Bucs' 53-man Roster Projection Before Training Camp: Key injuries open the door for bubble players to make the team
Tampa Bay Buccaneers rookies officially report to camp on Monday, July 21 and veterans report on Tuesday, July 22. The first practice is on Wednesday, July 23.In other words: Training camp has officially arrived.When it comes to the Bucs' roster, there are plenty of undecided spots and new developments, like Tristan Wirfs' injury and Chris […]
Tampa Bay Buccaneers rookies officially report to camp on Monday, July 21 and veterans report on Tuesday, July 22. The first practice is on Wednesday, July 23.
In other words: Training camp has officially arrived.
When it comes to the Bucs' roster, there are plenty of undecided spots and new developments, like Tristan Wirfs' injury and Chris Godwin's rehab update, have added some new questions and potential scenarios to the fold. There's a lot to take in when it comes to projecting how things shake out.
So, with that being said, let's take a stab at a 53-man roster projection before the Bucs hold their first training camp practice on Wednesday.
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, Kyle Trask
OUT: Michael Pratt, Connor Bazelak**
The skinny: The reps are so limited for a QB3 during training camp, it's basically impossible for a guy to make the 53-man roster unless they are a veteran that's been around for a while (think Josh Johnson or someone like that). Therefore, it's highly unlikely Pratt and Bazelak make the roster unless some kind of injury occurs to Baker Mayfield or Kyle Trask.
Practice squad prediction: Pratt ends up on the practice squad.
Running back (3)
IN: Bucky Irving, Rachaad White, Sean Tucker
OUT: D.J. Williams, Josh Williams**
The skinny: From 1-3, the Bucs arguably have the NFL's best running back room, so it's going to be hard for either of the Williams guys to make the 53. Don't count out D.J., though. He turned some heads during OTAs and minicamp and has a very good skill set that could help him have a good enough camp/preseason to where he makes the cut.
Practice squad prediction: D.J. doesn't make the 53, but ends up here.
Wide receiver (7)
IN: Mike Evans, Chris Godwin, Jalen McMillan, Emeka Egbuka*, Sterling Shepard, Tez Johnson*, Rakim Jarrett
OUT: Kameron Johnson, Trey Palmer, Dennis Houston, Ryan Miller, Garrett Greene**
The skinny: I have a strong feeling that Godwin is placed on PUP when veterans report on Tuesday. Either way, the slow pace of his recovery will force the Bucs to carry an extra wideout in case he goes on PUP or starts the year on IR once cutdown day arrives. The Bucs take Jarrett over Palmer because he's a better player, ultimately.
Practice squad prediction: Palmer gets demoted. Johnson is added, too.
Tight end (4)
IN: Cade Otton, Payne Durham, Ko Kieft, Devin Culp
OUT: Tanner Taula
The skinny: Culp is poised to rise up the ranks this year and he can easily find himself a camp darling by this time next week. Otton's and Durham's roles are solidified. Watch out for Kieft, thought. He could miss the final cut, but I think he's safe, for now. A bad or stale camp can quickly change that.
Practice squad prediction: Taula gets the nod.
Offensive line (10)
IN: Tristan Wirfs (LT), Ben Bredeson (LG), Graham Barton (C), Cody Mauch (RG), Luke Goedeke (RT), Charlie Heck, Elijah Klein, Sua Opeta, Silas Dzansi, Ben Chukwuma**
OUT: Garrett Greenfield, Luke Haggard, Lorenz Metz, Raiqwon O'Neal, Ben Scott**, Jake Majors**
The skinny: Wirfs' injury opens the door for guys like Dzansi and Chukwuma to make the team. The Bucs will be in a bad spot at tackle if Wirfs misses an early portion of the regular season and then Heck or even Luke Goedeke go down with injury. Therefore, I have both Dzansi and Chukwuma making the team. I'm not sold on Jake Majors making the team just yet, as the Bucs can slide Bredeson over to center and have Klein step up if something where to happen to Barton. Klein has also been cross-training at center, himself. Right now, tackle depth is the bigger priority.
Practice squad prediction: Majors and O'Neal land at this spot.
Defensive line (5)
IN: Calijah Kancey, Vita Vea, Logan Hall, Greg Gaines, Elijah Roberts*
OUT: Mike Greene, Adam Gotsis, C.J. Brewer, Desmond Watson**, Nash Hutmacher**, Dvon J-Thomas**, Eric Banks
The skinny: Roberts should be able to snag the final roster spot behind Gaines, but Greene and Brewer have made plenty of waves over the last couple of camps/preseasons to where they are serious contenders. In all, the Bucs defensive line has the potential to be a difference-making unit if everyone stays healthy.
Practice squad prediction: Greene and Brewer.
Linebacker (4)
IN: Lavonte David, SirVocea Dennis, Anthony Walker, Deion Jones
OUT: Antonio Grier Jr., Nick Jackson**, John Bullock**
The skinny: Todd Bowles said a while back that he thinks the linebacker group has the best depth on defense, which is a huge contrast from last year. With that being said, this group should be locked up when considering Walker's experience and what Jones was able to do in a small role last year, on top of his athleticism and pedigree as a former first-round pick.
Practice squad prediction: The team likes Grier Jr. and he tends to make plays during camp and the preseason, so we'll put him here.
EDGE/Outside Linebacker (6)
IN: Yaya Diaby, Haason Reddick, Anthony Nelson, Chris Braswell, David Walker*, Markeese Watts
OUT: Jose Ramirez, Warren Peeples
The skinny: Ramirez or Watts will get the final spot and it's honestly a toss-up between the two. The team really likes both guys, as well. Right now, I'd give the nod to Watts. We also don't know the full extent of Walker's injury that held him out of a portion of OTAs and all of minicamp, which could easily prompt the Bucs to carry an extra rusher just in case. Update: FOX Sports' Greg Auman reported Walker should be ready to go when practice starts Wednesday.
Practice squad prediction: Ramirez.
Cornerback (6)
IN: Jamel Dean, Zyon McCollum, Benjamin Morrison*, Jacob Parrish*, Bryce Hall Christian Izien
OUT: Tyrek Funderburk, Josh Hayes, Kindle Vildor, Roman Parodie**
The skinny: The Bucs are doing a lot of cross-training in the secondary this offseason. So when you see a name like Izien's at corner, keep in mind he could move over to safety when needed. The same goes for whenever you see Tykee Smith's name in the upcoming safety box.
Practice squad prediction: Hayes and Funderburk.
Safety (3)
IN: Antoine Winfield Jr., Tykee Smith, Kaevon Merriweather
OUT: Marcus Banks, Rashad Wisdom, J.J. Roberts**, Shilo Sanders**
The skinny: The Bucs wouldn't have just three safeties in this situation, as Christian Izien can step in and play the role. Smith's move to safety will be a storyline to monitor all throughout camp. Don't count out Sanders, either. A strong camp can definitely earn him a roster spot, but right now I'd say he's on the bubble.
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: Dixon was added in the offseason and unless McLaughlin has a Jake Camarda-like fallout over the summer, this room is set and ready to go.
Final Word
Godwin's and Wirfs' injuries complicate things to a certain degree, mostly because at the time of this publication, they haven't been added to the PUP just yet. If the Bucs add them to the PUP it doesn't mean they're going to miss Week 1, either. The only way that happens is if they're placed on the designated short-term IR list on cutdown day or if they're placed on the reserve/PUP after cutdown day.
Regardless, those two injuries open the door for some bubble guys like Rakim Jarrett and Ben Chukwuma/Silas Dzansi to make the team, right now. That could very well change once Wirfs and Godwin start practicing, but that's currently an unknown and hard to project without the correct information.
On defense, it's really about the depth, as well. If guys like Benjamin Morrison, Jacob Parrish, and Elijah Roberts make solid contributions, the Bucs defense is going to be in very good shape and can stay afloat if another rash of injuries occur.
And we'll get a good idea of where all that stands during camp. The Bucs have one of the most talented rosters in the league and they can really make a name for themselves if they get off on the right foot.
That all starts this week.