“Immediate Contributor Taking Tops Off Defenses”
May 1st, 2026
Rookie Bucs receiver Ted Hurst.
Lots of extreme hype and expectations for the Bucs rookie class. Joe is loving it!
What a unique draft class.
Buccaneers cornerback legend Rondé Barber thinks first-round pick edge rusher Rueben Bain will transform the team before he even takes a game snap.
As for third-round pick receiver Ted Hurst, a true athletic freak, Barber seems him making his mark on the field in a hurry, despite the Bucs’ loaded receivers room.
“It think this guy [Hurst] is an immediate contributor taking tops off defenses,” Barber said on his WFLA-TV streaming show. I don’t know that he’s a possession type guy yet, just because of the body type. But he helps us.”
Barber raved about Hurst’s ability and “freaky tall” build and length. “He’s got a Randy Moss-like body, just because of the lankiness of him, the length that you just can’t coach. And he’s got great ball skills,” Barber said.
Hurst is 6-4, 206 pounds, and he ran a 4.42 40-yard dash at the NFL Scouting Combine with a 36 1/2-inch vertical leap. The Georgia State star drew a Mike Evans comparison from Buccaneers Ring of Honor general manager Jason Licht, though Licht punted on actually saying Evans’ name.
May 1st, 2026 at 5:34 pm
This poor guy is cursed with the Evans comparison…..give him a break….
May 1st, 2026 at 5:43 pm
If he plays well enough to actually become our starting X receiver that would be thoroughly amazing! Mike ran a 4.53 so he’s a bit faster than him and can catch a good deep ball. Moss was of course blazingly fast so Hurst is a closer comparison to Evans.
May 1st, 2026 at 5:44 pm
We’ll see if he can have a better year than Mike. We need a true X receiver with Mike gone. This kid fits the bill.
May 1st, 2026 at 5:52 pm
Hurst is fast but not Randy Moss fast. Moss could out jump anyone to include Michael Jordon. I believe the Moss almost had 50 inches on the vertical jump.
May 1st, 2026 at 5:54 pm
I hope we hit on this pick. Licht has done a pretty good job drafting the WR position.
May 1st, 2026 at 5:54 pm
I’ll go ahead and make a prediction. Another huge draft bust from Licht.
Just waiting for Bud Licht to say Hurst is going to shock the world.
Why don’t we just take our Bowles colored glasses off for a minute.
This guy was competing against McDonalds workers and furniture movers.
He’ll be out of the league in three years.
May 1st, 2026 at 5:55 pm
Geeze we need to cool the jets a bit on the expectation. At this stage, he only physically resembles Evans, let’s not forget he was a third round pick, while Evans was a first rounder. I expect there is a gap there (between Evans when he was drafted vs Hurst now) in either skills,production, or mentality. That gap might be made up over time, but it’s probably there now, since we and 31 other teams passed over him twice.
May 1st, 2026 at 6:01 pm
He physically resembles Nico Collins too who was also drafted in the 3rd round except Hurst is about 15 lbs lighter
May 1st, 2026 at 6:03 pm
The only guy I’ve Mike Evans compared to is Brandon Marshall
They are identical in a lot of areas, even Mike said it as a rookie
Ted Hurst is a very good WR, as solid as they come.
He’s kind of similar to Nico Collins
I love the pick, l think Licht made a great pick
May 1st, 2026 at 6:04 pm
@lynchmob50 the last I checked, Jerry Rice nor Antonio Brown payed against powerhouse competition. I guess history tells us no truths.
May 1st, 2026 at 6:06 pm
“”I’ve seen Mike Evans compared to “”
May 1st, 2026 at 6:23 pm
Gotta be able to get him the ball, and none of our offenses the last 3 years have been an attack downfield on a consistent basis type of offense, at least not like how they were from ‘19 to ‘21, not even close
May 1st, 2026 at 6:27 pm
Joe … ‘Lots of extreme hype and expectations for the Bucs rookie class.’
Sure is. Kinda feel badly for each of them after seeing what impact the ‘Savior’ expectations had on Jameis. Much prefer to let rookies earn the accolades on the field in real NFL games.
May 1st, 2026 at 6:29 pm
The biggest complaint of this Off-Season is that Todd is still the coach is how this is starting to feel. They have really addressed the Putrid Pass Defense in a lot of ways, and this WR is only going to add to the toys on Offense with Gainwell being under the radar signing. This team just might be something. Bain and his Bud from Miami, Trotter, Clemson DL , and all these FA signees that can play are going to really improve our Defense. How can they not? Bain will be a culture-changer. Go Bucs!
May 1st, 2026 at 6:39 pm
Well, Bain is almost a felonious pick, but Hurst is simply a really good one by my eyes. Mind you, a very good 3rd round pick is a mighty welcome feeling. Moss and Hurst are comparable in size, but Moss was hardly even from this planet. Hurst is a bit faster than Evans, but Evans is a physical freak. Any bigger and he’d by a tight end. I also kinda doubt Hurst can block as well as Evans either, but he did have a few good blocks on film.. Still, this looks like an excellent pick and he will serve a unique assignment in our offense I’m sure.
May 1st, 2026 at 6:42 pm
It’s going to eventually work out. When these rookies underform and start busting assignments at the standard Bucs rate, and appear to suck, it will be easier to unload Bowles before years’ end, January 2027 latest.
May 1st, 2026 at 6:55 pm
Actually, excepting Bain my favorite pick is Scott. After that I’d say, to me, it’s a tie between Hurst and Capehart. I really like the Capehart pick too.
May 1st, 2026 at 6:58 pm
I have to admit…bowlz worries me. Even great players are helpless if half the team quits.
May 1st, 2026 at 7:00 pm
Zac has a lot of work to do.
We know the players we have on offense have talent. 1st goal imo – sell the players on the scheme. The team seemed lost on offense as the season went on and I just kept thinking that they had no confidence in what they were doing.
This kid (Hurst) had the 2nd most contested catches in the FBS over the last 2 years I believe – great sign!
EE reminds me of JSN from Seattle. I see him (EE) being used similarly by Zac – lined up all over the place including in the backfield.
Y’all keep sleeping on J-Mac too. Guy was a 1st round talent who dropped cause of injuries. I think he comes into the season hungry to prove he’s in the same league (or better than) EE.
Chris was leading the league 2 years ago in most reciever stats before getting hurt. Dude was a YAC machine. He looked healthy again @ the end of the year and he’s probably still our best “possession” reciever.
Tez is a legit weapon – just needs the right OC to utilize him.
Then there’s Cade and the other TEs, 2 backs with great hands – geez 😳
May 1st, 2026 at 7:10 pm
From a distance this appears to be another good draft. Now it’s up to the players and their coaches to get them ready to play. They have to learn the play book. Memorize it. Work it until muscle memory takes over!! Then execute it at a high level !!!! This takes time!! We’ll see the best of the best rise to the challenge. The others become bench warmers. Can’t wait until September!!!!
May 1st, 2026 at 7:14 pm
Hurst has Moss like characteristics. Not as fast, but the long strides and ability to high point the ball is impressive on tape. Good thing is coming from a small school, he will get time to develop as a rookie.
Evans is slower but more physical.
May 1st, 2026 at 7:29 pm
I wouldn’t be surprised if him & Skyler Bell are gonna be some sleepers coming out this year.