JUST IN: Big Dogs in as Bucs officially add Chris Braswell and Sterling Shepard to the squad.
Second-round OLB Chris Braswell inked his first NFL contract during the Bucs’ minicamp on Wednesday, leaving just one 2024 draft pick still unsigned
There are just two days remaining in the Tampa Bay Buccaneers’ 2024 offseason training schedule. Their rookie contract work is also virtually finished.
Outside linebacker Chris Braswell signed his first NFL contract on Wednesday when the Buccaneers started their three-day minicamp, which was the start of the offseason. Taking the 57th overall pick in the second round of the 2024 NFL Draft, Tampa Bay selected Braswell, who recorded eight sacks during his final year at Alabama in 2023.
Braswell signed a four-year contract, similar to that of every player selected after the first round. First-round center Graham Barton is the only member of the Buccaneers’ 2024 draft class who has not yet signed a rookie contract. The team has already signed third-round safety Tykee Smith, third-round wide receiver Jalen McMillan, fourth-round running back Bucky Irving, sixth-round guard Elijah Klein, and seventh-round tight end Devin Culp to contracts.
As a rookie, Braswell should play a significant role in the Bucs’ edge rush rotation and may compete with Yaya Diaby for the starting slot opposite him. The Buccaneers actually believe that Braswell can make an impression akin to the one that Diaby, a 2023 third-round selection who gained a starting position by the middle of his rookie season, when he had the most sacks (7.5) on the squad.
Head Coach Todd Bowles stated following Tuesday’s minicamp practice, “When the shoulder pads come on, we’ll see, but he’s very tough, he’s very steady, and he has a very strong lower body.” He reminds me of Yaya from the previous year in terms of sheer strength. I like what I see so far, but we’ll see how it transfers when the pads arrive.”
Additionally, on Monday, free agency receiver Sterling Shepard of the New York Giants inked a one-year contract with the Buccaneers.
Shepard was selected by the Giants in the second round of the 2016 NFL Draft. In 90 games, he has caught 372 passes for 4,095 yards and 23 touchdowns. Behind Evans and Godwin, the group is mainly young and inexperienced, so he adds another seasoned presence.
The move was first announced last week, but it wasn’t until Monday that Shepard showed up at team headquarters in the afternoon to sign his contract, making it official.
Shepard (5-10, 198) signs with the Buccaneers in time for this week’s three-day required minicamp. Shepard re-signed with the Giants in 2023, but he was a free agent again in March. This time, he will attend an NFL training camp with a team other than the Giants. But he will recognize a familiar face in that camp; Shepard’s final collegiate season at Oklahoma in 2015 was quarterbacked by Bucs starter Baker Mayfield. With Mayfield at his disposal, Shepard enjoyed his finest collegiate campaign, hauling in 86 receptions for 1,288 yards and 11 touchdowns.
