Bucs’ way-too-early 53-man roster projection: Tampa Bay is back on the playoff track after successful free agency and draft stints
Free agency and the draft is over, therefore, it’s time to sort through the Bucs’ new-look roster after all of the additions. Who makes the cut and who doesn’t?
It’s safe to say the Tampa Bay Buccaneers are one of the biggest winners from the 2026 NFL Draft.
The Buccaneers have seven new draft picks in the mix, but they also signed 16 undrafted free agents in order to create more competition and depth over the next few months.
So, now that we’re done, let’s go ahead and lock in a way-too-early 53-man roster projection.
Note: Players with a single asterisk (*) are 2026 draft picks and players with double asterisks (**) are 2026 undrafted free agents.
Buccaneers’ way-too-early post-draft 53-man roster projection with UDFAs
Quarterback (2)
IN: Baker Mayfield, Jake Browning
OUT: Connor Bazelak, Jalon Daniels**
The skinny: Mayfield is obviously locked in as the starter and the Buccaneers added Browning in free agency. I don’t think Browning’s job is locked in like Mayfield’s, however. The Buccaneers like Bazelak’s development and they appear to like Daniels, too, after handing him a $249k contract. This might change in a few months, but right now I’m giving the edge to Browning.
Running back (4)
IN: Bucky Irving, Kenneth Gainwell, Sean Tucker, Owen Wright
OUT: Josh Williams, Michael Wiley, Noah Short**
The skinny: It remains to be seen just how much last year’s camp injury and midseason suspension affected Williams’ momentum with the Buccaneers. They really liked Williams, but the suspension definitely left a dark cloud over him. Short is a very interesting prospect, because he’s a Swiss army knife-type player. He could certainly make a name for himself heading into the season.
Regardless, Wright showed some pop last year and can special teams. That gets him the job, for now.
Wide receiver (6)
IN: Chris Godwin, Jalen McMillan, Emeka Egbuka, Tez Johnson, Kameron Johnson, Ted Hurst*
OUT: Dennis Houston, Garrett Greene, David Sills V, Eric Rivers**
The skinny: The Buccaneers’ receiver room is set with these guys. Hurts brings downfield playmaking ability and size to an already-versatile room. The Bucs can boast one of the NFL’s best receiver rooms if everyone stays healthy.
Tight end (4)
IN: Cade Otton, Payne Durham, Ko Kieft, Bauer Sharp*
OUT: Kenny Fletcher**, Devin Culp
The skinny: Sharp is the first draft pick to boot someone off the 53-man roster in this exercise. Culp didn’t take the step forward many expected last year. Sharp’s special teams experience, along with Ko Kieft’s, is what helps them hold onto their spots.
Offensive line (9)
IN: Tristan Wirfs (LT), Ben Bredeson (LG), Graham Barton (C), Cody Mauch (RG), Luke Goedeke (RT), Justin Skule, Elijah Klein, Billy Schrauth*, Dan Feeney
OUT: Ben Scott, Marshall Foerner, Luke Haggard, Henry Lutovsky**, Paul Rubelt**, Benjamin Chukwuma
The skinny: The starting five are set, it’s chalk. The battle for depth will be interesting, however. Can Chukwuma continue his ascension and surpass Skule as the lead swing tackle? Will Billy Scrauth stay healthy and win a depth job? It’s rare for teams to keep two swing tackles and the Buccaneers really like Feeney.
Right now, I say no to two swings and yes to Schrauth. We’ll see how it plays out.
Defensive line (6)
IN: Calijah Kancey, Vita Vea, A’Shawn Robinson, Elijah Roberts, Rakeem Nunez-Roches, DeMonte Capehart*
OUT: Nash Hutmacher, Jayson Jones, Haggai Ndubuisi, Elijah Simmons, Deshawn McKnight**, Josiah Green**
The skinny: Capehart should be fun to track throughout OTAs, minicamp, and training camp. He brings a powerfull skillset to the table that should complement everyone else. I think Nacho does make it, simply because he brings an energy the Buccaneers defense really needs, mostly.
Linebacker (4)
IN: Alex Anzalone, SirVocea Dennis, Christian Rozeboom, Josiah Trotter*
OUT: Nick Jackson, Javin Wright**, Caden Fordham**
The skinny: The additions of Anzalone and Trotter should boost what was one of the Buccaneers’ worst position groups in 2025. They complement each other perfectly and it’s going to be fun watching Todd Bowles unleash the Pit Bull that is Trotter on opposing offenses.
EDGE/Outside Linebacker (5)
IN: Yaya Diaby, Al-Quadin Muhammad, Anthony Nelson, David Walker, Rueben Bain Jr.*
OUT: Mohamad Kamara, Benton Whitley, Chris Braswell, Jack Pyburn**
The skinny: Man, the Buccaneers’ EDGE room is not only crowded, but deep. The Bucs now have five viable options to rotate in and out of the lineup after drafting Bain Jr.
The Chris Braswell Experiment will come to an end, as a result. The game is still too fast for him and drafting Bain Jr. is the final blow after two seasons in Tampa Bay. It remains to be seen if he’s cut at some point or traded, but one of the two is bound to happen unless one of the above guys goes down with a long-term injury.
Cornerback (6)
IN: Zyon McCollum, Benjamin Morrison, Jacob Parrish, Keionte Scott*, Josh Hayes, Chase Lucas
OUT: Kemon Hill, Ayden Garnes**, Jy Gilmore**, Damarion Williams
The skinny: The Buccaneers have their top-4 guys set after drafting Scott, who can also play safety if needed. Regardless, Hayes’ and Lucas’ special teams experience is what gets them in the door.
Safety (4)
IN: Antoine Winfield Jr., Tykee Smith, J.J. Roberts, Miles Killebrew
OUT: Marcus Banks, Rashad Wisdom, Ja’Qurious Conley**
The skinny: The Buccaneers’ safety depth is questionable with Roberts and Killebrew coming off major knee injuries, so don’t be surprised if one of the guys who are currently out are able to make some strides in the coming months. As mentioned above, Scott can play safety if needed, so the Buccaneers kind of have five different options, here.
Specialists (3)
IN: Chase McLaughlin (K), Riley Dixon (P), Evan Deckers (LS)
OUT: Aidan Laros**, Wesley Brown**
The skinny: The Bucs are bringing in competition for Dixon, who had a bad year in 2025. It’s well-warranted and it’ll be interesting to see just how much Laros, who averaged a tick under 45.0 yards per punt in college (44.9), can challenge him.
I don’t think Brown will be able to snag the job from Deckers.
Final Word
There aren’t too many surprises, here, and that’s fine, because if this ends up as the Buccaneers’ final 53 it means everything worked out like it was supposed to.
The Bucs did a good job of filling holes, upgrading positions, and creating viable depth over the last couple of months. Sure, there are still questions, but they mainly come in the form of will X player take the next step, or, will X rookie become an impact guy in Year 1 (in whatever context/vacuum).
Based on this offseason’s moves, the Buccaneers can definitely be mentioned as playoff contenders, again. Now, it’s all about making that happen on the field.