Ryan

Griffin

This presumably ends Griffin’s playing career, as the 34-year-old now joins the coaching ranks. Griffin threw for only 18 yards in his playing career but stuck around as a backup for 10 seasons after joining the Saints as a UDFA in 2013. Griffin is expected to work the quarterbacks and receivers and could be responsible for developing some high-profile rookies in the very near future.

In theory, Griffin is now the Bucs’ No. 3 quarterback, but they will probably make an addition behind Tom Brady and Kyle Trask. 2021 No. 2 Blaine Gabbert remains unsigned. Griffin has been with the Bucs since 2015 but spent last season on the practice squad. He’s a system arm who would never be allowed near the regular season field in the event of multiple injuries ahead of him.

Kroft was actually out targeted by TE Ryan Griffen, who went 3-22 on six targets. Zach Wilson was clearly comfortable going to his tight ends, in a day when the pressured quarterback had trouble getting much going. A split tight end target tree will make Kroft a difficult fantasy start going forward, however. He will be a desperation tight end premium option in Week 2’s matchup with the Patriots.

Griffin in 2020 served as Tampa’s third string quarterback behind Tom Brady and Blaine Gabbert; he wasn’t active for a single game. A former undrafted free agent out of Tulane, Griffin, 31, is now the only QB on the Bucs’ roster besides Brady. Griffin will probably spend the entire 2021 season holding a clipboard behind the indestructible Brady.

Griffin, 29, has been in the Tampa Bay building for four years but he hasn’t received any on-field opportunities. He’ll remain a backup option for Jameis Winston, but he may end up as the second option this time around with Ryan Fitzpatrick out of town.

Koetter said it on Christmas Eve and reiterated it Wednesday. “The guy’s been here for three years,” Koetter said. “He’s worked his tail off. We just would like to see Ryan Griffin get a chance to get into a game if the opportunity presents itself.” Griffin has been talked up by this coaching staff but has never appeared in a regular season game. With Jameis Winston’s future also up in the air in Tampa Bay, it sounds like Griffin could get some run just to get a glance at him. That threat of playing time for Griffin takes Winston off the board in DFS cash games.

McCown is trying to hold off Seneca Wallace and UDFA Ryan Griffin. Griffin has caught coach Sean Payton’s eye, but is more likely a candidate for third string or the practice squad. McCown and Wallace are vying for one roster spot.

ESPN’s Chris Mortensen busted out the #sleeper hashtag for the Green Wave signal caller, who’s met with the Jaguars, Eagles, Chargers and Steelers, presumably among others. A four-year starter at Tulane, Griffin stands in at 6-foot-4 and 221 pounds. He’ll be a day-three pick.

Griffin (6-foot-3 7/8, 221) is a weak-armed thrower with some moxie. Tough in the pocket, Griffin exhibited quality touch-passing ability in Tulane’s up-tempo offense, completing 62.2 percent of his attempts as a senior with 20 touchdowns and 11 interceptions. He helped himself during the pre-draft phase by earning MVP honors in the Texas vs. Nation all-star game. The Saints will try developing Griffin into a serviceable backup.

A somewhat big-named UDFA signee out of Tulane, Griffin didn’t show enough to put any heat on Luke McCown for the backup job behind Drew Brees.