UDFA running back Josh Williams may have entered the preseason as a long shot to make the Buccaneers’ 53-man roster. But after a standout showing as a kick returner in Saturday’s preseason finale against the Buffalo Bills, Tampa Bay might not be able to let him go.
Williams ripped off 108 yards on three kick returns, including a 42-yard burst that gave the Bucs instant field position and energy. It was the kind of performance the team has lacked for years in the return game, and it came at exactly the right time. With roster cuts looming, Williams’ value on special teams could force Tampa Bay to carry four running backs, something they haven’t traditionally done under Todd Bowles.
Bucky Irving, Rachaad White, and Sean Tucker are penciled in, but Williams brings a skill none of them offer: a legitimate spark as a return man.Williams hasn’t just impressed on special teams. He’s held his own in running back reps during camp and shown soft hands as a pass-catcher, and in pass protection, giving him additional value as a depth piece. With the NFL’s new kickoff rules incentivizing more return opportunities, the demand for a reliable and dynamic returner is rising.
Williams’ performance may have just positioned him as not only the Bucs’ best return option but a roster priority. The question now: Are the Bucs willing to sacrifice depth elsewhere to keep a fourth running back with game-changing return potential?
