Buccaneers’ way-too-early 53-man roster projection: A big decision at QB, a former second-round pick gets cut, plus more
The Buccaneers have wrapped up OTAs and minicamp. Now, training camp is on the horizon. So, let’s go ahead and get a 53-man roster projection in before rookies report on July 27.
We are officially in the dead period for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and the rest of the NFL. Therefore, why not go ahead and churn out an updated, way-too-early 53-man roster projection?
There have been a few developments since the last projection that warrant discussion and could have an impact on what the final product looks like after roster cuts.
So, with all that being said, let’s dive in.
Note: Players with a single asterisk (*) are 2026 draft picks and players with double asterisks (**) are 2026 undrafted free agents.
Buccaneers’ way-too-early 53-man roster projection after OTAs and minicamp
Quarterback (2)
IN: Baker Mayfield, Jake Browning
OUT: Connor Bazelak, Jalon Daniels**
The skinny: The Bucs are set at the top. Mayfield is the starter and Jake Browning should win the No. 2 job, while Bazelak and Daniels land on the practice squad. I was so close to putting Daniels on the 53, as Tampa Bay really likes him and he’s impressed throughout OTAs and minicamp.
I’ll get to why Daniels didn’t make the cut here in just a little bit. Stay tuned.
Running back (3)
IN: Bucky Irving, Kenneth Gainwell, Sean Tucker
OUT: Josh Williams, Kadarius Calloway**
The skinny: This room is chalk. Irving, Gainwell, and Tucker give the Buccaneers a deep, versatile backfield. All three can run, catch out of the backfield, and hold up in pass protection. Kadarius Calloway could make some noise during camp, but it probably won’t be enough to crack the 53.
The Buccaneers clearly favor Williams, still, even after his suspension. Keep an eye on him, too.
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: Sills V is a veteran with plenty of experience in offensive coordinator Zach Robinson’s system, and Rivers Jr. has flashed as an explosive playmaker. Still, the top-6 guys are pretty much set, especially when considering Kameron Johnson’s ability as a returner.
Tight end (4)
IN: Cade Otton, Payne Durham, Ko Kieft, Bauer Sharp*
OUT: Kenny Fletcher Jr. **, Devin Culp
The skinny: Sharp is in the “in” column after the Buccaneers raved about him through OTAs and minicamp. He should edge out Devin Culp for the final tight end spot. Culp showed promise in 2024 but didn’t take the step forward Tampa Bay needed in 2025. He’s a candidate to be stashed on the practice squad.
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: Ok, so here’s where the Jalon Daniels methodology kicks in. The most interesting aspect of the Buccaneers offensive line is the swing tackle competition between veteran Justin Skule and second-year Ben Chukwuma. The Bucs really like both guys and have said they’re open to carrying two swing tackles.
I think the Bucs keep both on the 53, too, which is what edges out Daniels. That’s because Chukwuma started two games last year and played a total of 151 offensive snaps. That’s plenty of tape for a good enough evaluation to where teams will snag him if he’s cut.
That’s not the same for Daniels, who has zero NFL tape on his resume. Therefore, there’s a better chance of stashing Daniels on the practice squad.
I think the Buccaneers choose Haggard over Klein, as he was starting games ahead of the former fifth-rounder last year when the team was having the injury issues along the interior of the offensive line.
Defensive line (6)
IN: Calijah Kancey, Vita Vea, A’Shawn Robinson, Elijah Roberts, Rakeem Nunez-Roches, DeMonte Capehart*
OUT: Jayson Jones, Haggai Ndubuisi, Elijah Simmons, Deshawn McKnight**, Josiah Green**
The skinny: Nunez-Roches isn’t a lock to make the roster, by any means, and his top competition comes in the form of Jones and Simmons. Jones is a massive nose tackle at 6-foot-6, 335 pounds and Simmons flashed on occasion when called upon last year. We’ll see if they can make any waves during training camp.
Linebacker (4)
IN: Alex Anzalone, SirVocea Dennis, Christian Rozeboom, Josiah Trotter*
OUT: Nick Jackson, Javin Wright**, Caden Fordham**, John Bullock
The skinny: It makes sense to have these four guys at the top, but nothing’s guaranteed for Dennis and Rozeboom. Jackson, Wright, Fordham, and Bullock all have a shot if they stand out on special teams, while making plays on the practice field. Those final two linebacker spots will be among the most compelling battles to monitor during camp.
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: This group is basically set, which means Braswell is out. The writing’s on the wall for the former second-round pick, unless he has an exceptional training camp or a major injury occurs. The game has simply been too fast for him and there’s no need to carry six EDGE players/OLBs on the roster.
Cornerback (6)
IN: Zyon McCollum, Benjamin Morrison, Jacob Parrish, Keionte Scott*, Josh Hayes, Chase Lucas
OUT: Kemon Hill, Ayden Garnes**, Damarion Williams
The skinny: The Bucs still need to add help, even if Coach Todd Bowles has said that wouldn’t happen until training camp. If it happens, at all.
The position group would thin out, fast, if an injury to any of the top-4 guys go down for an extended period of time. Hayes is a quality special teamer but not a reliable cornerback, and Chase Lucas has minimal playing time under his belt.
The Buccaneers are praying for good injury luck if they go into the 2026 season with this group currently composed as it is.
Safety (4)
IN: Antoine Winfield Jr., Tykee Smith, J.J. Roberts, Miles Killebrew
OUT: Marcus Banks, Rashad Wisdom, Ja’Qurious Conley**
The skinny: When healthy, the quartet of Winfield Jr., Smith, Roberts, and Killebrew is strong. But the latter two are coming off major knee injuries that typically take about a year to fully recover from. Meaning, Roberts and Killebrew may not be 100% until 2027.
That’s a dangerous proposition if Winfield Jr. and Smith miss any extended time. Marcus Banks and Rashad Wisdom know the system, though they remain practice squad caliber players for a reason. Tampa Bay should seriously consider adding a veteran here because relying on those guys in crucial spots would be risky.
Specialists (3)
IN: Chase McLaughlin (K), Riley Dixon (P), Evan Deckers (LS)
OUT: B.T. Potter**, Scott Daly**
The skinny: It looked like there was going to be competition between Dixon and UDFA rookie Aidan Laros, but the latter was recently cut and Potter was added to the mix.
Potter’s merely a camp leg. There should be true competition between Deckers and Daly, however. Right now, the edge goes to Deckers simply because of his play over the last two seasons.
Final Word
Overall, the Buccaneers roster is in good shape. The starting offense is basically set and there’s a good idea of who will man what positions on defense, even if things aren’t set in stone.
The biggest questions come in the form of depth, mainly in the secondary. In an ideal world, the players in doubt would step up during training camp and ease some of the worry, but that’s obviously not guaranteed to happen.
Regardless, the Buccaneers should return to the thick of the playoff race if the roster stays mostly healthy. That in itself is its own task, as this is the NFL, but the point stands: Jason Licht did a tremendous job of blending team needs with the best players and the final result should be another NFC South crown and a trip to the postseason.