The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are staring down a huge challenge in their wide receiver room after losing Mike Evans this offseason, but ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler just lit a fuse, predicting rookie Ted Hurst III could explode onto the scene if he fixes one key part of his game. Fowler isn’t messing around, saying Hurst could become a serious weapon for the Bucs’ offense this upcoming season. That’s a massive projection for a third-round pick, and it’s all about one skill.
The Rookie Who Could Unlock the Offense
Let’s be real, losing Mike Evans is a gut punch for any team. But the Bucs did lock down Vita Vea and Baker Mayfield with long-term deals, so they’ve got some core pieces. Their receiver room is looking a lot different now though. Emeka Egbuka is their number one guy alongside veteran Chris Godwin. Jalen McMillan is projected as the third receiver, but that might not last if Hurst can step up.
This rookie, Ted Hurst III, is an interesting prospect for sure. He’s a 6-foot-3, 185-pound receiver out of Georgia State, and his college numbers speak for themselves. He snagged 71 passes for 1,004 yards and six touchdowns last season, and the year before that, he hauled in 56 receptions for 961 yards and nine touchdowns. The Buccaneers clearly believe in him, drafting him in Round 3, and now the big question is how fast he can get up to speed.
One Skill Stands Between Him and Stardom
Here’s the kicker, the one crucial skill that ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler says Hurst needs to address: his route-running. Fowler specifically wrote, “Rookie Buccaneers receiver Ted Hurst III will be hard to keep off the field if he can refine his route running.” It’s that simple, yet that complex. Fixing route-running issues is easier said than done for any rookie, but if Hurst nails it, he could easily become a key receiver for Tampa Bay.
Think about it, with Evans gone, the Bucs are missing that big-bodied receiver threat. Hurst, at 6-foot-3, absolutely fits that bill. The potential is there for him to be a major part of the offense, even if he might be a bit raw right now. Fowler thinks Hurst might not be a breakout candidate right from Week 1, and that’s fair. Rookies need time. But by the end of the season? It wouldn’t surprise anyone to see this 22-year-old rookie making a major impact.
Can this guy put it all together and become the game-changer Tampa Bay desperately needs? If he can clean up his routes, the Bucs’ revamped offense just found a serious weapon to watch all season long.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by The Sporting News.
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