The first official Bucs depth chart has been released in advance of Saturday’s preseason opener at Cincinnati against the Bengals. The NFL requires all teams to publish a depth chart prior to the start of the preseason games, and this year’s version in Tampa Bay is clearly written in pencil – not pen.

There were a few surprises in the initial Bucs depth chart that we’ll go over as the team begins its final week of practice preparing to face the Bengals on Saturday night. Let’s take a look.

Bucs Depth Chart – Offense

There weren’t too many surprises for the offense on the Bucs depth chart. The most notable is that veteran Robert Hainsey is listed as the starting center over first-round draft pick Graham Barton. The rookie has been splitting starter reps with Hainsey about 50-50 since training camp began, and Barton is expected to be named the starter prior to the start of the regular season once he gets some game experience.

Bucs depth chart – offense

The other surprises affecting two more Bucs rookies involve the running back and wide receiver positions. Jalen McMillan, the team’s third-round pick, has been better and more consistent than second-year receiver Trey Palmer, who is listed ahead of McMillan at WR3. The same could be said about the backup running position as veteran Chase Edmonds is listed ahead of impressive rookie Bucky Irving, the team’s fourth-round pick. Edmonds has only participated in the first camp practice and has been out with an undisclosed injury ever since. Irving will be Tampa Bay’s second-team running back without a doubt once the regular season starts.

Bucs Depth Chart – Defense

There were also a few surprises on the Bucs depth chart when it came to the defensive side of the ball, too. The biggest one is Christian Izien being listed ahead of rookie Tykee Smith, the team’s third-round pick. Izien, who was the team’s starting nickelback last year as an undrafted free agent, has struggled at the start of camp and will be supplanted by Smith, who showed he was more of a heady playmaker at Georgia. Izien will likely be a backup free safety Antoine Winfield Jr. as newcomer Tavierre Thomas is more likely to battle Smith for the starting slot cornerback spot in addition to providing depth at strong safety.

Bucs depth chart – defense

There weren’t many other surprises on the depth chart from the defensive side of the ball. The rest of the Bucs depth chart from the front seven standpoint seems to shake out similarly to what we’ve seen in practice on a daily basis.

Bucs Depth Chart – Special Teams

There is no kicking battle this year with punter Jake Camarda and placekicker Chase McLaughlin having locked up those spots without any competition in camp. But there is a battle for the long snapper duties between older veteran Zach Triner, who helped the Bucs win Super Bowl LV in 2020, and younger prospect Evan Deckers.

Bucs depth chart – special teams

With Tampa Bay waiving Deven Thompkins, last year’s return specialist, there is an opening at kick returner and punt returner this year. Trey Palmer leads rookie receiver Kameron Johnson and Jalen McMillan for the punt return duties, while rookie running back Bucky Irving and second-year back Sean Tucker are the leading kick returners. Johnson and rookie running back D.J. Williams are on the second team at kick returner followed by rookie running back Ramon Jefferson and second-year receiver Rakim Jarrett.