On Thursday, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, ahead of their 2024 campaign, have waived an injured wide receiver amid OTAs. It’s no secret that the NFL, a multi-billion dollar organization, is a cutthroat operation. With parity at an all-time high (outside the Kansas City Chiefs) in America’s top sports league, roster reconstruction continues, constantly jeopardizing the jobs of non-star players. Tampa Bay made a tough decision on Friday, cutting a former undrafted wide receiver after fighting his way into a rotation role last year.
According to NFL insider Aaron Wilson, the Buccaneers have waived-injured wide receiver Deven Thompkins after the conclusion of their second window of OTAs. Tampa Bay signed former Washington wideout Jalen McMillan the day prior, a third-round pick in last month’s NFL draft. With the addition of a trio of undrafted wide receivers, the injured Thompkins became a roster casualty heading into next month’s mandatory minicamp.
Former Tampa Bay Buccaneers WR Deven Thompkins: Let Go By Club
![BREAKING: Tampa Bay Buccaneers Part Ways With Rotational Wide Receiver Ahead of Mandatory Minicamp - REPORT - 2024 Offseason 1 Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Deven Thompkins, wide receiver](https://gridironheroics.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/etoc9szl5g4fiqniicjd-e1709678706298.jpg)
Deven Thompkins, a superstar at Utah State, failed to hear his name called during the 2022 NFL draft despite a 1,704-year receiving season. Thompkins landed with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers as an undrafted free agent. The NFC South club waived Thompkins before the regular season but elevated the Utah State product from the practice squad in Week 13. He finished his rookie campaign with five catches for 32 yards while returning 12 kickoffs. He also operated as the team’s kick returner in the postseason.
Thompkins played a much more significant role last year, recording 17 receptions, 83 yards, and a touchdown in 17 games. His best game of the season came against the New Orleans Saints in early October, snagging four passes for 45 yards and a score. He again played a substantial role on special teams as a returner. Thompkins caught one pass in the playoffs while returning three punts and a kickoff.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers: WR Depth Chart
![BREAKING: Tampa Bay Buccaneers Part Ways With Rotational Wide Receiver Ahead of Mandatory Minicamp - REPORT - 2024 Offseason 2 tampa bay buccaneers mike evans](https://gridironheroics.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/MjAzMTQ1NTM5NjQwODk1MDQz.webp)
Now released wideout Deven Thompkins finished sixth on the team regarding receptions in 2023. As a result of his release on Friday, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers will now need to replace his production and role as a rotational pass-catcher. The trio of Mike Evans, Chris Godwin, and Trey Palmer will return next fall, but third-round draft pick Jalen McMillan should play a significant role in 2024. Meanwhile, the Bucs added Kameron Johnson, Latreal Jones, and Tanner Knue as undrafted free agents. Knue had a solid college career, catching 154 passes for 1,866 yards in four years with the Eastern Michigan Eagles.
Tampa Bay also has Rakim Jarrett, Raleigh Webb, Ryan Miller, and Cephus Johnson III in the receiver room. All former undrafted free agents in the past two years, Jarrett is the only pass-catcher to record a reception in an NFL regular season game.
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