Roster Bubble: Former second-round pick highlights Buccaneers 2025 contributors who could be cut before the 2026 season
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers added major competition at a lot of key spots over the offseason and it has some 2025 contributors on the roster bubble heading into training camp.
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers roster is in good shape after a strong offseason, which will create plenty of competition at multiple spots.
And, unfortunately, that means some 2025 contributors are currently on the Buccaneers’ roster bubble and might not make the 53-man roster when it’s all said and done.
That’s a good thing, though, because the above hypothetical would mean other players stepped up and impressed more than them. Which, in turn, should provide more quality snaps (and bigger contributions) on a consistent basis.
So, who are the top Buccaneers contributors from 2025 on the roster bubble? Let’s dive in and discuss.
EDGE Chris Braswell
Braswell is easily No. 1 on this list due to a lack of production and a crowded EDGE room.
As it currently stands, Braswell would be EDGE6 if roster cuts were to happen today. The Buccaneers have carried six EDGE players on the roster before, mainly due to special teams reasons. Braswell had a heavy influence on the Bucs’ special teams in 2025, which bodes well in this sense.
However, the game is still too fast for him and with the top-5 guys set at the position, the math could easily force Braswell out of the picture. Especially since his rookie contract contains no guaranteed money.
Special teams is Braswell’s key to making the roster, but there are plenty of new faces that can supplant him there, too. He has to have a good camp – plain and simple.
2025 contributions: 30 total tackles, 1.0 sack, four tackles for loss, and four QB hits. He also added eight special teams tackles. Played in 17 games and logged 283 defensive snaps and 202 special teams snaps.
Chris Braswell’s career stats
Braswell was drafted with the 57th overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft and it’s suffice to say his career hasn’t gone like anyone has envisioned. Below are his stats over the last two seasons:
- Sacks: 2.5
- Forced fumbles: 1
- Tackles for loss: 5
- QB hits: 12
- Total tackles: 48
- Games played: 34
WR Kameron Johnson
Kameron Johnson was a good returner for the Buccaneers last year, but that doesn’t keep him off the roster bubble heading into camp.
That’s mainly because there are two names that could really challenge him in the receiver room. David Sills V has good experience in Zac Robinson’s offense and will play special teams every now and then. But, it’s former quarterback-turned-wide-receiver Garrett Greene that could really make a push.
Plus, the Buccaneers have capable returners in Kenneth Gainwell, Sean Tucker, Keionte Scott, and even Josh Williams.
Johnson is going to have to show he can take the next step or else he will likely find himself on the Buccaneers practice squad or on another team, altogether.
2025 contributions: Four receptions for 64 yards and a touchdown. 13 rushing yards on two attempts. 26 punt returns for 291 yards (11.2 yards per return) and 27 kick returns for 685 yards (25.4 yards per return).
G Luke Haggard
Haggard tried to help the Buccaneers’ interior offensive line navigate the chaos that was the 2025 season. He was OK, especially considering last year was the first time he played actual snaps since entering the league in 2023.
It wasn’t enough to guarantee him a roster spot by any means, though. He’ll have to be better than Dan Feeney, Billy Schrauth, and Elijah Klein if he wants to make the team. There’s also a chance the Buccaneers carry two swing tackles on the 53, which would lessen his chances, even more.
2025 contributions: Appeared in 11 games with four starts. Played 251 offensive snaps and 50 special teams snaps.
TE Ko Kieft
Kieft’s value comes on special teams and the unit was clearly not the same after he went down for the year in Week 3. The Buccaneers re-signed him during the offseason, but that doesn’t keep him off the roster bubble.
The veteran is going to have to show the Bucs that a) he’s back up to speed after last year’s injury and b) he’s still an effective player on special teams. Kieft has never been much of a contributor on offense, but adding a smidgen of that to his overall production would be a huge boon toward making the 53.
2025 contributions: Two total tackles on special teams. Appeared in three games and logged 29 offensive snaps and 65 special teams snaps.
TE Devin Culp
Culp failed to take a step forward in 2025 after showing some flashes in 2024 and that has him squarely on the hot seat heading into camp.
It’s simple for Culp: He has to show a better understanding of the game, in general, and he has to be better than both Kieft and rookie Bauer Sharp. I mean, he played in nearly three times as many games as 2024, but only logged 15 more snaps on offense.
That math doesn’t math and it reflects Culp’s lack of development. There’s no way he makes the 53 if he is unable to grasp Robinson’s offense from the start. Unless there’s a major injury or the other tight ends are woefully underperforming, of course.
2025 contributions: A six-yard touchdown reception and one special teams tackle. Played in 13 games and logged 56 offensive snaps and 110 special teams snaps.