Story by
Speedy 2,200-yard wide receiver named Buccaneers' most exciting UDFA
- Story by
- Speedy 2,200-yard wide receiver named Buccaneers' most exciting UDFA
Speedy 2,200-yard wide receiver named Buccaneers' most exciting UDFA originally appeared on The Sporting News . Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here .
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are looking to put the 2025 season behind them.
Advertisement
At one point early in the season, the Bucs looked like potentially one of the best teams in the NFC. Then, due to some bad injury luck and plain underperformance, the Bucs collapsed and ended up missing out on the postseason.
This offseason, the team has made nice moves. Alex Anzalone and A'Shawn Robinson were added to the defense in free agency, while edge rusher Rueben Bain Jr. was added in the first round of the draft.
One notable loss was receiver Mike Evans . Evans is a franchise legend and one of the best receivers of this generation, but he'll now be suiting up for the San Francisco 49ers .
The team did draft Ted Hurst in the third round of the draft, but didn't add much else at the position. As a result, there's a certain undrafted free agent who should have a solid shot to make the team.
Advertisement
Eric Rivers named Bucs' most promising UDFA
After the draft concluded, the Bucs and every other team made a mad dash to sign the top undrafted players. One of the several signings the Bucs made was wide receiver Eric Rivers.
Rivers began his college career at Memphis before playing two seasons at Florida International and one at Georgia Tech. In 2025, Rivers played in 13 games and caught 46 passes for 658 yards and two touchdowns.
Bleacher Report's Gary Davenport named Rivers as the best UDFA the Bucs have and offered the following analysis:
It wasn't all that surprising that Rivers went undrafted despite a 2024 season in which he topped 1,100 receiving yards at Florida International, averaged almost 19 yards per catch and scored 12 touchdowns—at just 5'10" and 177 pounds, he has the build of a slot receiver but the game of a boundary wideout.
Those wheels and athleticism got Rivers a chance to show that big impacts can come in small packages. And as the old saying goes, you can't teach speed.
As Davenport mentioned, Rivers had a ton of production in college, but he's built like a slot receiver while playing like a boundary receiver. There's no denying his athleticism, though, so it wouldn't be surprising if he carved out a role.
Advertisement
Without Evans, the Bucs are slated to start Chris Godwin , Emeka Egbuka , and Jalen McMillan . The depth options include Hurst, Tez Johnson , and David Sills V. That definitely makes it possible, if not likely, that a standout UDFA like Rivers could snag a spot.
