Bucs 53-man roster projection: A shake-up at QB headlines the biggest change before the first preseason game vs. Titans
The table is set for a very interesting Buccaneers preseason.
We are now a little more than two weeks into Tampa Bay Buccaneers training camp and that obviously means we know a lot more than we did at the start.
At this point, the Bucs have held 12 total practices. That includes five padded practices and a joint practice (also padded) with the Tennessee Titans. It’s a solid sample size to where we can go ahead and get in a 53-man roster projection before the preseason games begin.
There will be some changes from our pre-training camp 53-man roster projection, as camp battles and injuries are starting to shape the roster. I am going to go ahead and predict that both Chris Godwin and Tristan Wirfs will start the year on either the PUP list or short-term IR, therefore, they’ll be listed on here but won’t count against the roster.
With all that being said, let’s dive in.
Note: Players with a single asterisk (*) are 2025 draft picks and players with double asterisks (**) are 2025 undrafted free agents.
Quarterback (2)
IN: Baker Mayfield, Teddy Bridgewater
OUT: Kyle Trask, Michael Pratt, Connor Bazelak**
The skinny: Jason Licht and the Bucs have flirted with the idea of bringing Bridgewater to Tampa Bay for years and the timing worked to where they could finally pull it off. I’m going to go ahead and say he beats out Trask for the backup job. Licht said Trask is the Bucs’ backup QB, but also left the door cracked open for Bridgewater to take the job if it makes sense. I think he’ll do that with a strong preseason.
Practice squad prediction: Trask ends up on the practice squad.
Running back (3)
IN: Bucky Irving, Rachaad White, Sean Tucker
OUT: Owen Wright, Josh Williams**
The skinny: Williams was looking really good until he got hurt and missed several practices. That really hurt his momentum when it comes to making the cut. There’s still a chance he makes the 53, but right now, I don’t think it’ll happen simply based on the depth in the room and the fact that he just hasn’t been practicing. Owen is fighting for a spot, but he was brought in to help manage the reps, more than anything.
Practice squad prediction: Williams should make the practice squad.
Wide receiver (7)
IN: Mike Evans, Jalen McMillan, Emeka Egbuka*, Sterling Shepard, Tez Johnson*, Trey Palmer, Jaden Smith**, Chris Godwin (PUP/IR)
OUT: Kameron Johnson, Dennis Houston, Ryan Miller, Garrett Greene**, Jacob Harris, Rakim Jarrett
The skinny: Per reports, no one has really separated themselves when it comes to the last couple of receiver spots. Mix that in with Tez Johnson’s injury and it’s easy to see why the preseason games will ultimately decided the WR5-and-beyond positions. Right now, I have Trey Palmer in because of where he was surprisingly slotted on the Buccaneers’ first unofficial depth chart and Jaden Smith is in because he’s a big ol’ boy at 6-foot-6, 210 pounds and the Bucs could use some more size.
Practice squad prediction: Kameron Johnson and Rakim Jarrett land here.
Tight end (4)
IN: Cade Otton, Payne Durham, Ko Kieft, Devin Culp
OUT: Tanner Taula
The skinny: This looks the exact same as our pre-training camp projection and it shouldn’t change unless there’s a big injury to one of the Top-4 guys. Otton has missed almost the entirety of camp and it’s unknown when he’ll be back, though, so that’s certainly something to keep monitoring over the next couple of weeks.
Practice squad prediction: Taula gets the nod.
Offensive line (10)
IN: Charlie Heck (LT), Ben Bredeson (LG), Graham Barton (C), Cody Mauch (RG), Luke Goedeke (RT), Elijah Klein, Sua Opeta, Ben Chukwuma**, Jake Majors**, Mike Jordan, Tristan Wirfs (PUP/IR)
OUT: Luke Haggard, Lorenz Metz, Raiqwon O’Neal, Ben Scott**, Tyler McLellan
The skinny: Just like receiver, the final OL jobs will be determined via the preseason games. It’s just about anyone’s guess as to who makes the cut, honestly. I went ahead and threw Sua Opeta in the mix now that he’s back at practice, but even he has an uphill climb as he returns to football after sitting out the last year. Mike Jordan makes it, too, simply because the Bucs need the experience.
Practice squad prediction: Scott, O’Neal, and Haggard end up on the PS.
Defensive line (6)
IN: Calijah Kancey, Vita Vea, Logan Hall, Greg Gaines, Adam Gotsis, Elijah Roberts*
OUT: Mike Greene, C.J. Brewer, Desmond Watson**, Nash Hutmacher**, Dvon J-Thomas**, Eric Banks
The skinny: It was a bit surprising seeing Roberts’ depth chart placement, but it’s an unofficial depth chart for a reason and there could be other reasons why he was listed with the 3s. Either way, he should make the 53 and then Gotsis gets the final nod due to his ability to play 3T-5T.
Practice squad prediction: Green and Brewer.
Linebacker (4)
IN: Lavonte David, SirVocea Dennis, Anthony Walker, Deion Jones
OUT: Antonio Grier Jr., Nick Jackson**, John Bullock**
The skinny: Anthony Walker has yet to come off the NFI list, so that could shake things up by the time final cuts roll around, but he’s still on the 53 as of now. This room is pretty much established, especially since Deion Jones continues to impress. Look out for Jackson and Bullock though – they’ve certainly flashed at times and are building toward a practice squad spot, at worst.
Practice squad prediction: Grier Jr. has flashed enough to where he gets a PS spot.
EDGE/Outside Linebacker (5)
IN: Yaya Diaby, Haason Reddick, Anthony Nelson, Chris Braswell, Markeese Watts
OUT: Jose Ramirez, Warren Peeples
IR: David Walker*
The skinny: Walker tore his ACL and is out for the season, but I don’t think that prompts the Buccaneers to carry six guys on the roster. Braswell has had a great camp, which solidifies what should be a solid four-man rotation on the outside. Watts makes the final cut right now, but that can definitely change before it’s all said and done.
Practice squad prediction: Ramirez.
Cornerback (5)
IN: Jamel Dean, Zyon McCollum, Benjamin Morrison*, Jacob Parrish*, Bryce Hall
OUT: Tyrek Funderburk, Josh Hayes, Kindle Vildor, Roman Parodie**
The skinny: Hall has looked great in camp, which earns him the final cornerback spot. The Bucs are doing so much cross-training, they can pull someone from the safety room depending on what role they need filled, here. That allows them to carry five cornerbacks instead of their traditional six.
Practice squad prediction: Hayes and Vildor.
Safety (4)
IN: Antoine Winfield Jr., Tykee Smith, Kaevon Merriweather, Christian Izien
OUT: Marcus Banks, Rashad Wisdom, J.J. Roberts**, Shilo Sanders**
The skinny: The Buccaneers have Izien listed as a safety, which is why he’s here. He can also fill in at nickel and even outside corner, though, so it’s fair to list him as a general defensive back, as well. Look out for Roberts – he can certainly force his way onto the 53 with a good preseason after a very solid training camp. He’s got just a little more work to do before that happens, though.
Practice squad prediction: Roberts and Sanders.
Specialists (3)
IN: Chase McLaughlin (K), Riley Dixon (P), Evan Deckers (LS)
OUT: Jake Julien, Ryan Coe**
The skinny: This room has been chalk ever since it was put together a few months ago. Unless an injury happens, this will be how things shake out. I think Tez Johnson ultimately wins the punt returner job and Sean Tucker gets the nod at kick returner.
Final Word
The Buccaneers starters are pretty much chiseled out on both sides of the ball, but there are plenty of depth positions up for grabs which makes for an intriguing preseason. The biggest battles to watch will be backup quarterback, the final WR spots, and then the madness that is the offensive line depth. The battle for the final safety spots is definitely worth an honorable mention, too.
We’ll see how everything shakes out starting Saturday against the Titans as the Buccaneers officially begin their march toward what they expect to be a big year.
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