Mayfield eyes a dynamic shift in Tampa Bay, hailing rookie wideout Ted Hurst’s elite range and veteran back Kenneth Gainwell’s versatile playmaking during mandatory mini camp.
As the Tampa Bay Buccaneers wrap up their mandatory mini-camp this week, quarterback Baker Mayfield had some high praise for new offensive weapons Ted Hurst and Kenneth Gainwell.
Mayfield spoke about newly drafted wide receiver Ted Hurst III, who was drafted in the third round of the 2026 NFL Draft out of Georgia State, as some believe to be the X receiver, replacing former Bucs wideout Mike Evans.
"I really like Ted's game," Mayfield told reporters on Tuesday. "He's a bigger-bodied receiver. Exceptional hands. I think his body control, he can really cover a lot of ground. For a big guy, he can cover a lot of ground. He should be a weapon for us; he should be able to help us out. For him, it's the normal rookie stuff, learning the offense and formations, to where it's not having to think the whole time. It's more second nature. That goes with it the whole time. He'll get better each day and continue to grasp it and help us out."
In his senior season at Georgia State in 2025, Hurst accumulated 71 receptions for 1,004 yards and six touchdowns, being named First-Team All Sun-Belt. Hurst is an athletic receiver with the size and ability to go up and get the 50/50 ball, but also has a lot of speed to be a threat downfield, running a 4.42 at the 2026 NFL Combine.
That wasn't the only new offensive piece, Mayfield talked about. He also expressed how newly signed running back Kenneth Gainwell is doing thus far with the team.
"Ken has been doing great," said Mayfield. "He's somebody that I've respected from afar when he was Philly and the Steelers. You can tell he's a sharp kid who's always been able to do pass protection stuff. He was doing that in Philly from a very early on in his career point, and then in Pittsburgh, he actually balled out. Now to have him here, we're lucky because he's extremely sharp, a great leader, can do everything you ask for. Obviously, with Bucky coming back slowly, it's good to have those guys, and obviously, the running back room still having Tuck in there as well."
Gainwell spent the last season on the Pittsburgh Steelers, where he rushed for 537 yards and five touchdowns, while catching 73 passes for 486 receiving yards and three receiving touchdowns.
The Buccaneers signed the former Super Bowl Champion with the Philadelphia Eagles to a two-year, $14 million deal back in March 2026. Gainwell's versatility as a runner and pass catcher can work well with the Bucs as they throw to the running backs quite a bit, doing so 85 times in 2025, according to Pro Football Reference.
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