Buccaneers
- The Athletic’s Greg Auman doesn’t expect the Buccaneers to add a veteran running back like Devonta Freeman, but he says a veteran edge rusher like LB Clay Matthews is an option.
- Auman says Matthews expressed an interest in Tampa Bay earlier this offseason, while veteran EDGE Kareem Martin could also be an option due to his past experience with DC Todd Bowles.
- NFL Media’s Charley Casserly writes Buccaneers first-round OT Tristan Wirfs is expected to be an immediate starter on the right side.
- Buccaneers third-round rookie RB Ke’Shawn Vaughn will also compete with RB Dare Ogunbowale and T.J. Logan for the No. 2 running back role.
- Casserly notes Buccaneers WRs Scotty Miller, Justin Watson and fifth-round rookie Tyler Johnson will compete for the No. 3 receiver role.
- At safety, Justin Evans will compete with second-round rookie Antoine Winfield Jr. and Mike Edwards, if he’s healthy.
Panthers
Panthers LB Shaq Thompson was like many in being shocked at how long his former starting QB, Cam Newton, lasted on the open market before signing with New England. Thompson thinks Newton “still has it” and the Patriots will be thrilled with their new starter. But Thompson also thinks the new starter the Panthers brought in, QB Teddy Bridgewater, can also be pretty good.
“I think Teddy’s definitely going to come in and change the offense. He has great weapons,” Thompson said on NFL Network via NFL Media’s Grant Gordon. “His start with the Saints, 5-0, was just incredible. It just shows you that the Teddy that Minnesota had drafted back then is back. I’m happy to see that. I’ve always been a fan of Teddy, especially when he was at Louisville. So, I’m happy to have him as a teammate. I know that he has a lot of tremendous weapons around him and we built that offensive line so he could feel comfortable in the pocket.”
Saints
- NFL Media’s Charley Casserly writes Saints first-round OL Cesar Ruiz is expected to start at either center or guard as a rookie.
- New Orleans also expects third-round LB Zack Baun to start at strongside linebacker as a utility player in both blitzing, run defense and coverage.
- Saints third-round TE Adam Trautman will compete with veteran TE Josh Hill for the No. 2 slot on the depth chart, per Casserly.
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