Who are some players fans should have their eye on in this matchup?

The Bucs are set to open up their 2024 preseason in Cincinnati against the Bengals and with that comes a lot of excitement, but also a lot of questions. Bucs head coach Todd Bowles has said that most of the starters would not be suiting up and playing on Saturday night. The starters not playing could give a lot of guys fighting for roster spots or roles on this team a good opportunity to showcase what they can do. Let’s take a look at some players to watch for the opening preseason game.

WR Jalen McMillan

The rookies are always going to be exciting to watch and Bowles has said that while most starters won’t play, pretty much all rookies will be out there if they are healthy. That includes third round pick out of Washington from this past draft Jalen McMillan who has been an absolute star in training camp thus far. McMillan is in a battle with second year receiver Trey Palmer for that third receiver role and Saturday night will be a good opportunity for McMillan to make more plays this time against an opposing defense.

The talented receiver has been one heck of a story in camp as day in and day out he continues to develop chemistry with Baker Mayfield and while Mayfield won’t be out there in this game, McMillan can still show off his skills.

RB Bucky Irving

Another rookie on the list, this time being former Oregon running back and 4th round pick of Tampa Bay Bucky Irving. Rachaad White is going to be the team’s starting running back when the season opens, but Irving figures to have a solid role in this offense as a change of pace to what White brings. Irving doesn’t have game breaking speed or tremendous receiving ability, but he has tremendous burst and acceleration that he can use to his advantage.

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I would expect the Bucs to use Irving during short yardage situations a good bit during the regular season but for this game, Irving should play a lot especially with Chase Edmonds likely not being available. On Saturday night, it could very well be the Bucky show.

ILB SirVocea Dennis

Going away from the rookies for a minute, SirVocea Dennis could be a name that plays a bigger role this season for Tampa Bay. While Lavonte David and K.J. Britt are likely to be the Bucs starters at middle linebacker, but Dennis will be next man up if either of them go down. The NFL season is a long one and there is no guarantee that David and Britt are available in all 17 games, so Dennis could get a lot more playing time this year.

He has some solid potential entering year two in the NFL and assuming he is the starter at middle linebacker against the Bengals, it will be interesting to see how he fares against a Cincinnati offense that is reportedly playing some of their starters.

CB Trek Funderburk

Every year there is always a name or two that comes out of nowhere and plays well in camp. A lot of the time it is an undrafted free agent and this year it’s Trek Funderburk, an undrafted free agent out of Appalachian State. Funderburk is a competitor and has shown that throughout camp. Not afraid to back down from any challenge thrown his way. He had a really nice rep the other day in camp against Mike Evans of all people, forcing an incompletion. With the Bucs starters not suiting up, Funderburk will likely get a lot of playing time in this game and with that comes an excellent opportunity to continue making a case for a spot on the 53 man roster.

The preseason isn’t about wins or losses, it’s about individual player performance and there is a lot on the line for not just the players mentioned here, but a lot of guys fighting for their spot on an NFL team. We’ll see who steps up on Saturday night.