Miller
August 8th, 2023 at 8:23 am
dmatt, I hope you are bright. Having someone who can get hot and make plays with that quickness can make Evans and Godwin even more prolific.
All I hear is Canales likes to run and play horizontal. Okay. Get the ball to guys in open space and let them move. This guy seems to fit the bill.
August 8th, 2023 at 8:23 am
It appears Dmatt just discovered a thesaurus.
August 8th, 2023 at 8:41 am
This guy reminds me a young AB!
Loads of talent.