Jerreth

Sterns

The team also released CB Kyler McMichael, OLB Andre Anthony, and G Sadarius Hutcherson. Sterns impressed at minicamp and then made a name for himself in his preseason debut by scoring a touchdown to go along with 51 yards. At Western Kentucky, Sterns lead the nation with 1,902 receiving yards on 150 catches in 2021. If he clears waivers, the Bucs will likely stash him on their practice squad.

Sterns played with the second-team offense, scoring his TD on a back shoulder throw from Kyle Trask. The Bucs used Sterns in the slot, where he’s competing for one of the team’s final roster spots. The leading receiver in college last year, Sterns outplayed fellow hyped UDFA Deven Thompkins, who had two catches for 11 yards. Sterns was pushed further down the depth chart with the Julio Jones signing, but a strong preseason could land him on the opening day roster.

The Bucs signed the top two leading receivers in the nation in Jerreth Sterns and Deven Thompkins as undrafted free agents, putting heat on the roster spots of Johnson and Breshad Perriman. Johnson, a 2020 fifth-rounder, played a limited role out of the slot his first two seasons, seeing 17 targets as a rookie and averaging 6.5 yards per target last year. Johnson’s roster chances would be further downgraded if Chris Godwin (knee) is ready for Week 1.

Tampa didn’t add to its receiver room with any of its eight draft picks, but they landed one of the top UDFAs in Sterns, the nation’s leader in receptions (150), receiving yards (1,902) and touchdowns (17) last year. Sterns was a Combine snub but shined at the Shrine Bowl where corners had trouble covering him. The Western Kentucky and Houston Baptist star has produced at every level, starting 40-of-41 games in college with 370 receptions, over 3,800 yards and 35 touchdowns, a career line that’d be higher if not for a COVID-shortened 2020. Sterns played for former NFL QB Jon Kitna in high school and trained with ex-Panthers WR Steve Smith in pre-draft workouts. Tampa could be without Chris Godwin (knee), a candidate for the reserve/PUP list, for the first month of the season, leaving Sterns to compete in an open competition behind Mike Evans. Sterns shouldn’t struggle to win a roster spot and is a sleeper for the slot role in Tampa, where Tom Brady has had success with undersized receivers.

A transfer from Houston Baptist, Sterns (5'7"/178) exploded for a 150-1,902-17 line during his one season at Western Kentucky, finishing 45 catches and 198 yards ahead of the next closest FBS player. While that production is impressive, Sterns measured in at 5 foot 7, 178 pounds at his Pro Day and ran a 4.62 40. He did show well with a 40-inch vertical and 6.8 three-cone, and that short-area explosiveness is where he will have to win in the NFL. Still, his size and speed combination make for a tough Dynasty bet.