The Tampa Bay Buccaneers officially opened OTAs on Tuesday, and one of the early standouts was rookie wide receiver Ted Hurst. While pads are still a ways away, Hurst already looks like exactly what Tampa Bay hoped they were getting when they selected him in the third round of the 2026 NFL Draft, a true outside X receiver with size, fluidity, and surprising movement skills for a 6’4″ target.
One of the more noticeable takeaways from Day 1 was how naturally Hurst moved alongside second-year receiver Emeka Egbuka.
Despite the three-inch height difference between the two, Hurst mirrored much of Egbuka’s burst and movement ability throughout drills. Egbuka, listed at 6’1, has already built a reputation for his smooth route running and sharp acceleration, but Hurst showed flashes of similar explosiveness while bringing a completely different frame to the offense. That combination is exactly why offensive coordinator Zac Robinson has been vocal about Hurst’s role in the offense. Robinson has already referred to the rookie as a true X receiver, while Egbuka is expected to primarily settle into the Z or flanker role entering Year 2.
Throughout OTAs, the Bucs will be watching Hurst’s route detail, his ability to separate against NFL defensive backs, and how reliable he becomes in contested catch situations. Tampa Bay also wants to see how quickly he can adapt to playing the X position by using leverage, defeating press coverage, and becoming a dependable target.
With Mike Evans no longer in Tampa Bay, the Buccaneers have the expectation and need of a dominant presence on the boundary. Hurst may not be expected to replace a franchise legend overnight, but early impressions suggest the rookie has the traits to eventually grow into a major role within Robinson’s new look offense.
This article originally appeared on Bucs Wire: What was the first impression of rookie Ted Hurst at OTAs?
Reporting by Ashlie Abrahams, Buccaneers Wire / Bucs Wire
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
