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Which Bucs receiver is going to be their speed threat in 2026?
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- Which Bucs receiver is going to be their speed threat in 2026?
Rookie wide receiver Ted Hurst recently stirred the pot by claiming he's the fastest receiver on the Buccaneers ' roster. His confidence quickly caught the attention of teammate Tez Johnson , who wasn't about to let that statement go unchallenged. Johnson playfully pushed back on Hurst's claim, setting up one of the more entertaining debates to come out of training camp.
Hurst entered the NFL after running an impressive 4.42 40-yard dash before the 2026 NFL Draft.
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At 6'4" and more than 200 pounds, that's outstanding speed for a receiver of his size. His ability to eat up ground with long strides has already been on display throughout camp, where he's routinely gotten behind defenders and made explosive plays down the field.
Johnson, however, has plenty of reason to believe the crown belongs to him. The former Oregon standout posted a blazing 4.36 40-yard dash during the 2025 pre-draft process, making him one of the fastest receivers in his draft class. His game has always been built around elite acceleration and short-area quickness, traits that have been evident again during a strong start to training camp, highlighted by highlight-reel catches and explosive plays. While Johnson technically owns the faster verified time, football speed isn't always measured by a stopwatch. Hurst's size allows him to cover ground with fewer strides, making him appear just as fast once he gets into the open field.
Johnson, meanwhile, wins with instant acceleration and the ability to separate almost immediately after the snap.
If Hurst continues stretching defenses vertically while Johnson keeps creating explosive plays with his speed and elusiveness, Baker Mayfield will have two dangerous weapons capable of challenging defenses in different ways. The playful back-and-forth has added another layer of competition to training camp, and if both receivers continue producing at their current pace, the only real winners will be the Buccaneers ' offense.
This article originally appeared on Bucs Wire: Which Bucs receiver is going to be their speed threat in 2026?
