Buccaneers @ Steelers
Final Score: Buccaneers 17, Steelers 14
Writer: Christian Otteman (@COttemanPL on Twitter)
We didn’t see either team’s starting quarterbacks play in this game, meaning Teddy Bridgewater and Mason Rudolph took the field first for the Bucs and Steelers, respectively. The highlights of the game were stellar TD catches by Bucky Irving and Emeka Egbuka for the Buccaneers in the first quarter. We also got to see Roman Wilson show off his big-play ability, making a strong case to be the Steelers’ WR2.
Three Up
- Roman Wilson – Looked like a legitimate downfield threat in this game. He’s flying under the radar after missing all of his rookie season with injuries (WR90 by ADP), but don’t forget Pittsburgh spent a third-round pick on him. An interesting late-round dart throw with upside.
- Teddy Bridgewater – Looks like an NFL career isn’t water under the bridge just yet for Teddy, who looked impressive in Tampa’s second preseason game. He’s competing with Kyle Trask for the backup job and boosted his stock on Saturday.
- Kaleb Johnson – Had a much more efficient day than his first preseason game. He still has room to grow, and I’d still prefer Jaylen Warren in redraft leagues, at least to start the season.
Two Down
- Kyle Trask – Was clearly outplayed by Bridgewater in the competition to be Baker Mayfield‘s backup.
- Rachaad White – With Irving making strides as a receiver, Rachaad White‘s opportunities may become more limited.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Quarterback
Teddy Bridgewater: 6/11, 85 Yards, 2 TD
Bridgewater might wish he were coaching high school football right now, but for the time being, he’s making a strong case to be Mayfield’s backup. He made some good throws on the run and found both Irving and Egbuka for some great touchdown passes. I’d consider Bridgewater the leader in the clubhouse for the backup job thanks to his experience, leadership, and clubhouse presence. He’s one of those players who is incredibly easy to root for.
Kyle Trask: 3/10, 19 Yards | 1 Carry, 4 Yards
Trask was not at his best on Saturday, completing just three of ten passes as the second Tampa QB to take the field. It wouldn’t be surprising to see him open the season as the Bucs’ QB3.
Connor Bazelak: 14/18, 106 Yards | 2 Carries, -5 Yards
Running Back
Bucky Irving: 8 Carries, 12 Yards | 2 Targets, 1 Reception, 15 Yards, TD
The second-year phenom didn’t look super impressive on the ground, losing yardage on his first carry and managing only 12 yards on his eight totes. However, his highlight came on a 15-yard TD reception placed perfectly by Bridgewater. Irving lined up out wide and hauled in a perfectly-placed ball by Bridgewater. If he continues to earn opportunities as a pass catcher, the sky is the limit for Bucky this season.
Bucky Irving looking like a WR on this TD 🙌
Stream on @NFLPlus pic.twitter.com/xV1L135kA8
— NFL (@NFL) August 16, 2025
Sean Tucker: 4 Carries, 6 Yards | 4 Targets, 2 Receptions, 11 Yards
Not an impressive performance, but it’s notable that Sean Tucker garnered four targets in the passing game. If White’s groin injury lingers and prevents him from starting Week 1 on the active roster, Tucker would open as the team’s RB2 and would carry deep-league FLEX appeal. We’ve seen him flash his upside before in his dismantling of the Saints in Week 6 last season.
Josh Williams: 5 Carries, 21 Yards | 1 Target, 1 Reception, 13 Yards
Josh Williams is fourth on the RB depth chart, but he had some nice gains when given the rock. The UDFA has an uphill battle to make the 53-man roster, but if he sticks around on the practice squad, he’ll have to wait for some injuries ahead of him to get any opportunities.
Owen Wright: 4 Carries, 3 Yards | 1 Target, 1 Reception, 4 Yards
Wide Receiver/Tight End
Sterling Shepard: 3 Targets, 3 Receptions, 47 Yards
The veteran had some good catches this game, including a catch-and-run on fourth down to keep the chains moving for the Bucs near the end of the first quarter. However, this is a crowded receiver room, and Shepard won’t have fantasy utility without significant injuries ahead of him on the depth chart.
Tez Johnson: 7 Targets, 4 Receptions, 24 Yards, 1 Fumble (LOST)
Seventh-round rookie Tez Johnson was given many opportunities in this game, and it was a mixed bag. Johnson made a few nice plays, including a catch-and-run where he made a defender miss and turned upfield. He also operated as the team’s primary punt return man and had one great return, but also muffed a punt in the third quarter. Tez should make the team’s 53-man roster, but he isn’t a useful fantasy commodity right now. He’s a late-round rookie pick in Dynasty formats.
Jalen McMillan: 1 Target, 1 Reception, 18 Yards
McMillan made a good jumping catch on his only target of the day, but came down hard and hit his head on the turf in what looked like a potentially scary injury. Thankfully, he seems to have avoided anything major and should be ready to go for Week 1. If Chris Godwin opens the season on the PUP list, McMillan could be a sneaky FLEX play early on in the season after his red-hot finish to 2024. As long as he’s all systems go, he’s a great late-round flyer for the first few weeks of 2025.
Emeka Egbuka: 2 Targets, 1 Reception, 5 Yards, TD
The Ohio State product showed why the Buccaneers spent a first round on him with his five-yard TD catch in the first quarter. Egbuka used his excellent body control to corral a Bridgewater pass in the back corner of the end zone while still getting a knee down to stay in bounds. Again, this is a crowded room of pass catchers, but Egbuka has a clear path to success and will continue to get opportunities if he keeps showing off this level of skill.
This is why the @Buccaneers drafted Emeka Egbuka No. 19 overall 🙌
Stream on @NFLPlus pic.twitter.com/j0gxbusbOw
— NFL (@NFL) August 16, 2025
Cade Otton: 2 Targets, 0 Receptions
A goose egg in this game means nothing for Cade Otton‘s status as the team’s top tight end. He’s best viewed as a low-end, TD-dependent TE2 like so many others.
Garrett Greene: 3 Targets, 3 Receptions, 25 Yards
Garrett Greene and the players beneath him don’t have a strong chance to make the 53-man roster.
Tanner Taula: 2 Targets, 1 Reception, 15 Yards, 1 Fumble (LOST)
Ryan Miller: 3 Target, 2 Receptions, 11 Yards
Jaden Smith: 1 Target, 1 Reception, 9 Yards
No, not that one.
Rakim Jarrett: 3 Targets, 1 Reception, 8 Yards
Jacob Harris: 3 Targets, 1 Reception, 5 Yards
Pittsburgh Steelers
Quarterback
Mason Rudolph: 3/5, 46 Yards, TD, INT | 1 Carry, 7 Yards
Rudolph was picked off on his first pass attempt downfield, but otherwise looked serviceable. He’s the backup to Aaron Rodgers, meaning there’s a decent chance we’ll see him start at some point this season if the 42-year-old is unable to stay healthy via his biohacking methods.
Skylar Thompson: 10/15, 113 Yards, INT | 3 Carries, 8 Yards
We’ve seen plenty of Skylar Thompson in relief of Tua Tagovailoa during his time in Miami. Hopefully, we won’t have to see much of him under center for the Steelers. He will likely be relegated to the practice squad, with many believing that Will Howard will be the team’s third QB to make the 53-man roster.
Logan Woodside: 4/9, 45 Yards, INT
Running Back
Kaleb Johnson: 11 Carries, 50 Yards | 1 Target, 1 Reception, 9 Yards
Kaleb Johnson dynasty drafters can breathe a sigh of relief, as the former Hawkeye looked much better in his second preseason game. He projects to fill the Najee Harris role in short-yardage and goal-line situations and is currently listed as the team’s RB3 behind Warren and Kenneth Gainwell. Johnson reportedly has room to grow in his pass protection abilities, which has me apprehensive of his RB28 ADP. At the very least, he shouldn’t be going ahead of Warren (RB31) in redraft leagues, especially PPR formats. It’s also worth noting he operated as the team’s kick returner and performed well, tallying 81 yards on his three returns. I see Johnson as a slow burn throughout the season who may struggle to return on investment early while he matures as an NFL RB.
Kenneth Gainwell: 2 Carries, 2 Yards | 1 Target, 1 Reception, 2 Yards
The former Eagle handled some early touches but didn’t do much with them. He should open up the season behind Warren, but, curiously, he is listed as the RB2 ahead of Johnson. It’s likely Mike Tomlin giving respect to veteran players, but we’ll have to watch how snap counts and opportunities are split between this backfield early in the season.
Trey Sermon: 3 Carries, 4 Yards, TD | 2 Targets, 1 Reception, 4 Yards
Oh, hey, you’re still here! It really is a bummer we won’t have a guy named Sermon contributing regularly on Sundays.
Lew Nichols: 3 Carries, 42 Yards | 1 Target, 1 Reception, 6 Yards
Evan Hull: 3 Carries, 17 Yards
Wide Receiver/Tight End
Roman Wilson: 4 Targets, 2 Receptions, 72 Yards
Wilson was the target of the Mason Rudolph interception, so it’s clear Pittsburgh is trying to get him involved in the downfield game. He also caught a 43-yard pass from Rudolph after beating the Bucs’ secondary late in the first quarter. While DK Metcalf is the unquestioned WR1 in Pittsburgh, there are plenty of targets up for grabs after him, and Wilson seems to be the biggest beneficiary. The former third-round pick is making a good case to be an important part of the Steelers’ passing attack in 2025 after missing nearly all of his rookie season with injuries. While Calvin Austin III didn’t play in this game and should be the team’s WR2 to start the season, Wilson has the talent to surpass him if he keeps getting open.
The Steelers haven’t signed more veteran receivers up to this point in part because they are high on Roman Wilson, who impressed both in the joint practice with the #Bucs and the game. Last night was a good sign for Pittsburgh. pic.twitter.com/YwltIo40GH
— Jeremy Fowler (@JFowlerESPN) August 17, 2025
Roc Taylor: 5 Targets, 3 Receptions, 39 Yards
Scotty Miller: 2 Targets, 2 Receptions, 38 Yards
Miller hasn’t sniffed fantasy relevance since 2020.
JJ Galbreath: 2 Targets, 2 Receptions, 17 Yards
Brandon Johnson: 3 Targets, 3 Receptions, 16 Yards, 1 TD
Brandon Johnson caught Rudolph’s only touchdown pass of the day, but he doesn’t have a clear enough path to targets behind Metcalf, Austin, Wilson, and Pittsburgh’s tight ends.
Connor Heyward: 1 Target, 1 Reception, 1 Yard
Lance McCutcheon: 2 Targets, 0 Receptions
One of his targets bounced off his hands and was intercepted in the red zone. Oof.
Max Hurleman: 3 Targets, 0 Receptions