The Bucs’ preseason concludes on Saturday night time in a house sport in opposition to the Baltimore Ravens. Tampa Bay will then trim its roster from 90 gamers right down to 53 by 4:00 p.m. on Tuesday, August 29. A month after his preliminary roster prediction, Scott Reynolds presents up his closing 53-man roster prediction previous to Saturday’s preseason finale through which the crew’s starters will play, in keeping with head coach Todd Bowles.

Bucs 53-Man Roster Prediction

QUARTERBACKS – 2

QB Baker Mayfield
QB Kyle Trask
 
Evaluation: Baker Mayfield has received the quarterback competitors and would be the crew’s starter heading into the 2023 season. Mayfield’s 69 profession begins performed an enormous position within the Bucs’ resolution, as there is no such thing as a substitute for expertise. Backup Kyle Trask actually improved this offseason and is coming off a robust displaying within the Bucs’ 13-6 win over the Jets on Saturday night time.

The Bucs will doubtless preserve simply two quarterbacks on the lively roster with veteran third-stringer John Wolford being lower after which added to the observe squad in the identical method that Ryan Griffin was the crew’s veteran No. 3 QB final season.

RUNNING BACKS – 3

Bucs RB Sean Tucker – Photograph by: Cliff Welch/PR

RB Rachaad White
RB Chase Edmonds
RB Sean Tucker
 
Evaluation: The Bucs might very effectively preserve 4 working backs on their roster, together with fourth-year again Ke’Shawn Vaughn. However there’s a likelihood he might be a shock lower resulting from his lack of velocity and explosiveness. Rachaad White, Chase Edmonds and rookie Sean Tucker are merely quicker, extra explosive backs.

Vaughn underwhelmed within the first two preseason video games, dashing for a woeful minus-4 yards on 11 carries and catching one go for 10 yards. If he winds up making the 53-man roster will probably be resulting from his particular groups play. There’s a likelihood that Vaughn, Patrick Laird or rookie Ronnie Brown winds up on the observe squad.

WIDE RECEIVERS – 6

WR Mike Evans
WR Chris Godwin
WR Trey Palmer
WR David Moore
WR Deven Thompkins
WR Rakim Jarrett

Evaluation: Mike Evans and Chris Godwin would be the apparent starters. Dave Canales is not going to title a standard No. 3 large receiver with Russell Gage’s season-ending damage. As an alternative, WR3 might be achieved by a committee method between the likes of sensational sixth-round decide Trey Palmer, veteran David Moore, spectacular undrafted free agent Rakim Jarrett and the electrical Deven Thompkins, who will even function the return specialist.

Ryan Miller could be the favourite to wind up on the observe squad the place the Bucs will doubtless preserve two receivers, though Kade Warner, Kaylon Geiger Sr. and Taye Barber even have an opportunity.

TIGHT ENDS – 4

Bucs TE David Wells and RB Chase Edmonds – Photograph by: Cliff Welch/PR

TE Cade Otton
TE David Wells
TE Ko Kieft
TE Payne Durham
 
Evaluation: Cade Otton will begin and David Wells has been a pleasing shock, rising as TE2 on the depth chart due to his means to catch and block at 6-foot-6, 260 kilos. Ko Kieft might be a mainstay on particular groups and be primarily used as a blocking tight finish on offense. Rookie Payne Durham, a fifth-round draft decide, has a nostril for the tip zone and can make the 53-man roster as a developmental tight finish.

Tanner Taula doubtless beats out Dominique Dafney for a spot on the observe squad.

OFFENSIVE LINEMEN – 10

LT Tristan Wirfs
LG Matt Feiler
C Robert Hainsey
RG Cody Mauch
RT Luke Goedeke
C-G Nick Leverett
OT Justin Skule
G-T Brandon Walton
OT Raiquon O’Neal
***C Ryan Jensen
 
Evaluation: It’s wanting an increasing number of like heart Ryan Jensen might be beginning the season on injured reserve. If the crew hopes to deliver him again after no less than 4 weeks he’ll should be on the ultimate 53-man roster earlier than being positioned on I.R. So he’s on this roster for that motive, nevertheless it definitely seems as if Robert Hainsey might be Tampa Bay’s beginning heart once more this season. He’ll be a part of left deal with Tristan Wirfs, left guard Matt Feiler, rookie proper guard Cody Mauch and proper deal with Luke Goedeke within the beginning lineup.

Nick Leverett makes the roster as a helpful reserve able to enjoying guard or heart, whereas Brandon Walton can play both deal with spot and guard. Justin Skule doubtless replaces Josh Wells because the Bucs’ swing deal with, whereas rookie Raiquon O’Neal has super upside as a future swing deal with candidate.

John Molchon will doubtless be lower and might be added again to switch Jensen the day after the 53-man roster is established. In any other case he’s doubtless on the observe squad. Rookies Chris Murray, Luke Haggard and Silas Dsanzi are additionally observe squad candidates.

DEFENSIVE LINEMEN – 6

Bucs DT Logan Corridor – Photograph by: Cliff Welch/PR

DT Calijah Kancey
NT Vita Vea
DT Logan Corridor
NT Greg Gaines
DT Will Gholston
DT Pat O’Connor

Evaluation: No surprises right here as former prime picks Calijah Kancey, Vita Vea and Logan Corridor will all be starters alongside the defensive position this yr in Todd Bowles’ 3-4 scheme. Kancey would be the three-technique, whereas Vea will return to enjoying largely nostril deal with. Kancey and Vea would be the two inside defensive linemen in nickel protection.

The reserves might be a pair of run-stuffers in Greg Gaines, who replaces Rakeem Nunez-Roches because the backup nostril deal with, and veteran Will Gholston, who returns this yr as a reserve. Pat O’Connor has added dimension and is as much as 300 kilos and is usually a sub in nickel rush conditions, in addition to a stalwart on particular groups. Mike Greene and Deadrin Senat might wind up on the Bucs observe squad.

OUTSIDE LINEBACKERS – 5

OLB Shaq Barrett
OLB Joe Tryon-Shoyinka
OLB Anthony Nelson
OLB YaYa Diaby
OLB Markees Watts

Evaluation: The Bucs wind up holding 5 exterior linebackers to assist their edge rush in addition to their particular groups models. Shaq Barrett retains approaching and will return to type this season after a profitable restoration from a torn Achilles tendon. Joe Tryon-Shoyinka is beneath the gun to have a giant yr to stay as much as his former first-round draft standing. Anthony Nelson and rookie YaYa Diaby will even push for taking part in time and convey some added energy to the skin linebacker room.

The ultimate spot on the depth chart is up for grabs between undrafted free agent Markees Watts, sixth-round draft decide Jose Ramirez, veteran Cam Gill and Charles Snowden, a 6-foot-7 practice-squadder from a yr in the past. Watts is within the driver’s seat heading into the preseason finale, however should play effectively on particular groups to beat out Gill. The others are observe squad candidates.

INSIDE LINEBACKERS – 5

Bucs ILB J.J. Russell – Photograph by: Cliff Welch/PR

ILB Lavonte David
ILB Devin White
ILB SirVocea Dennis
ILB Ok.J. Britt
ILB J.J. Russell

Evaluation: Lavonte David and Devin White make up one of many NFL’s extra athletic and dynamic duos. David isn’t slowing down at age 33, whereas White seems to be centered on enjoying for a brand new deal and have to be extra constant. Fifth-round decide SirVocea Dennis acquired off to begin in coaching camp earlier than struggling an damage within the preseason opener the place he had simply a mean debut. He’ll make the crew as a reserve.

Dennis joins the likes of veteran Ok.J. Britt, who’s a core particular teamer and J.J. Russell, who has been a playmaker within the first two preseason video games and can consider on particular groups too. If the Bucs solely preserve 4 inside linebackers then both Russell or Britt might wind up on the observe squad, becoming a member of Ulysees Gilbert there as effectively.

CORNERBACKS – 5

CB Carlton Davis III
CB Jamel Dean
NCB Dee Delaney
CB Zyon McCollum
CB Keenan Isaac

Evaluation: The Bucs are fairly younger after the terrific tandem of starters Carlton Davis III and Jamel Dean. Each veterans are highly-paid and should provide you with extra interceptions and do a greater job of staying wholesome this season. Zyon McCollum has improved a bit this preseason and would be the first exterior cornerback off the bench to fill in for Dean or Davis. Veteran Dee Delaney will doubtless emerge because the beginning nickelback and brings super versatility to the secondary.

The fifth and closing cornerback spot will doubtless go to Keenan Isaac, a 6-foot-2 undrafted free agent who has a great deal of uncooked expertise and upside or veteran Anthony Chesley – relying on particular groups. Josh Hayes, a sixth-round draft decide, will doubtless wind up on the observe squad with both Chesley or Isaac.

SAFETIES – 4

Bucs NCB Christian Izien – Photograph by: Cliff Welch/PR

FS Antoine Winfield Jr.
SS Ryan Neal
NCB Chris Izien
SS Kaevon Merriweather

Evaluation: Antoine Winfield Jr. and Ryan Neal have the prospect at being one of many league’s finest duos at security. Each are in contract years and extremely motivated getting into the 2023 marketing campaign. Winfield will play extra heart area in Cowl 1 and Cowl 3 with the hope of making extra interceptions. Neal is on a one-year, prove-it deal and goals to point out that final season in Seattle was no fluke, and that he’s a younger security on the rise.

Merriweather is a bodily power that might develop right into a future starter in time. The crew is excessive on his potential. Izien will get the nod over Nolan Turner resulting from his velocity, athleticism and talent to play nickel in addition to each security spots. Turner doubtless lands on the observe squad once more until he seems to be a greater particular groups participant than Merriweather.

SPECIALISTS – 3

Ok Chase McLaughlin
P Jake Camarda
LS Zach Triner

Evaluation: The Bucs’ specialists have already been determined with the discharge of kicker Rodrigo Blankenship after his two misses in opposition to the Jets on Saturday night time. Chase McLaughlin would be the place kicker, whereas Jake Camarda will deal with punts, kickoffs and function the holder. Zach Triner returns because the lengthy snapper.