After back-to-back wins over the Jets and Chiefs to start the preseason, the Bucs will now wrap up their three-game exhibition slate Friday night against the Jaguars at EverBank Stadium. This game isn’t just serving as the end of the preseason for Tampa Bay – it’s also the end of a long week in Jacksonville as the two teams held joint practices Tuesday and Wednesday leading into this preseason-closing contest.

The Bucs enter this one looking to finish off just their third undefeated preseason in franchise history. Their first came in 1983, and the most recent came in 1999. Todd Bowles and Co. started the 2025 preseason 2-0, only to lose the finale to the Bills for a 2-1 finish.

Following Friday night’s game against the Jaguars, Bucs general manager Jason Licht, head coach Todd Bowles and the rest of the Bucs brass will get together in the ensuing 43ish hours to discuss roster cuts. The 90-man training camp/preseason roster must be cut down to 53 players by Sunday at 6:00 p.m., so it’ll be a busy weekend for Tampa Bay’s decision-makers.

But first things first, right? After taking a look at some of the top Bucs to keep an eye on throughout Friday night’s preseason finale on offense, let’s flip over to the defensive side of the ball.

Bucs To Watch In Preseason Week 3: Defense

Bucs OLB Jack Pyburn – Photo by: Cliff Welch/PR

OLB Jack Pyburn – No. 58

Jack Pyburn’s first foray into the NFL world may come to an end Friday night… somehow? In one of the weirder ongoing stories, some players currently on NFL rosters and playing in preseason games may soon be returning to the collegiate ranks with an extra year of eligibility – maybe. The Bucs’ rookie pass rusher – who had two sacks two weeks ago against the Jets – is reportedly intending on returning to LSU if he’s not on a roster come Sept. 1. Tampa Bay doesn’t have a roster spot for him, so Friday is essentially Pyburn’s last chance to make an impression for another team. Otherwise, it’s back to Baton Rouge… apparently?

OLB Mo Kamara – No. 59

On the subject of outside linebackers, Mo Kamara has the inside track to a spot on the Bucs’ practice squad, unless they decide to keep six outside linebackers. At that point, he’d have the strongest case for the OLB6 role. He’s been a force throughout camp and the preseason for Tampa Bay. After registering a tackle for loss against the Jets on Aug. 14, he took it up to another level against the Chiefs last Saturday. He finished that game with three total pressures and a half-sack, playing a big part in what was a fantastic night for the Buccaneer pass rush.

DT DeMonte Capehart – No. 90

The juices were flowing during Tuesday’s joint practice between the Bucs and Jaguars, leading to a couple of scuffles between Tampa Bay’s offense and Jacksonville’s defense. Rookie defensive tackle was right in the middle of one, and while he needs to tone it down a bit to avoid any costly penalties or an ejection, he’ll be looking to bring some fire to Friday night’s game as he gets one more tune-up ahead of his first NFL campaign. The former Clemson Tiger had two assisted tackles and a pressure in his debut two weeks ago, then notched a solo tackle last week. We’ll see what he has in store in his third and final exhibition appearance.

Bucs DL Elijah Simmons Photo by: USA Today

NT Elijah Simmons – No. 92

Prior to camp, the buzz around Jayson Jones far outweighed any that surrounded Elijah Simmons. But it’s Simmons who has had the better showing in August. He didn’t play in the preseason opener, but he was stood out last week. The second-year tackle is known more as a run stuffer than a pass rusher, but it was the latter that popped in that game with two pressures and a solid 71.5 pass rush grade from PFF. Now it’s about marrying that type of performance getting after the quarterback with his bread and butter – stopping the run. It’s a numbers game at defensive tackle, though, so will it matter? Simmons could at least give the team something to think about.

ILB Caden Fordham – No. 46

Caden Fordham has been solid across the board throughout training camp, and given the fact that SirVocea Dennis has had plenty of chances and is currently sidelined with an injury, the rookie out of North Carolina State could cement a spot as the Bucs’ LB4 with another steady performance Friday night in Jacksonville. Tampa Bay may very quietly have found a gem in the 6-foot-1, 223-pound ‘backer, as he blends good, sound fundamentals with a knack for making plays. Don’t be surprised if he forces a takeaway in this game – and don’t be surprised if he makes the 53-man roster.

CB Benjamin Morrison – No. 21

As Pewter Report reported earlier Friday morning, Bucs second-year cornerback Benjamin Morrison will get some snaps in the preseason finale. The 2025 second-round pic missed all of the preseason last year and has yet to feature in either of Tampa Bay’s games this August, but he began easing his way back into practice last week and has fully participated in team drills this week in Jacksonville. Todd Bowles said he’d like for his young corner to see some time against the Jaguars, and it appears that’ll be the case. Getting through the game healthy is priority No. 1, but picking up some live game reps will be extremely valuable for Morrison’s development, too.

Bucs CB Roman Parodie – Photo by: IMAGN Images via Reuters Connect/Kim Klement-Neitzel

CB Roman Parodie – No. 37

How about Roman Parodie? He just makes plays, doesn’t he? After coming to Tampa Bay as an undrafted rookie out of Ohio last year, he made an impression with a 39-yard pick-six in the 2025 preseason opener. He didn’t make the roster and eventually wound up in the UFL, but when injuries hit earlier in camp, the Bucs turned to him again. He’s continued to come through and get his hands on the football, making pass breakup after pass breakup in practice. Then, he had another interception off a tipped pass last Saturday against the Chiefs. Parodie doesn’t have a path to the 53-man roster, but perhaps he’ll stick on the practice squad this time around.

NCB Keionte Scott – No. 22

You’ve really been able to see Keionte Scott come into his own in the last couple of weeks. That’s perfect timing, as he’s been projected to start as Tampa Bay’s nickel cornerback all along and is hitting his stride with Week 1 only a couple of weeks away. He turned in a quietly stellar preseason debut two weeks ago, particularly in coverage, then followed that up with some great play against the run last week. He stepped up to blow up a couple of early Kansas City run plays, and he followed that up with a stellar pass breakup against the Jaguars in Wednesday’s practice. It’ll be a treat to watch him again Friday night.

S JJ Roberts – No. 36

This is a big moment for JJ Roberts, who suffered a season-ending knee injury in a joint practice with the Steelers last August. After making a return to practice this week, could he be set to make his official return to the field Friday night in Jacksonville? Assuming he’s fully cleared, he needs to play to have a chance to remind the Bucs what made him such a promising undrafted rookie throughout last summer. The Marshall product may benefit from the lack of depth the team has at safety, but the preseason finale is his chance to make sure he’s locked into the 53-man roster after a premature end to his 2025 rookie year.