While rookie mini-camp served as the first look at the Bucs 2026 draft class in action, it also opened the door for a couple of tryout players to earn roster spots. That is exactly what came out of it, as Fox Sports’ Greg Auman reported on Sunday evening that Tampa Bay will be signing two players from it — as of now. Outside linebacker Yasir Holmes and wide receiver Dean Patterson are the newest players to join the 90-man roster.
Yasir Holmes Is An Obscure OLB Find By The Bucs Front Office
The first signing reported by Greg Auman provides another player for the Bucs to bring along during the upcoming OTAs and mandatory mini-camp. Yasir Holmes spent his final season in college at Tarleton State in 2025, transferring there after spending four seasons at Frostburg State from 2021-2024. During his first collegiate stop, Holmes recorded 141 tackles, 32.5 tackles for loss, 14 sacks, and two forced fumbles. He really took off during the 2024 season, recording 68 tackles, 18.5 tackles for loss, eight sacks, and a forced fumble.
Bucs OLB Yasir Holmes – Photo by: IMAGN Images
Using that as a platform, he moved on to Tarleton State and had another quality year for the Texans. In 14 games, Holmes had 47 tackles, 13 tackles for loss, eight sacks, and a forced fumble. While playing at a smaller school makes him a more obscure player to provide an in-depth scouting report on, he did post a two-part highlight reel on his own YouTube channel.
The outside linebacker room is just about set in stone looking ahead to the season. With Yaya Diaby, Rueben Bain Jr., Al-Quadin Muhammad, David Walker, and Anthony Nelson, that is five players all but locked in. If Chris Braswell remains, he would be the sixth outside linebacker for his special teams ability.
That means Holmes is likely fighting for a practice squad spot against fellow undrafted rookie Jack Pyburn, as well as Mohamed Kamara and Benton Whitley. Based on the video above and given the fact he is 6-foot-2 and 240 pounds, his pass-rushing prowess is the main draw.
Dean Patterson Adds To An Already Loaded Bucs WR Competition
Just when the Bucs seemed to have enough wide receivers, another was signed to add some extra competition during the summer.
Dean Patterson is the second undrafted wide receiver from Georgia Tech to come to Tampa Bay, joining former teammate Eric Rivers. Rivers has quite the case to fight for a roster spot, but Patterson has an intriguing background to know, as well.
Bucs WR Dean Patterson – Photo by: IMAGN Images – Kim Klement Neitzel
A Lutz, Florida native, he graduated at Steinbrenner high school before starting his career at Findlay, although he did not play during the 2020 season due to COVID. From there, Patterson transferred to Florida International University, where he spent four seasons. During his time at FIU, he recorded 98 catches for 1,406 yards and eight touchdowns. That included a breakout 2024 campaign where he had 50 catches for 685 yards and seven touchdowns. He would then use his redshirt senior season to head up to Georgia Tech. His impact was not as substantial for the Yellow Jackets, with just eight catches for 150 yards and two touchdowns in 13 games.
Even despite the decrease in production, Patterson flashed enough talent during rookie minicamp to warrant a further look. At 6-foot-2 and 200 pounds, he has some size to him, especially compared to other wide receivers in the mix. His chances to make the 53-man roster are very minimal, given the depth at the position with Chris Godwin Jr., Emeka Egbuka, Jalen McMillan, Ted Hurst, Tez Johnson, and Kameron Johnson the top names. That is already six wideouts, not to mention Rivers, David Sills V, Garrett Greene, Noah Short, and Dennis Houston also in the mix.
That makes it a long climb for Patterson to even earn a practice squad spot, but a solid camp and preseason could keep his name in the hat. While Yasir Holmes and Dean Patterson are the first two signings from Bucs rookie mini-camp, stay tuned to PewterReport.com for the latest news and updates.