MEEN2018

He didn’t have the best game. He dropped a long pass that he should’ve had. On his 12 yard catch, it was 3rd and 13 and he ran backwards and lost yardage to not get the first down. He also fumbled a punt return and didn’t have a great night of kick returns. He lost ground to Tyler Johnson for WR5 spot so Darden is clearly in the WR6 spot. Will still make the team but needs to clean up his drops that he has had recently in practice and games. In other UNT news, Nate Brooks got cut. He had a huge offsides penalty on a 3rd down stop that gave the Titans a first down. Also gave up a big TD, so kinda saw it coming.

This is BIG! With how deep the Bucs are at every position, unless Hambone and Brooks started playing defense at NFL All-Pro levels, how they are playing on defense isn’t nearly as important as special teams play for them to make the team. The only thing the Bucs really needed to improve on was special teams play so this is a huge step forward for them making the team. Brooks also had a big pass breakup at the goal line that saved a TD in the first preseason game. Obviously only 1 game, but I’d say they went from being clear cut candidates to having a shot to make the team. The Bucs already cut a rookie corner they seemed pretty high on after the game, so I’d say that is another good indication for Brooks.

Don’t worry, Darden isn’t getting cut this year lol

It is the depth chart for the first preseason game. Teams basically have their depth chart from last year and add the rookies in at the end. There isn’t much thought to it as they only release it bc they are required to by the NFL. He has had a great camp so far.

From what I’ve read and seen I doubt either makes the team. I’ve seen them make a few plays here and there but seems like most of what I’ve seen hasn’t been too positive. However, both would make it mostly off of special teams so the preseason games will be huge for both of them. I’d say Brooks has a better chance than Hamilton if I had to guess.

For this season only, I think the Dunbar comparison isn’t too far off. Dunbar maxed out at 316 tards of total offense and I bet Darden finishes with around around 300-500 yards of total offense. They still have 3 All-Pro WRs in Mike Evans, Chris Godwin, and Antonio Brown ahead of him. Those three combined will probably be around 2,800 yards receiving. Then you have Scotty Miller as the WR4/5 who had 500 yards receiving last year and Tyler Johnson, who they really like, who had 170 yards receiving last year. That doesn’t include Gronkowski, OJ Howard, and Cam Brate at TE who will get lots of snaps and targets. The amount of talent on offense that they have is basically unfair. They basically have like 9-10 WRs/TEs that would easily be starters on most teams in the NFL. Darden’s year is really going to be next year and beyond. From how Antonio Brown caught fire down the stretch after signing midseason and from the rave reviews he’s gotten in camp so far (reports are that he’s been the best WR in camp), I bet AB moves on after this year. That would open the WR3 role for Darden.

He will definitely get a ton of WR snaps in the preseason. Evans, Godwin, and AB will all probably barely play this preseason (if they even do). Bruce Arians has been adamant about resting the star players this training camp so far since they had a short offseason after winning the SB. He will definitely have the opportunity to earn more offensive reps in the regular season though with a good preseason.

Thanks! Obviously as a life-long Bucs fan and a UNT alum, I’m pretty excited about this year too! I still can’t believe that the Bucs ended up drafting him. Happy to see that he is doing so well too, especially considering how deep their receiving core is. He will still probably struggle to see the field as much as he should based on their depth, but he is definitely doing all that he can and it sounds like the team and staff love him!

Not Darden news but still UNT related.

WR Jaelon Darden I’m including Darden – with a caveat. The rookie receiver has obviously impressed enough to be included with the starters and vets on field one during the first week of practice. He made some spectacular catches and looked great separating from some of the Bucs’ best defensive backs. However, Darden had a false start, some drops and didn’t finish his routes a few times. He’s obviously a work in progress and making more mistakes than Bruce Arians or anyone would like – but that’s what camp is for. This is where mistakes should be made and learned from. But the talent to be special is there. https://www.pewterreport.com/srs-fab-5-bucs-rise-as-saints-fall-5-stars-from-camp/#fab-3-5-bucs-camp-standouts-so-far

Darden Exceeding Expectations Rookie receiver Jaelon Darden has continuously shown off his speed and quickness through camp. Getting reps with the starters Darden, the team’s fourth-round pick, hasn’t looked out of place at all. Although he has had a few drops he’s showing the quick get off the team gushed about after drafting him. He is also firmly in the returner competition and has looked very comfortable fielding the ball https://www.pewterreport.com/bucs-training-camp-recap-analysis-from-the-first-four-days/

Notes on Darden’s Training Camp Debut and Role

All of AB’s past issues have either been dismissed or settled out of court. There is nothing that he could be suspended for at the moment. Darden is WR6 right now so even if something happened to AB, he would share that role with 2 other WR.

Antonio Brown didn’t practice today so Darden was getting so reps with the starters.

Jaelon Darden impressing WR Mike Evans and Bucs coaches

Thanks! Was fortunate enough to be awarded the Agnes Greene memorial scholarship honoring his late wife a few years ago. Got to meet him and his family and they are all great people! Couldn’t be a nicer family!

Bucs OC compares Darden to Antonio Brown Bruce Arians (Bucs HC) compares Darden to Emmanuel Sanders