After former Washington Huskies tight end Devin Culp put on an impressive showing at the NFL Combine, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers selected him in the seventh round, pairing him with his college teammate Cade Otton.
With Otton in the midst of a breakout season, Culp has spent the majority of the season on Tampa Bay’s inactive list. Coming into Sunday, he had played in just three games during his rookie year, but Otton missed the game against the Carolina Panthers with a knee injury, thrusting Culp into action.
Midway through the first quarter, quarterback Baker Mayfield got the rookie involved. On Tampa Bay’s second drive of the game, he connected with Culp on a deep out route to pick up 26 yards for his first career reception.
Three plays later, Mayfield rifled a ball over the middle to Culp for a 17-yard gain, moving the Buccaneers deep into the red zone. Tampa Bay would cap the drive off with a field goal that put them ahead for good in what turned into a 48-14 rout.
Culp finished the game with 3 catches for 52 yards and earned some praise from his quarterback after the game.
“Devin is obviously extremely talented in the passing game,” Mayfield said. He’s able to catch the ball, he’s super explosive, it was good to get him involved.”