Bucs Sign 5 2023 Draft Picks
Bucs ILB SirVocea Dennis – Photo by: Cliff Welch/PR
Bucs announced that they’ve signed five members of its 2023 draft class: linebacker SirVocea Dennis, tight end Payne Durham, defensive back Josh Hayes, wide receiver Trey Palmer and outside linebacker Jose Ramirez. All five were Day 3 selections. Because of their low, rookie base salaries the team still had plenty of cap room to sign them because their salaries don’t count against the Top 51 salaries during the offseason.
Only three picks remain unsigned heading into Tampa Bay’s mandatory mini-camp – first-round pick, defensive tackle Calijah Kancey, second-round pick, offensive lineman Cody Mauch, and third-round pick, outside linebacker YaYa Diaby.
The following information is from the Bucs’ press release announcing the rookie signings.
Bucs ILB SirVocea Dennis
Dennis (6-0, 226) was selected by the Buccaneers in the fifth round (No. 153 overall) of the 2023 NFL Draft. He spent his college career at the University of Pittsburgh, appearing in 42 career games across four seasons (2019-22). Throughout his collegiate career, he totaled 233 tackles (36 for loss), 15.0 sacks, five passes defensed, two interceptions, two forced fumbles, one fumble recovery and one blocked kick.
During his senior year, he recorded 7.0 sacks, good for second-most among all ACC defenders. According to Pro Football Focus, Dennis’ 90.6 grade during the 2022 season ranked second among Power Five linebackers.
Following the 2022 campaign, he was named first team All-ACC, a Pro Football Focus All-American (third team) and was a Butkus Award semifinalist. Dennis is a native of Syracuse, New York, and wears No. 8 for Tampa Bay.
Bucs TE Payne Durham
Durham (6-6, 253) was selected by the Buccaneers in the fifth round (No. 171 overall) of the 2023 NFL Draft. He spent his college career at Purdue University (2019-22), appearing in 45 career games and recording 126 catches for 1,275 yards and 21 touchdowns. Durham’s 21 receiving touchdowns are fifth most in Purdue history and second most by a tight end in program history.
During his senior season, he tallied 56 receptions for 560 yards and eight touchdowns. His eight touchdown receptions in 2022 were tied for second-most by a tight end in the nation. Following the 2022 season, he was a Mackey Award semifinalist, was named second team All-Big Ten, and an All-American Honorable Mention. He is a native of Suwanee, Georgia, and wears No. 87 for Tampa Bay.
Bucs Nickelback Josh Hayes
Hayes (5-11, 197) was selected by the Buccaneers in the sixth round (No. 181 overall) of the 2023 NFL Draft. He spent his senior season at Kansas State University, recording 72 tackles (5.5 for loss), seven passes defensed and one forced fumble.
Prior to his time at Kansas State, he spent one season (2021) at the University of Virginia, and four seasons at North Dakota State University (2017-20), appearing in three games and 52 games, respectively. Across 68 games in his collegiate career, he totaled 204 tackles, 26 passes defensed, three forced fumbles and two interceptions.
He is the nephew of former Tampa Bay Buccaneers linebacker Geno Hayes. He is a native of Lakeland, Florida, and wears No. 32for Tampa Bay.
Bucs WR Trey Palmer
Palmer (6-0, 192) was selected by the Buccaneers in the sixth round (No. 191 overall) of the 2023 NFL Draft. spent his senior season at the University of Nebraska, recording 71 receptions for 1,043 yards and nine touchdowns in 12 games. His 1,043 receiving yards set a Nebraska single-season record and his 71 receptions established a new high by a wide receiver, ranking second overall in program history.
Palmer’s nine touchdowns in 2022 were fifth most in a single season in program history. Among Power Five receivers with 100-or-more targets, Palmer’s 83.6 Pro Football Focus grade in 2022 ranked third nationally. Prior to his time at Nebraska, Palmer spent three seasons at Louisiana State University (2019-21) totaling 41 receptions for 458 yards and three touchdowns through 28 games.
Palmer also excelled on special teams in college, recording 27 punt returns for 224 yards and one touchdown, as well as 18 kickoff returns for 456 yards and one touchdown. He is a native of Kentwood, Louisiana, and wears No. 10 for Tampa Bay.
Bucs OLB Jose Ramirez
Ramirez (6-2, 242) was selected by the Buccaneers in the sixth round (No. 196 overall) of the 2023 NFL Draft. He played 36 games over four seasons at Eastern Michigan University (2019-22). He recorded 156 tackles (34 for loss), 20.5 sacks, seven passes defensed and six forced fumbles.
In 2022, Ramirez led the Mid-American Conference in sacks (12.0 for 79 yards) and tackles for loss (19.5). In 2021, he earned All-MAC honors for the second-straight season and earned MAC Defensive Player of the Week honors after totaling a career-best 10 tackles and a career-high 3.0 sacks against Toledo.
Prior to his time at Eastern Michigan, he spent one-year at Riverside City College in Riverside, California. During the 2018 season at Riverside, he played in 12 games recording 44 tackles, 8.0 sacks, and one forced fumble. He is a native of Lake Alfred, Florida, and wears No. 33 for Tampa Bay.
