The Tampa Bay Buccaneers made one thing clear during the 2026 NFL Draft: they wanted to add a different dimension to their receiving corps. That’s exactly what they got in third-round pick Ted Hurst.
As the mandatory minicamp is underway, a few players on the roster are more intriguing than the former standout receiver. With Mike Evans now in San Francisco and Emeka Egbuka expected to slide into a larger role, Hurst has a legitimate opportunity to carve out playing time much sooner than many rookie receivers typically do.
At 6’4″ and possessing legitimate downfield speed, Hurst gives the Buccaneers something they simply don’t have elsewhere in their receiver room. While Chris Godwin Jr, Egbuka, and Jalen McMillan excel with route running, separation, and versatility, Hurst brings the size and catch radius needed to win on the boundary and make contested catches downfield.
In many ways, his skill set fills some of the void left behind by Evans’ departure. The Buccaneers have already hinted at how they plan to use him. Offensive coordinator Zac Robinson has mentioned Hurst working primarily as the true “X” receiver, allowing Egbuka to spend more time at the “Z” position, where his route running and versatility can be maximized. That role could put Hurst in a position to contribute immediately if he proves he can handle the responsibilities that come with playing on the outside. Minicamp will offer the first extended glimpse of how quickly that transition is coming along.
One of the biggest challenges for rookie receivers is earning the trust of their quarterback. Baker Mayfield has never been shy about throwing contested passes to receivers he believes will make a play on the football. Hurst’s combination of size, length and ball skills could quickly make him an attractive target in those situation and the opportunity is certainly there.
With Evans gone, the Buccaneers are searching for players capable of stepping into larger offensive roles. While no one player will replace everything Evans brought to the franchise, Hurst has a chance to help fill one of the most important areas, especially the ability to win on the outside against physical coverage and create explosive plays downfield. Expectations should remain reasonable for a rookie, but Hurst enters minicamp with a real opportunity to make a statement.
If he can continue developing chemistry with Mayfield, he could become one of the most important offensive additions on the Buccaneers’ roster.
This article originally appeared on Bucs Wire: Buccaneers Mandatory Minicamp Player to Watch: Ted Hurst
Reporting by Ashlie Abrahams, Buccaneers Wire / Bucs Wire
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By Ashlie Abrahams, Buccaneers Wire | USA TODAY Network
