The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are coming off another loss, moving to 4-6 on the year, and they're looking for answers. Their 2024 draft class could hold the answers for them, underscoring the importance of rookies being able to play for a team during the season.
Every year in the NFL, rookies immediately commit to their teams and make a difference, and the Bucs have shown they can find them.
Graham Barton played well and occupied the halfway line for two weeks. This year we saw Xavier Worthy score two touchdowns on opening night. Every year, rookies make their mark on the league, and the Bucs need to continue to nail down their first-round picks.
Here are some players to keep an eye on while enjoying college football this weekend before the Bucs kick off. We'll be creating the ultimate viewer's guide to catching the best players in every time slot this weekend.
wide receiver to watch
Oregon wide receiver Evan Stewart is tackled by Michigan defensive back Makari Paige during the first half at Michigan Stadium in Ann Arbor on Saturday, Nov. 2, 2024.
Player to watch during the noon/11am time slot
- Emeka Egbuka (Ohio State) vs. Northwestern on the Big Ten Network
Player to watch during the 3:30pm/2:30pm time slot
- Ja'Corey Brooks (Louisville) vs. Stanford 0n ACC Network
Player to watch during the 7:30pm/6:30pm time slot
- Evan Stewart (Oregon) vs. Wisconsin on NBC
Tight ends
Oct. 12, 2024; Los Angeles, California, USA; Penn State Nittany Lions tight end Tyler Warren (44) runs past USC Trojans safety Akili Arnold (0) during the second half at United Airlines Field at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. Mandatory attribution: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images
- Player to watch during the noon/11am time slot
- Gavin Bartholomew (Pitt) vs. Clemson on ESPN
- Player to watch during the 3:30pm/2:30pm time slot
- Tyler Warren (Penn State) vs. Purdue on CBS
- Player to watch during the 7:30pm/6:30pm time slot
- Oscar Delp (Georgia) vs. Tennessee on ABC
guards
Cincinnati Bearcats offensive lineman Luke Kandra (67) makes a play after a defensive stop during the fourth quarter of the college football game against the Miami Redhawks at Yager Stadium in Cincinnati, Saturday, September 14, 2024.
Player to watch during the noon/11am time slot
- Seth McLaughlin (Ohio State) vs. Northwestern on the Big Ten Network
Player to watch during the 3:30pm/2:30pm time slot
- Jake Slaughter (Florida) vs. LSU on ABC
Player to watch during the 8pm/7pm time slot
- Luke Kandra (Cincinnati) vs. Iowa State on FOX
Edge rushers to watch
Oct 19, 2024; Tucson, Arizona, USA; Colorado Buffalos defensive end BJ Green II (35) against the Arizona Wildcats at Arizona Stadium. Mandatory attribution: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images
- Player to watch during the noon/11am time slot
- BJ Green (Colorado) vs. Utah on FOX
- Player to watch during the 3:30pm/2:30pm time slot
- Josaiah Stewart (Michigan) vs. Indiana on CBS
- Player to watch during the 7:30pm/6:30pm time slot
- James Pearce Jr. (Tennessee) vs. Georgia on ABC
Keep an eye on linebackers
Georgia Bulldogs linebacker Jalon Walker sacks Texas Longhorns quarterback Quinn Ewers in the second quarter at Darrell K Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium on Saturday, October 19, 2024.
Player to watch during the noon/11am time slot
- CJ Hicks (Ohio State) vs. Northwestern on the Big Ten Network
Player to watch during the 3:30pm/2:30pm time slot
- Jack Kiser (Notre Dame) vs. Virginia on Peacock
Player to watch during the 7:30pm/6:30pm time slot
- Jalon Walker (Georgia) vs. Tennessee on ABC
Keep an eye on cornerbacks
November 2, 2024; Clemson, South Carolina, USA; Clemson Tigers running back Phil Mafah (7) runs against Louisville Cardinals defensive back Quincy Riley (3) in the first quarter at Memorial Stadium. Mandatory attribution: Ken Ruinard-Imagn Images
Player to watch during the noon/11am time slot
- Jahdae Barron (Texas) vs. Arkansas on ABC
Player to watch during the 3:30pm/2:30pm time slot
- Quincy Riley (Louisville) vs. Stanford on ACC Network
Player to watch during the 7:30pm/6:30pm time slot
- Jabbar Muhammad (Oregon) vs. Wisconsin on NBC