Bucs rookies report to training camp

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers began their 2017 season with rookies reporting to training camp at One Buc Place in Tampa on Tuesday. Veterans report to camp on Thursday, and the first practice is scheduled for Friday.

Friday’s workout, which is scheduled to begin at 8:45 a.m., is the first of 13 practice sessions that are open to the public, giving fans their first look at the 18 rookies on Tampa Bay’s roster.

Three of the six players drafted by the Buccaneers in April are entering training camp with injuries. Fifth-round pick Jeremy McNichols and second-round pick Justin Evans didn’t practice at mini-camp. The Tampa Bay Times reported Tuesday that McNichols had surgery in March for a labrum injury and head coach Dirk Koetter called it a four-month recovery that is now entering a fifth month. Rookie linebacker Kendell Beckwith, who was drafted in the third round, isn’t expected to be cleared when camp opens, per the Tampa Bay Times.

However, fans will be able to see two of the rookies the Bucs are hoping will make a big impact this season: former Alabama tight end O.J. Howard (taken 19th overall) and former Penn State wide receiver Chris Godwin, who was taken in the third round along with Beckwith.

In addition to the six draft picks, 14 undrafted rookies are on the training camp roster as camp opens. Wide receiver Jesus Wilson (Florida State) is the only nondrafted rookie from a Florida-based college. Three of the rookies are from Boise State: McNichols, cornerback Jonathan Moxey, and wide receiver Thomas Sperbeck. Five undrafted rookies made Tampa Bay’s roster coming out of the preseason a year ago. Of this year’s group, Anthony Auclair, a 6-foot-5, 256-pound tight end from Canada, has drawn positive reviews during minicamp and OTAs.

While rookies were reporting to camp Tuesday, former Bucs cornerback Alterraun Verner signed a one-year deal with in-state rival Miami. NFL.com reported the signing. Verner spent three seasons with the Bucs, but he started only three games last season.

Also of note: Sports Illustrated unveiled its top 400 NFL players list for 2017.

Sixteen Buccaneers made the cut.

Gerald McCoy and Mike Evans were the lone Tampa Bay players to crack the top 100. McCoy was ranked at No. 49; Evans was No. 70. Quarterback Jameis Winston is at No. 164. Free agent signing DeSean Jackson is No. 132.

This story was originally published July 25, 2017 at 10:38 PM with the headline "Bucs rookies report to training camp."