Trey Palmer Battles For An Edge
July 31st, 2025
Always a numbers game.
The wide receiver room is interesting to Joe.
Yeah, it’s top-heavy. And deep. Trey Palmer and Sterling Shepard, shoot, maybe even Ryan Miller, too, could start for at least one another NFL team.
The Bucs added two receivers in the draft. Emeka Egbuka is a starter and maybe a candidate for Offensive Rookie of the Year. Tez Johnson sure seems like he was potentially drafted to replace another Bucs receiver.
Johnson is expected, if he makes the team, to be involved in the return game and log some snaps with the offense.
Currently, that position is filled by Palmer.
Joe remembers vividly talking to then-Bucs offensive coordinator Liam Coen in last summer’s training camp. There, Coen told Joe the goal for the Bucs was to use Palmer in short-yardage situations, getting the ball in his hands and letting his blazing wheels take off.
The perfect example was the 2023 playoff win over the Eagles. In that game, Baker Mayfield hit Palmer on a short pass to the right. Palmer made James Bradberry miss and was off to the races for a 56-yard touchdown.
For unknown reasons, that never materialized last season.
Joe caught up to Palmer after practice last week and he’s positively stoked at the chance not just to remain with the Bucs, but to make an impact, whether that is on offense or the return game. But Palmer then told Joe something interesting about the Bucs’ receivers as a whole.
He painted a picture as one big family room where it doesn’t matter who it is, every receiver is coaching up every other receiver in an effort to make the entire position group better.
You know, a rising tide lifts all boats?
“Each and every day, we correct each other when we do something,” Palmer said. “We learn from each other.”
Barring injury, Rakim Jarrett, who is getting scant targets with the second-team offense, looks to be firmly on the bubble. Joe would guess Kameron Johnson and Miller would be next on the pirate plank.
Naturally, if Jarrett, Johnson and/or Miller ball out on special teams, that would give them an edge. And Palmer may want to work on that element of his game, too.
Palmer was a return man last year and he wasn’t special. It’s a good bet that is also why the Bucs drafted Tez Johnson.
Mike Evans, Chris Godwin, Jalen McMillan and Egbuka are locks. After that, the next four weeks will likely determine several receivers’ careers. If Joe had to lay cash, Joe would bet Shepard makes it. He’s a versatile veteran and a close friend of Mayfield.
Sometimes, even in the NFL, it’s not what you know but who you know.
TREY. PALMER. IS. GONE.
📺: #PHIvsTB on ESPN/ABC pic.twitter.com/gInWkEMxB9
— Tampa Bay Buccaneers (@Buccaneers) January 16, 2024
July 31st, 2025 at 7:13 am
Man. Gotta love hearing how the WR room is one big love fest with everyone helping everyone else. Of course, Mike and Chris are at the top of that food chain and set all standards. I think Shep the vet is also very instrumental in that.
Feel sad for Palmer. He looked to be completely miscast as a returner, emulating Jaelon Darden more that Peanut Smith. And why the “quick burst” has never been utilized comes down to coaching. Coen obviously had other priorities and his part time boss is too busy with other things to intervene as a head coach about use of personnel.
Ironically the caption above says it all.
“Trey Palmer is gone.”
July 31st, 2025 at 7:15 am
Don’t agree with you on this one Joe. Not even a little bit. If Shep somehow makes this team with a receiver room loaded as it is then he deserves 100% of the credit for that. And he is along way from making the final 53. He’s getting older and has some injury history. One thing is certain though. He will be competing like a hungry rookie every day. Because that’s the only chance he has.
July 31st, 2025 at 7:17 am
Dead man walking. I don’t know what it is but he never got close to his potential. Hopefully he catches on with another team.
July 31st, 2025 at 7:21 am
Palmer is the fastest first 10 yards in the entire NFL-if you cannot find ways to use him it is your coaches that have a problem.
July 31st, 2025 at 7:26 am
I think Palmer is as much of a weapon as anybody else in that WR room with his 4.3 speed. The only WR in there with his level of speed that can take the top off of a defense.
We’ll see how it shakes out, and do remember waiver priority matters during final cuts. If the young guys impress enough, waiving Sheppard makes him a free agent and he can sign back. You waive a Tez, Jarret, Kam Johnson, or Trey Palmer they hit the wire and can get claimed elsewhere.
I do not envy the juggling act Grizz & Bowles are in for at the end of the preseason. We’ve got a ton of talent all over this roster to sort out.
July 31st, 2025 at 7:49 am
Bucs have been searching for a plus returner forever. Much like the Rays with a catcher. It hasn’t been for a lack of trying. Licht has simply been whiffing on this. I like that he keeps trying and maybe Tez is the answer. Regardless, he’s earned the reputation as a solid GM with an excellent eye for talent. Keep swinging Jason!
July 31st, 2025 at 7:49 am
I have seen Trey Palmer get behind the defense on many occasions
But Baker just miss him, couldn’t hit him in stride
Hopefully he goes to a team that can utilize his speed
July 31st, 2025 at 7:54 am
Tez runs a 4.51. I don’t see much field stretching with that “speed”.
July 31st, 2025 at 7:56 am
The only thing that would pick up Kam “Kenny Bell” Johnson is an Uber to take him to the airport.
July 31st, 2025 at 7:58 am
Dave Canales knows what to do with him
He looked solid in Canales offense, as a 22 year old rookie
He wasn’t a fit in Liam Coen (Dunk and Dine) offense
I’m sure Carolina will trade for him
July 31st, 2025 at 8:02 am
“””””Meant Dink and Dunk””””
July 31st, 2025 at 8:12 am
guarantee whoever they cut gets picked up by another team probably in the nfc south
July 31st, 2025 at 8:22 am
Palmer got interest from Steelers; too bad Licht didn’t bite. Last nite Podcast said CG14 not walking or running yet – podcaster does not expect he be ready week 1. I’ve been disappointed in TP’s progress over several years. He should have been helping Otton last year cover ME13 and CG14 injuries. Instead Otton became go to guy and got battered physically. Crowded WR and TE rooms empty out quickly once season starts. I hope TP has a break out camp.
July 31st, 2025 at 8:30 am
Agree with LtDan, Tez is NOT a deep threat at 4.51. In my mind, Tez is a punt returner and a quick slant YAC guy.
Palmer is unique in the WR room with 4.3 speed, and it’s up to Grizz/Baker to use his speed. I would keep him on the 53 unless he has a bad camp.
Shep has too many bonehead plays. Last year he was released and brought back, and I expect the same this year.
Six on 53 man:
Evans
Godwin (if on early PUP, then Shep or Miller)
Emeka
J-Mac
Tez
Palmer
July 31st, 2025 at 8:33 am
So apparently we signed some big 6’5 WR out of Nevada named Jaden Smith. Still wish we would’ve been able to hold onto Will Sheppard from CU, but he failed a physical and is now in Denver with that slimeball Sean Peyton.
July 31st, 2025 at 9:11 am
I’ve always liked Jarret. He has made some tough catches and has that athletic build that can play the X. Injuries have hurt his progress. I’d rather have him as the last receiver.
July 31st, 2025 at 9:26 am
Thanks to Licht for making preseason games fun to watch.
LFG!!!
July 31st, 2025 at 9:30 am
Shep is a lock. He plays hard, he’s eager to put his face on the hot grill and he did make some clutch plays, in spite of the boneheadedness which should be coached out of him (if we had that kind of coaching).
Palmer is a coward with so-so hands and you can’t teach courage.
July 31st, 2025 at 9:43 am
Now the question. How many of these guys will Jason be able to sneak past the waiver wire and onto the practice squad?
One interesting thing about clearling waivers…only players in their first four years have to clear waivers. After 4 years a player becomes vested and is essentially a free agent.
This has implications for the Bucs WR room. If Shepherd takes one for the team and agrees to go to the practice squad he wouldn’t have to clear waivers.
Then the final competition gets down to Tez or Palmer with Shep agreeing to wait at a very talented backup until after the Tez – Palmer spot shakes out.
July 31st, 2025 at 10:09 am
I believe we keep Tez Johnson & Trey Palmer. Shep has essentially said he’ll only play with Baker for the rest of his career so he can be added to practice squad after clearing waivers where as the others will most likely be picked up by another team
July 31st, 2025 at 10:22 am
Bayou
Agree that is the most likely scenario if Shep agrees and as you point out at this point in his career he’s not leaving Baker.
July 31st, 2025 at 11:02 am
Keep him over Shep I’d say. It would be a tough decision but he has more speed and is younger.
July 31st, 2025 at 11:20 am
It’s so nice that the Buc’s have so many quality receivers. Not to long ago, that was not the case.
July 31st, 2025 at 12:56 pm
Palmer and Jarrett have disappointed in their lack of development, imo. Palmer went backward last year, maybe. Jarrett is always hurt. It seems like Shepard is inconsistent, too. Miller is not all that exciting but makes lots of catches. He might be the best of the bunch.
July 31st, 2025 at 1:08 pm
Palmer, Miller, and Jarrett had 33 catches between them last year. 12,12,and 9. Shep had 33 catches and some good runs and special blocks. I’m not selling him short.
July 31st, 2025 at 3:02 pm
“Trey Palmer Battles for his NFL Career”
There – I fixed the headline for you Joseph….
Tez almost certainly makes the final cut – which leaves 1 SPOT available that Shepard, Palmer, Kam Johnson, Jarrett and Miller are all fighting for.
Short of literally tearing it up on the practice field and in pre-season games as a receiver AND returner, Palmer is very unlikely to earn that final spot this year and will be looking for another team to latch on with in about 3 1/2 weeks.
I’m not even sure if Palmer gets invited back for the Bucs practice squad if he doesn’t get claimed off waivers after final cuts…..
Bucs almost certainly have the deepest WR room in the league – so its likely at least 1 or 2 of those WRs fighting for the Bucs final roster spot will be playing in real games for some other team this year….
July 31st, 2025 at 6:41 pm
2023 Trey Palmer I would keep. 2024 immediately run out of bounds Trey Palmer not so much. Def not using that speed as a punt returner.
July 31st, 2025 at 11:30 pm
Tez Johnson is making the team. Sterling Sheppard is making the team. If they keep 7, it will be Trey Palmer. The other guys are undrafted FAs and have always been on the bubble. That is barring injuries, which Sterling is probably the most at risk in that dept.
July 31st, 2025 at 11:31 pm
I don’t understand why they don’t let him return kickoffs.
August 1st, 2025 at 3:37 am
let’s just hypothetically say godwin’s foot isn’t responding well and he’s done for the year…
don’t freak out, just a hypothetical…
then all of a sudden our receiver room is no longer deep at all…
one guy can log jam everything and stack a room out…seriously…
without GG we have old mike (just sayin’), and the rookie eggman, and and mcmillan…and a mix bag of un-provens after that…
so you gotta rely on mike not falling off, mcmillan not hitting that 2nd year wall, and eggman overachieving…
plus stellar play from a palmer or miller…and shep coming alive…
so one guy down loosens up the whole damn room…
and mums the word on CG14 as of now