This week, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers will play their first preseason game. With that, the team released their first unofficial depth chart Tuesday. Now, the big word to highlight here is “unofficial”, but it still gives us an idea of what the team might be thinking.
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There were no big surprises in the way things shaped out. Rookies are listed as second string as they look to earn their place on the roster and other than that it is what most projected. However, there was one name that was listed lower than he was last year who I have speculated could be on his way out of town.
That would be tight end Ko Kieft. The third year big man out of Minnesota has become something of a cult classic as the 6th round pick latched on with the Bucs in 2022. His flowing red hair, gritty playstyle and nasty blocking ability have made fans fall in love with his style.
However, there is a significant flaw to Kieft’s game. That would be that he is almost a nonfactor as a pass catcher. In 33 games over the last two seasons, he has just 8 career receptions for 82 yards. That’s not going to cut it.
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Of course, the Bucs always knew that this is what Kieft would bring. He has been on the roster for his blocking ability. His versatility has also been nice, moving from tight end to fullback to wing whenever asked to.
The problem is, the Buccaneers offense is changing. New offensive Coordinator Liam Coen seems to be going to more of a spread out approach that will feature only one tight end and one running back on the field most of the time. This means no room on the field for Kieft as a tight end or fullback.
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Even in situations where the Bucs want to go big and use multiple tight ends, it might be more beneficial to give opportunities to more capable pass catchers and try to bulk them up and have them grow into that blocking role. For example Payne Durham, who is currently listed as the second string tight end, has the frame to become a powerful blocker in the NFL and has shown at the college level that he has dependable hands in the passing game.
There was also the addition of 7th round rookie Devin Culp in the most recent NFL draft. Culp will likely never be a strong blocker. However, he has the athletic ability to be a more dynamic pass catcher which will suit this spread out attack better than either Durham or Kieft.
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With all three of these guys fighting for the backup job it will become a question of what the Bucs value most. Kieft, Durham and Culp all have very different skill sets with obvious weaknesses. Unfortunately for Kieft, his seems to be the least valuable for what the Buccaneers are trying to do offensively.
At this point, nothing is set in stone and anyone of these guys still have opportunities to prove themselves. But if you are a fan of Kieft (like I am) then you should probably start feels a little nervous about his future with the team. There is a real chance that Kieft goes from the primary backup last year to being a surprise cut this season.
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