Ted Hurst III and the Buccaneers’ preseason early test at MetLife vs. the Jets

The Buccaneers open the preseason at MetLife Stadium against the Jets, and Tampa Bay’s own preview highlights one player in particular as a potential difference-maker in the early weeks of evaluation: rookie receiver Ted Hurst III. The framing from the team is straightforward. With roster spots and roles still in motion, preseason work becomes the quickest way for coaches to confirm which skills translate from practice into live looks.

Hurst, a rookie receiver, has drawn attention during training camp for how he handles contested-ball situations. The Buccaneers’ release specifically points to his “high-point capability,” describing how he wins with vertical intent and tracks the ball effectively through the catch point. In practical terms for a preseason opener, those traits matter most when defenses use safety help and underneath coverage shells designed to limit separation. When a receiver can win at the top of the route, it changes how a defense must cover the downfield area.

The team also notes that Hurst has been working at the X spot, a position label that usually indicates a role aligned with one side of the formation and the responsibility to attack the field vertically. According to the Buccaneers, the X alignment has been one way to get Hurst touches that emphasize long strides, ball tracking, and timing that suits “quarterback-friendly” throws. If Tampa Bay’s quarterback rotation includes looks built around anticipation and shot plays, Hurst’s usage at X becomes a key early indicator of how the offense wants to stretch the defense.

Beyond raw physical tools, the release describes a more technical edge to his route play. It says Hurst can create separation with a stutter-and-go off his release, an approach that can force defensive backs to break downhill early or get late on their eyes. In preseason games, those small timing wins often decide whether a driver converts on third downs or stalls out. Even when the statistical sample is small, coaching staffs use these moments to decide what gets called when the game tightens.

The Buccaneers’ preview is not limited to Hurst, but the public portion of the team’s release available here focuses in detail on him, while the article itself is titled as a “five Bucs to watch” list. Even without naming every player in this summary, the core takeaway from Tampa Bay’s presentation remains the same: the preseason opener against New York is serving as a direct test of who can execute in live coverage, and Hurst is positioned as a player whose contested-catch profile could show up quickly.

Tampa Bay’s Week 1 storyline also includes the quarterback rotation. The release ties Hurst’s impact to how throws are executed whether it is Connor Bazelak or Jalon Daniels working under center, framing the receiver’s job as generating separation and turning those targets into plays that move the chains. What to watch early is whether Hurst’s targets come in rhythm, whether the routes stay true to his strengths against press or off-man looks, and whether the offense can consistently put him in positions to win above defenders.