The Tampa Bay Buccaneers will wrap up the 2022 preseason against the Indianapolis Colts on Saturday, which means there isn't a whole lot of time left for those pushing to lock up a spot on the 53-man roster.

Typically, this type of prediction is reserved for after the game, when we've seen the results. However, there are no specific rules regarding when teams can make their final cuts. The Buccaneers could waive/release a player on their way back to Tampa Bay, if they want.

So, to avoid the potential headaches that could possibly come with trying to write this out after the game, I figured it's best to go ahead and make these predictions, now.

The Buccaneers placed Cam Gill, Kenjon Barner, and Aaron Stinnie on IR, so they won't be on this list. Nothing has been done with Ryan Jensen, but my prediction is he'll go on IR on Tuesday after the final cut deadline.

*Starters are italicized and predicted in accordance with the Buccaneers' 3-4 base defense

Quarterback (3)

Makes the 53: Tom Brady, Blaine Gabbert, Kyle Trask
Cut or traded: N/A

This is the most obvious and easiest position group to predict. Brady is Brady, while Gabbert will serve as the backup. Trask will take the "developmental role" as quarterbacks coach Clyde Christensen stated earlier in the year.

Running back (4)

Makes the 53:Leonard Fournette, Ke'Shawn Vaughn, Rachaad White, Giovani Bernard
Cut or traded: Patrick Laird

Bernard's future has been a question mark, but the Buccaneers are in win-now mode and they need a reliable veteran in case Fournette goes down again. His pass protection is more than enough reason to keep him.

Wide receiver (6)

Makes the 53:Mike Evans, Chris Godwin, Russell Gage, Julio Jones, Tyler Johnson, Jaelon Darden
Cut or traded: Breshad Perriman, Scotty Miller, Jerreth Sterns, Deven Thompkins, Kaylon Geiger

Easily the hardest position group to predict. Johnson has had a solid preseason, so he's locked up the WR5 position. Darden barley showed anything during his rookie year, but he's still the best returner option on the roster and he has a skill set the other top-5 receivers don't have. That's why he barely makes the cut.

Tight end (4)

Makes the 53:Cameron Brate, Kyle Rudolph, Cade Otton, Ko Kieft
Cut or traded: J.J. Howland

There's talk the Buccaneers will carry three tight ends and stash Kieft on the practice squad. That makes a lot of sense, but the last thing the Buccaneers can afford is to lose him via waivers because all it takes is one big injury to the older Rudolph or Brate and the Bucs are in trouble at the position.

Based off how the Buccaneers have used Kieft in the preseason and his play, he seems like a lock to make the 53.

Offensive line (8)

Makes the 53:Donovan Smith, Nick Leverett, Robert Hainsey, Shaq Mason, Tristan Wirfs, Josh Wells, Luke Goedeke, Brandon Walton
Cut or traded: Sadarius Hutcherson, John Molchon, Dylan Cook, Fred Johnson

It makes a lot of sense for the Buccaneers to carry nine offensive linemen, especially with the NFL's rule about carrying at least eight on game day. However, the versatility of Leverett and Walton allow the Buccaneers to carry eight. They can stash Fred Johnson on the practice squad in order to keep one more true tackle around just in case.

Defensive line (6)

Makes the 53:William Gholston, Vita Vea, Akiem Hicks, Logan Hall, Rakeem Nunez-Roches, Patrick O'Connor
Cut or traded: Deadrin Senat, Benning Potoa'e, Willigton Previlon, Mike Greene

The Buccaneers (technically) carried seven DL last year, but they can sneak the cut guys through waivers and onto the practice squad. And who knows, a good depth piece may come available Tuesday.

Outside linebacker (4)

Makes the 53:Shaquil Barrett, Joe Tryon-Shoyinka, Anthony Nelson, Carl Nassib
Cut or traded: Genard Avery, Elijah Ponder, Andre Anthony, Jordan Young

Todd Bowles said Thursday the Buccaneers brought in Avery so they wouldn't have to look for someone like him during the season, but that doesn't mean he's a lock. He's a stash candidate, as well as the other cuts.

Inside linebacker (5)

Makes the 53:Lavonte David, Devin White, K.J. Britt, Grant Stuard, Olakunle Fatukasi
Cut or traded: J.J. Russell

Stuard is a good special teams player and Fatukasi has shown way too much during the preseason to not make the team.

Cornerback (6)

Makes the 53:Carlton Davis III, Sean Murphy-Bunting Jr., Jamel Dean, Zyon McCollum, Dee Delaney, Rashard Robinson
Cut or traded: Don Gardner, Kyler McMichael

McCollum's hamstring tweak reminds the Buccaneers they need to load up on cornerbacks, especially after last year. There's also the fact that their top-3 corners in CDIII, SMB, and Dean have all had injury issues over the course of their careers, as well. The Buccaneers would be foolish to carry less than six corners into the season.

Safety (4)

Makes the 53:Antoine Winfield Jr., Logan Ryan, Mike Edwards, Keanu Neal
Cut or traded: Chris Cooper, Nolan Turner

This is one of the easiest position groups to predict. The top-3 are set and Neal will provide a middle-of-the-field presence in dime packages.

Special teams (3)

Makes the 53: Jose Borregales, Jake Camarda, Zach Triner
Cut or traded: Ryan Succop

The Buccaneers have to take a gamble on youth at some point and they do just that with Borregales. He has a much better leg and the last thing the Buccaneers want to do is miss out on another young kicker with a big leg (Matt Gay, anyone?).

Both kickers have done really well during the preseason, but Borregales has a higher ceiling and his youth gives him the chance to be a starter for the next decade.

Practice squad (13)

Obviously, these guys have to make it through waivers before they can join the Buccaneers practice squad, so this based off the players that I believe will make it back to the Bucs.

QB Ryan Griffin, WR Breshad Perriman, WR Deven Thompkins, G Sadarius Hutcherson, OL John Molchon, T Fred Johnson, DT Deadrin Senat, DT Benning Potoa'e, OLB Genard Avery, OLB Elijah Ponder, OLB Andre Anthony, CB Don Gardner, S Chris Cooper

The rest of the practice squad will consist of other additions.

Featured image via Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports