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The Bucs’ first preseason game is in the books with a 24-16 comeback win over the Jets in New Jersey. Tampa Bay will conclude its 2026 training camp with two more weeks of practice, including two joint practices with the Jaguars, and two preseason games – at home against Kansas City and in Jacksonville.

There is still time for players to rise up or fall down the depth chart, but the roster cuts will be here before you know as the Bucs and the other 31 NFL teams must pare their rosters down to the 53 and constitute a practice squad. With that said, here is Scott Reynolds’ Bucs early 53-man roster projection.

Quarterbacks – 3

QB Baker Mayfield
QB Jake Browning
QB Jalon Daniels

ANALYSIS: Mayfield is the team’s franchise QB and is likely headed for the franchise tag next offseason unless he and the team can agree on a long-term contract extension. The team really likes Browning and feels he’s the best backup QB in Tampa Bay since Blaine Gabbert. Daniels forces his way onto the active roster as QB3 after such a dynamic preseason that the team can’t risk cutting him to sneak him on to the practice squad. He would get claimed off waivers. There’s a chance Connor Bazelak winds up on the practice squad again as QB4.

Running Backs – 4

RB Bucky Irving
RB Kenneth Gainwell
RB Sean Tucker
RB Josh Williams

ANALYSIS: Irving and Gainwell are 1A and 1B and will see time on the field together in the Pony package. Both are dynamic in the run game and the pass game. Tucker and Williams give the team quality depth as well as two kick returners on special teams. Tucker brings the speed and Williams runs with authority.

Bucs RB Josh Williams – Photo by: IMAGN Images via Reuters Connect

Wide Receivers – 5

WR Chris Godwin Jr.
WR Emeka Egbuka
WR Jalen McMillan
WR Ted Hurst
WR Tez Johnson

ANALYSIS: This might sound crazy to keep only five receivers on the active roster, but that’s the price of keeping three quarterbacks. Tampa Bay can always stash some quality receivers on the practice squad and elevate them as needed if injuries hit. That’s happened in the past with Sterling Shepard and Ryan Miller. Kam Johnson, David Sills V, Dean Patterson IV, Dennis Houston and Garrett Greene would be among the most likely practice squad candidates, and the Bucs would likely keep three out of that group. Tez Johnson would likely take over punt return duties.

Tight Ends – 4

TE Cade Otton
TE Payne Durham
TE Bauer Sharp
TE Ko Kieft

ANALYSIS: Otton is having a great camp and is the clear-cut starter with Durham, who is in a contract year, entrenched at TE2 for now. Sharp beats out Devin Culp because he’s more physical, a better blocker and better on special teams. Kieft is a special teams ace and brings toughness as a blocker. Culp could wind up on the practice squad.

Bucs TE Bauer Sharp – Photo by: IMAGN Images via Reuters Connect

Offensive Line – 9

LT Tristan Wirfs
LG Ben Bredeson
C Graham Barton
RG Cody Mauch
RT Luke Goedeke
OT Ben Chukwuma
OT Justin Skule
G Dan Feeney
G Billy Shrauth

ANALYSIS: The starters are entrenched, and the Bucs keep both swing tackles due to Wirfs’ and Goedeke’s injury history. Feeney can play guard and center and beats out Elijah Klein due to his experience. And Schrauth, a fifth-round pick, gets the benefit of the doubt as a developmental guard this year. Luke Haggard, Ben Scott and Henry Lutovsky could be practice squad candidates and Paul Rubelt will make the practice squad as the International Pathway Program player with a roster exemption.

Defensive Tackles – 6

DT Vita Vea
DT Calijah Kancey
DT A’Shawn Robinson
DT Elijah Roberts
DT Rakeem Nunez-Roches
DT DeMonte Capehart

ANALYSIS: Vea, Kancey and Robinson are the starters in Todd Bowles’ 3-4 scheme with Roberts, who brings athleticism, and Nunez-Roches, who offers energy and experience, sticking as the primary backups. Capehart, a fifth-round pick, makes the roster due to his size, athleticism and upside. Jayson Jones and Elijah Simmons could be practice squad candidates again this year.

Bucs DTs Elijah Roberts and DeMonte Capehart – Photo by: IMAGN Images via Reuters Connect

Outside Linebackers – 5

OLB Yaya Diaby
OLB Rueben Bain Jr.
OLB David Walker
OLB Al-Quadin Muhammad
OLB Anthony Nelson

ANALYSIS: Diaby and Bain are the unquestioned starters, while Walker is having a phenomenal camp and could ascend to the OLB3 role if he continues to make plays in the preseason. Muhammad brings the ability to rush from the edge or the inside and has a lot of experience. Nelson is a steady hand and can really set the edge in the run game. He’s a Todd Bowles favorite because of his heady play and special teams ability. Jack Pyburn and Mo Kamara could be practice squad candidates as the team moves on from Chris Braswell.

Inside Linebackers – 4

ILB Alex Anzalone
ILB Josiah Trotter
ILB Christian Rozeboom
ILB SirVocea Dennis

ANALYSIS: Anzalone and Trotter will be the Week 1 starters with Rozeboom, a starter last year in Carolina, likely the next linebacker coming off the bench. Dennis, who is entering a contract year, makes the team due to his special teams ability and his experience. John Bullock or Caden Fordham likely have the best chance of making the practice squad as of right now.

Cornerbacks – 6

CB1 Jacob Parrish
CB2 Zyon McCollum
CB3 Ayden Garnes
CB4 Benjamin Morrison
CB5 Keionte Scott
CB6 Pepe Williams

ANALYSIS: Parrish has had a fantastic camp and he and McCollum, who leads the Bucs with three interceptions in practice, will be the unquestioned starters. Garnes, an undrafted free agent, has made plays on the regular and is making the team – possibly as CB3 ahead of Morrison, who has missed the first three weeks and the preseason opener with a hamstring injury. Scott could start at nickelback and will factor on special teams. Williams makes the team over Josh Hayes, and both he and Scott can moonlight as an emergency safety, too.

Bucs CBs Ayden Garnes and Keionte Scott – Photo by: IMAGN Images via Reuters Connect

Safeties – 4

S Antoine Winfield Jr.
S Tykee Smith
S Ifeatu Melifonwu
S Miles Killebrew

ANALYSIS: Winfield and Smith give the Bucs a solid 1-2 punch at safety. Melifonwu was a good addition at the start of camp and he’s a solid, experienced backup. Killebrew is a special teams ace that essentially replaces Josh Hayes. JJ Roberts hasn’t been able to fully return from last year’s ACL injury and is a practice squad candidate along with Rashad Wisdom.

Special Teams – 3

K Chase McLaughlin
P Ryan Dixon
LS Eric Deckers

ANALYSIS: The Bucs‘ special teams battery remains intact with McLaughlin as the reliable, long-range kicker, Dixon as the veteran punter and Deckers as a steady long snapper.