TAMPA — You can say this about the Buccaneers: They definitely like homegrown talent.
On Tuesday, the entire 2024 draft class was named to the final 53-man roster, including a staggering 22 of the 23 players selected in the past three drafts. In fact, 26 of the Buccaneers' final 30 picks over the past four years are still with the team.
Receivers Sterling Shepard and Cody Thompson were among those ultimately released, as the Buccaneers decided to keep just five receivers and four tight ends.
Shepard was injured early in camp and didn't compete for the No. 3 receiver position, which was quickly won by University of Washington rookie Jalen McMillan over Trey Palmer. The Buccaneers fell in love with free agent Kameron Johnson, a Division II recruit from Barton College who also serves as the team's primary kick returner.
The Buccaneers retained 11 defensive backs, which speaks to the quality and depth at the position.
All of the 2024 starters were drafted by the Buccaneers, except for quarterback Baker Mayfield and Giants free agent guard Ben Bredeson.
Other players released Monday included quarterback John Wolford, offensive linemen Avery Jones and Luke Haggard, receiver Ryan Miller, running back DJ Williams, defensive linemen CJ Brewer and Mike Green, safeties Marcus Banks and Rashad Wisdom, cornerbacks Chris McDonald and Keenan Isaac, linebackers Daniel Grzesiak, Vi Jones and Antonio Grier and tight end Tanner Taura.
Many of those players will likely return to the practice squad.
What was surprising was that the Buccaneers opted to stick with just five receivers and four tight ends, including Ko Kieft, as new offensive coordinator Liam Cohen plans to use three receivers and one tight end in his base attack.
This team is young, with only three players over 30 years old: Lavonte David, Mike Evans and Will Gholston.
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