Fifty or so Bucs players were fighting for the future of their careers in the team’s third preseason game against the Bills Saturday night. A few of those players did enough to earn their spots on Tampa Bay’s 53-man roster come early next week in a 23-19 loss to the Bills. Here are the Bucs’ most impressive players from the game.

RB/KR Josh Williams

Josh Williams showed his ability to make plays with his second kick return of the game, as he found a sliver of room up the left sideline and accelerated through it for a 39-yard return. Later in the drive that return set up, he took a pass in the flat and made two defenders miss, turning a likely loss into a three-yard gain.

Bucs RB Josh Williams – Photo by: USA Today

Williams hit a second kick return for an impressive gain in the second quarter, finding daylight for a 42-yard gain up the right side of the field. Following that return, he finally got some looks as a running back and just kept impressing. His first drive as a featured back saw him carry the ball eight times for 28 yards, while picking up several tough first downs.

Two runs in particular helped showcase his footwork, as he stopped in the backfield immediately after taking the handoff to allow a penetrating defensive player to fly by him before accelerating through the space vacated by the defender. These runs also put his patience on display, as he was able to allow holes to develop in front of him.

WR Tez Johnson

Tez Johnson was targeted on the first play of the Bucs’ second drive, flowing back on a naked bootleg to the flat and taking a Kyle Trask pass straight up the left sideline for 16 yards and a first down. Later on that same drive, Johnson made a quick break to get hot against a Bills blitz.

He was able to haul in Trask’s pass and once again turn up field for 11 yards and another first down. He followed that up with a fantastic effort on a perimeter screen to make two Bills defenders miss and turn what should have been a loss into a three-yard gain.

There is no doubt that quarterback Kyle Trask feels comfortable with Tez Johnson, as he targeted Johnson eight times, connecting on all eight passes for 58 yards and a touchdown.

Johnson was uncoverable as offensive coordinator Josh Grizzard had him motioning all over the place and flowing against the natural structure of plays on play action to create space. For his part, Johnson created dozens of yards after the catch with impressive acceleration and quick, shifty feet. On his touchdown grab, he made a difficult over the shoulder catch on a lob with a defender on his heels.

DL Elijah Roberts

Elijah Roberts has quietly been one of the most productive pass rushers in the NFL this preseason. He got a lot louder in this game as he burst through the Bills offensive line and onto the scene with a sack late in the second quarter. He bullied his way through the b-gap to take down Bills quarterback Shane Buechele for an eight-yard loss.

Roberts has consistently shown quick feet and fast, powerful hands that could help the team’s second team pass rush provide more of a pass rush this year.

Bucs DT Elijah Roberts – Photo by: USA Today

QB Kyle Trask

Kyle Trask bounced back from an extremely disappointing outing in week two with an efficient and effective performance against Buffalo. He displayed good touch on several throws and showed improvements on naked boots to his left. He found Tez Johnson on multiple plays flowing to his backside.

Most importantly, he came up clutch on third down several times while also finding Trey Palmer over the middle for a first down in the first quarter. The Bucs were 5-of-8 on the money down in the first half with Trask directing the offense.

Bucs QB Kyle Trask – Photo by: USA Today

Trask’s numbers weren’t sexy – he completed 13 of his 17 passes for 93 yards and a score – but he kept the ball out of harm’s way and kept the offense moving forward. That’s what teams want out of its backup quarterbacks.

Bucs Offensive Line

The backup offensive line had perhaps its best showing of the preseason Saturday night. They kept Kyle Trask clean for the majority of the first half, allowing just three pressures on his 19 dropbacks. Rookie left tackle Ben Chukwuma was particularly impressive, shutting out A.J. Epenesa and Landon Jackson through the first half. Right guard Luke Haggard had another solid outing and most likely secured his spot on the active roster for the first time in three years with the team.

Bucs LT Ben Chukwuma – Photo by: USA Today

Even Mike Jordan, who has struggled throughout the preseason working out of position at right tackle, had his best game of the preseason working at left guard next to Chukwuma.

As a run-blocking unit, things were a bit more up-and-down, but there were several plays where they opened up good holes for Williams and helped keep the offense ahead of the chains.

Returner Kam Johnson

Kam Johnson had two crucial drops as a receiver, which juxtaposed against Tez Johnson, solidified the rookie’s position on the 53-man roster. But as a returner, Kam Johnson was electric. He fielded a 62-yard punt in the first quarter and immediately hit the jets while finding a crease for a 22-yard gain. He doubled down on his abilities as a returner in the second quarter with a 57-yard kick return to the Bills’ 38, which would eventually set up a Chase McLaughlin field goal.

Johnson finished the game with an impressive over-the-shoulder catch on a deep corner route, hauling in a hell of a pass from Connor Bazelak.

K Chase McLaughlin

Speaking of Chase McLaughlin, he hit both of his field goal attempts – one from 35 yards and the other from 50 – to remain perfect in the preseason. He added an extra point on his lone try as well.

If he can keep this up for this season, McLaughlin is poised to become the best kicker in Bucs history after just his third season with the team.

Bucs K Chase McLaughlin – Photo by: USA Today

DB Rashad Wisdom

Rashad Wisdom is making the most of every chance he has with a second consecutive strong showing. He recorded five tackles on the night, including a couple near or behind the line of scrimmage. He was decisive and flowed downhill with conviction to make several stops. In coverage, Wisdom was routinely in position to make a stop after the catch while limiting additional yards.