Bucs Sign Two Members Of 2024 Draft Class

After splitting their first four picks of the 2024 Draft between offense and defense, the Bucs went back to the offense with their first selection on Day 3. Needing a running back to complement Rachaad White, Tampa Bay went with Irving, a 5-foot-10, 195-pounder out of Oregon. The No. 125 overall pick actually began his collegiate career at Minnesota, where he ran for 699 yards and four touchdowns in 2021 before transferring in 2022.

Irving was a 1,000-yard rusher in back-to-back seasons with the Ducks between 2022 and 2023. He also totaled 16 touchdowns on the ground while averaging 6.5 yards per carry over those two campaigns. He also proved to be a receiving threat out of the backfield, catching 87 passes for 712 yards and five more scores over those two seasons at Oregon.

It was previously announced that Irving will wear No. 7 for the Bucs, as the No. 0 he wore at Oregon already belongs to outside linebacker Yaya Diaby.

Tampa Bay had a long wait after selecting Irving with the 125th overall pick, as the team wasn’t back on the clock until pick No. 220, which was in the sixth round. With that selection, the Bucs drafted Klein, a guard out of UTEP. The 6-foot-4, 319-pounder was with the Miners from 2018-2023 and appeared in 56 games during that span. He was primarily a right guard and helped UTEP’s ground game immensely, especially during a 2023 season that saw him earn All-Conference USA honors.

Tampa Bay will hope that Klein can crack the lineup sooner or later, as the team’s run game has finished dead last in the league over the last two seasons. The Bucs currently have an opening at left guard, where free agent signee Sua Opeta appears to be the favorite.

However, Opeta will have to win the job in training camp as he faces competition from fellow free agent signee Ben Bredeson and likely Klein, who was signed to his rookie deal on Friday. Klein played predominantly on the right side in college, but the Bucs haven’t been afraid to ask offensive linemen to flip to other positions over the years.

Klein will wear No. 79 for the Bucs after the number previously belonged to Pat O’Connor from 2017-2023.

Bucs Have Five More 2024 Draft Picks To Sign

By signing Irving and Klein to their rookie contracts, the Bucs now have five more members of their 2024 draft class to sign: first-round center Graham Barton, second-round outside linebacker Chris Braswell, third-round defensive back Tykee Smith, third-round receiver Jalen McMillan and seventh-round tight end Devin Culp. Tampa Bay’s rookie mini-camp is set to take place Friday, May 10 and Saturday, May 11.