Beat: X-receiver Hurst looks like X-factor at camp

Licht said Hurst was initially slated for a learning role behind the deep Buccaneers wide receiver corps. However, he added that the rookie 22-year-old has “proven to us throughout camp, even OTAs, practice every day that he’s been very, very steady...it’s kind of evolved into okay, we can use him this year and he’s going to play a role.” Hurst has received generally positive reports out of training camp. With Emeka Egbuka and Jalen McMillan continuing to deal with injuries throughout preseason, Hurst has gotten more opportunities and proven to the front office he can be used as a rookie. When Egbuka, McMillan, and Chris Godwin are all healthy, Hurst will have a tough time putting up fantasy-relevant production. However, given various active injuries and the injury history of the Bucs’ wide receiver room, he is certainly worth a late-round pick for fantasy purposes.

Egbuka was given a ringing “hopefully” response from Todd Bowles when asked if he’d play in Week 1. We’re not overly concerned just yet, but he’s going to need to practice at some point to play. Jalen McMillan (knee) also sat, though we’re not as concerned about him since he’s practiced on that knee injury.

He was sidelined for a little over two weeks. McMillan is being treated like an afterthought in drafts, going off the board behind Cooper Kupp in the WR6 ranks. McMillan had a nine-target game last year despite missing most of the season and is still just 24 years old. Even with the Ted Hurst hype coming out of camp, there’s a chance for McMillan to be a useful spot starter in fantasy leagues this year.

The Buccaneers rested their established starters, which takes a little shine off of Hurst’s start. Regardless, he led the team in targets through three drives and nearly hauled in a deep target after helpfully getting open during a scramble drill. The third-round rookie appeared to slip while diving for the catch, and he was unable to fully secure the pass before he and the ball hit the ground. Still, it was a decent start for him. He remains a worthwhile late-round dart throw.

Egbuka reportedly limped off the practice field Wednesday with the help of Bucs trainers and was examined on the sideline for a while before watching the rest of practice with his cleats off. Though the Bucs are likely being cautious with the second-year stud receiver, Egbuka’s status will be well worth monitoring in the coming days. An Egbuka absence would open up an opportunity for WR Ted Hurst, who has impressed throughout the offseason.

McMillan was one of several Bucs wideouts held out of practice yesterday, but it sounds like the others were largely maintenance days. McMillan, on the other hand, is dealing with a rather mysterious injury, given that we have no timeline for his return. It could ultimately be a minor issue, but his absence in practice will free up reps for rookie Ted Hurst. The two are likely competing for the final starting spot in three-receiver sets. McMillan’s knee issue now has Hurst firmly on the sleeper radar for the remainder of camp.

Fox Sports’ Greg Auman reported the three lead Buccaneers receivers got the day off Tuesday. For Godwin, it is a veteran maintenance day as he aims to open the season fully healthy; expect him to see more maintenance days heading into preseason. Egbuka and McMillan are dealing with lower-body soreness and were held out of practice out of precaution. Ultimately, no major injury concerns as the Bucs play it safe with their top three wideouts in training camp.

McMillan is coming off a frightening 2025 preseason neck injury that cost him most of the regular season. With Mike Evans’ departure to San Francisco, McMillan could fill in as a regular boundary wideout in the Tampa offense this season, alongside Chris Godwin and Emeka Egbuka. Over four games last season McMillan had 12 catches for 178 scoreless yards. He was targeted on 20 percent of his pass routes and averaged 11.7 air yards per target. McMillan, 24, could be Baker Mayfield’s primary downfield option in 2026 if Egbuka occupies the team’s WR1 role with Evans gone.

Hurst has gotten much attention out of Bucs rookie minicamp as a true X receiver in the offense. Robinson praised the versatility of Jalen McMillan, Emeka Egbuka, and Chris Godwin Jr., but said having a true X receiver is “an absolute threat.” Whether Hurst is a legitimate threat as a deep target or is simply running a go-route as a “sacrificial X”, Robinson seems to like having the option of a tall receiver to stretch the defense. Hurst is still outside the top-three on the pass-catching pecking order in Tampa Bay, but could certainly be worth a dart throw with boom-or-bust upside running outside deep routes as an X receiver.

Per Stroud, Hurst earned more targets and caught more passes than any other Buccaneer over the last two days of practice. Hurst, 21, has a chance to compete for the Buccaneers’ X-receiver role this summer. He has the frame (6'4/206) and speed (4.42-second 40) to do it. With WRs Chris Godwin, Emeka Egbuka, Tez Johnson and Jalen McMillan already in-house, the Bucs can field an effective three-receiver set this year, if Hurst is not ready to contribute. Buccaneers assistant general manager Rob McCartney made clear that the team is “not expecting for him to just come in and just take over and be a big part of our offense,” but at the same time, “there’s nothing that says he can’t if he comes in and proves himself.” Should he impress coaches in training camp this spring and summer, he could work his way into a fantasy-relevant role. Keep an eye on him.