Buccaneers 53-man roster projection: A big shakeup at QB and tough decisions at linebacker lead the way ahead of Jets preseason game
The Buccaneers’ roster is taking shape ahead of the first preseason game vs. the Jets. So, let’s have some fun and predict how everything shakes out in a few weeks.
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are ready to face the New York Jets in the inaugural game of each team’s preseason, which means we will get to see the 2026 roster under the lights for the first time.
Therefore, a new 53-man roster projection is warranted. The last one came out on the heels of mandatory minicamp’s conclusion and there’s plenty to update since mid-June.
We’ll put out a final roster prediction after the final preseason game against the Jacksonville Jaguars. But for now, let’s get clairvoyant and project who makes the 53 before preseason games begin.
Note: Players with a single asterisk (*) are 2026 draft picks and players with double asterisks (**) are 2026 undrafted free agents.
Buccaneers’ 53-man roster projection ahead of the Jets preseason game
Quarterback (2)
IN: Baker Mayfield, Jalon Daniels**
OUT: Jake Browning, Connor Bazelak
The skinny: I’m doubling down here. Before any preseason games are played, I am putting Jalon Daniels down as the Buccaneers’ second quarterback. Daniels has a better athletic profile, skill set, and more upside than Jake Browning and Connor Bazelak.
Plus, Browning is currently hurt, and nothing is guaranteed when you’re not on the field. It remains to be seen how long Browning misses time with his back injury. Daniels has his chance to shine Friday night against the Jets with a lot of playing time, and I think he’s going to take full advantage of it. That momentum will be the start of what should eventually be enough to solidify him as Tampa Bay’s backup quarterback.
Running back (3)
IN: Bucky Irving, Kenneth Gainwell, Sean Tucker
OUT: Josh Williams, Kadarius Calloway**
The skinny: This room is pretty much chalk. Bucky Irving, Kenneth Gainwell, and Sean Tucker form a strong three-man rotation, and each guy can take care of what needs to be taken care of, whether it’s contributing in the passing game, pass protection, or getting the short yardage needed to move the chains and score touchdowns.
All three are capable of doing as much, and it’s going to put Josh Williams and Kadarius Calloway out in the cold. Williams does have a chance to make this roster, though. The Buccaneers’ staff really likes him, but he’s going to have to flash on special teams and show some strong return ability to earn a spot.
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 Jr.**, Dean Patterson**
The skinny: This room is pretty much chalk, too, but don’t be surprised if David Sills V makes a strong push for a roster spot once he comes back. The key is he’s currently dealing with an injury and we don’t know how much time he’s going to miss. The same goes for Tez Johnson, who is having a strong camp but needs to get past a groin injury that’s held him out.
Dennis Houston, Garrett Green, Eric Rivers Jr., and Dean Patterson have flashed at certain times in camp, but it’s not going to be enough to overtake the top six unless Kameron Johnson falls flat on his face. That probably won’t happen.
Tight end (4)
IN: Cade Otton, Payne Durham, Ko Kieft, Bauer Sharp*
OUT: Kenny Fletcher Jr. **, Devin Culp
The skinny: This room is another chalked-up group unless Devin Cullp or Kenny Fletcher Jr. really stand out. The Buccaneers are going to roll with Cade Otton, Payne Durham, Ko Kieft, and Bauer Sharp. Culp is an interesting case because we’ve seen what he can do in a very limited capacity, and it was encouraging.
Fletcher is a super-athletic tight end, but you just haven’t heard enough reports from camp to make you think he’s cracking the final 53.
Offensive line (10)
IN: Tristan Wirfs (LT), Ben Bredeson (LG), Graham Barton (C), Cody Mauch (RG), Luke Goedeke (RT), Justin Skule, Benjamin Chukwuma, Luke Haggard, Billy Schrauth*, Dan Feeney
OUT: Ben Scott, Marshall Foerner, Elijah Klein, Henry Lutovsky**, Paul Rubelt**, Nash Hutmacher
The skinny: This gets interesting because the thought was Tampa Bay would take two tackles on the 53 due to Benjamin Chukwuma’s potential, but he’s really struggled in joint practices against the Jets. You have to wonder if that scares teams off when the time for cuts rolls around to where the Buccaneers can cut him and store him on the practice squad.
I don’t think that’s the case, though. I think Benjamin just had a couple of rough practices. Either way, we’ll see how it all plays out Friday night. Still, this group of 10 is solid overall. Watch out for Henry Lutovsky, however, because he’s got the kind of profile the Buccaneers love on the offensive line.
Defensive line (6)
IN: Calijah Kancey, Vita Vea, A’Shawn Robinson, Elijah Roberts, Rakeem Nunez-Roches, DeMonte Capehart*
OUT: Jayson Jones, Travis Shaw**, Elijah Simmons, Deshawn McKnight**, Josiah Green**
The skinny: This is a pretty chalked-up group, as well. You can’t really see any of the guys currently outside the 53 cracking the roster unless Vita Vea does hold out into the season. If that happens, I can definitely see the Bucs taking either Jayson Jones or Elijah Simmons on the 53. Both are big nose tackles who can man the middle while Vea potentially sits out.
Linebacker (4)
IN: Alex Anzalone, SirVocea Dennis, Christian Rozeboom, Josiah Trotter*
OUT: Nick Jackson, Javin Wright**, Caden Fordham**, John Bullock
The skinny: This is another group worth watching closely. You’ve got veterans like SirVocea Dennnis, Christian Rozeboom, and Alex Anzalone in the mix, then four to five super young, hungry players who can do a lot at the position: Josiah Trotter, Nick Jackson, Javin Wright, Caden Fordham, and John Bullock. We saw last year how Jackson and Bullock made strong pushes for the 53, and Bullock earned his spot because of his special teams play.
It’s a good mix of veteran experience combined with youth, athleticism, and hunger that could definitely take on a new look by the time final cuts roll around.
EDGE/Outside Linebacker (5)
IN: Yaya Diaby, Al-Quadin Muhammad, Anthony Nelson, David Walker, Rueben Bain Jr.*
OUT: Mohamad Kamara, Yasir Holmes**, Chris Braswell, Jack Pyburn**
The skinny: The real question is whether the Buccaneers decide to carry six guys. There is a case for Chris Braswell to make it due to his special teams play. He logged over 200 special teams snaps last year and showed solid promise on that side of the ball. When it comes to depth chart math, though, it doesn’t make a whole lot of sense for Tampa Bay to carry more than five pass rushers, which means Braswell is out.
Cornerback (6)
IN: Zyon McCollum, Benjamin Morrison, Jacob Parrish, Keionte Scott*, Josh Hayes, Ayden Garnes**
OUT: Roman Parodie, Damarion Williams
The skinny: I really wanted to put Damarion “Pepe” Williams on the 53, but depth chart math makes it hard to justify seven cornerbacks without sacrificing elsewhere.
While the Buccaneers do have questionable depth at the position and could use a guy like Williams, I think what they have now is good enough unless people start getting hurt. Zyon McCollum missed Jets practices, and Benjamin Morrison has been dealing with his own injury.
Tampa Bay could very well carry a seventh corner, but that means taking a hit somewhere else. I don’t think this roster is in a spot to limit numbers at other positions.
Safety (4)
IN: Antoine Winfield Jr., Tykee Smith, Ifeatu Melifonwu, Miles Killebrew
OUT: Marcus Banks, Rashad Wisdom, J.J. Roberts, Xavier Williams**
The skinny: I had J.J. Roberts on the initial 53-man roster projection because I figured he’d be ready to go by the time training camp rolled around. That hasn’t been the case. The Bucs are playing it cautiously with Roberts, who tore his knee last year during training camp and has no NFL snaps on film.
Unlike Chukwuma, there’s nothing on tape for teams to evaluate. I think that will allow the Bucs to stash him on the practice squad again because I don’t think a team is going to take a risk on a player who is still recovering from a knee injury and hasn’t even practiced yet this offseason.
Specialists (3)
IN: Chase McLaughlin (K), Riley Dixon (P), Evan Deckers (LS)
OUT: B.T. Potter**, Scott Daly**
The skinny: This is all chalk. Chase McLaughlin is one of the best kickers in the league. I am interested to note that Riley Dixon does not have any competition, and that doesn’t feel right. The Bucs brought in Aidan Laros for a bit but cut him before camp.
Dixon had a really bad year last year, and Tampa Bay should probably bring in extra competition for him. That has yet to happen, though.
At long snapper, Evan Deckers gets the nod simply because of experience and familiarity.
Final Word
Overall, there are not a whole lot of tough decisions to make on this roster, and I don’t mean that in a bad way. You can kind of see how things are laid out heading into these games.
That’s why we’re doing this roster projection ahead of the preseason opener, because things can easily flip on their head over the next three weeks. We’ll be sure to incorporate all of that and weigh it whenever final predictions roll around.
