TAMPA — Free agent acquisition Alex Anzalone and first-round pick Rueben Bain Jr. made their presence felt Friday during the Tampa Bay Buccaneers’ third training camp practice, disrupting the offense repeatedly and signaling a defensive front that could look markedly different this season.
Anzalone, aligned on the open side early in the first team period, came downhill off the left edge and spun through a chip block by running back Bucky Irving, pushing Irving into quarterback Baker Mayfield for a loss on the play. The linebacker has blanketed tight ends and running backs throughout camp, taking away Mayfield’s checkdown options with sideline-to-sideline speed and hip fluidity that have drawn notice from teammates.
“I have seen him roll with Bucky on one of the plays and he ran all the way across with him and matched stride-for-stride,” safety Antoine Winfield said of Anzalone. “He has been doing that the last couple days and seeing that out there makes me smile.”
Bain, the Buccaneers’ first-round pick out of Miami, continued to flash the traits that earned him ACC Defensive Player of the Year honors after recording 15.5 tackles for loss and 9.5 sacks for the Hurricanes in 2025. His explosive power collapsed the pocket Friday, and his bend at the top of the rush has stood out opposite outside linebacker Yaya Diaby on the defensive front.
On the offensive side, receiver Chris Godwin Jr. had a breakout day. Godwin caught back-to-back passes from Mayfield during the first 11-on-11 period, including one where he motioned before the snap, settled into a void in zone coverage and hauled in a throw along the right sideline. He became a catalyst in offensive coordinator Zac Robinson’s install Friday, working out of bunch and stacked formations and running a jet sweep while showcasing the short-area quickness and contested-catch physicality that have made him Mayfield’s go-to target.
The Buccaneers are scheduled to continue training camp practices through the week as the team prepares for its preseason opener.