The Bucs added plenty of talent to the roster through the 2025 NFL Draft. Tampa Bay spent two picks apiece to acquire wideouts, defensive backs, and pass rushers. As highly regarded as those selections were, they were not the only moves made by the front office.

After the draft commenced, the war room was still hard at work ringing the phones of agents who represented the hundreds of college prospects who went undrafted. The Bucs quickly brought in 15 more players who will have a shot at making the 53-man roster and make just as much of an impact as some of the draftees.

In recent seasons, the team has had players like running back Sean Tucker, wide receiver Rakim Jarrett, defensive back Christian Izien, and safety Kaevon Merriweather not only crack the 53-man roster but play meaningful snaps. That is why it is worth profiling the latest crop of undrafted free agents to identify who might be next.

After starting with the offense, here is a closer look at the defensive additions and the one specialist vying to earn a spot on the team this season.

Bucs 2025 Undrafted Free Agents: Defense

DT Desmond Watson, Florida

Everyone knows Desmond Watson for his size.

I mean, 400-plus pound defensive tackles don’t necessarily grow on trees.

While that may be Watson’s calling card entering the NFL, he is looking to slim down for health and conditioning reasons and is already down from 464 pounds to 437 pounds. Shedding some weight would allow the burly nose tackle to make a larger impact on the field and perhaps be the Tush Push Terminator or even contribute in the Bucs’ backfield.

Florida DT Desmond Watson – Photo by: USA Today

One might think someone of Watson’s size would have trouble staying healthy, but he played in every game for the Gators across the past four seasons. He amassed 63 total tackles, four tackles for loss, and 1.5 sacks throughout that time. How much weight he ultimately loses and what he plays at will the main variable in determining his effectiveness. The best-case scenario for him is making the 53-man roster and spelling Vita Vea when he needs a breather himself. Yet his first goal should be to lose enough weight and play well enough to at least secure a spot on the practice squad.

It’s fun to imagine the possibilities of the two playing together with Vea serving as Watson’s mentor. Watson is athletic for his size (5.95 40-time) and has near superhuman strength (36 bench press reps). He is worth taking a shot on to see how this translates to the next level.

DT Mason Narcisse, Louisiana

Mason Narcisse is the other defensive lineman fighting to earn a spot this offseason. Narcisse spent all five seasons of his collegiate career playing for the Ragin Cajuns, appearing in 62 games. He is a stout player at 6-foot-1 and 303 pounds and uses his frame to outmuscle offensive lineman. His performance took a jump over his last two seasons, recording 43 total tackles in 2023 and 37 total tackles with 3.5 sacks in 2024.

The Bucs have shown in the past they are not afraid to take a chance on developmental defensive lineman, having had Mike Greene and C.J. Brewer make the team and even see playing time in the regular season.

ILB John Bullock, Nebraska

The Bucs surprised many by not drafting an inside linebacker in the 2025 NFL Draft. Shortly after it concluded, they did add one by way of undrafted free agency by signing Nebraska’s John Bullock. Bullock is someone to keep an eye on as he has a real chance to set himself apart.

Former Ohio State WR Emeka Egbuka and Nebraska ILB John Bullock – Photo by: USA Today

Standing at 6 foot and weighing 224 pounds, Bullock was knocked for his size but not for the impact he had on the Cornhuskers’ defense over the past two seasons. He recorded 50 tackles, three tackles for loss, two passes defensed, 1.5 sacks and a forced fumble in 2023. Then he took another jump across the board and recorded 70 tackles, 10 tackles for loss, five passes defensed, four sacks, two forced fumbles and a 35-yard pick-six.

Bullock could prove to be a sneaky find as he competes for a practice squad spot. His 4.63 speed is his strongest athletic trait and he will have the chance to learn from Nebraska legend Lavonte David and the rest of the team’s linebackers this offseason.

CB Roman Parodie, Ohio

Roman Parodie fits the mold of a cornerback that head coach Todd Bowles looks for. Standing 6-foot-1 and 192 pounds, Parodie is not far from being identical in stature to Zyon McCollum (6-foot-2 and 199 pounds). He has the build of Tampa Bay’s No. 1 cornerback, but his athleticism is a touch below. Still, he shined at his pro day back in March.

Parodie played five seasons at Ohio, recording three career interceptions during that time. Those totals do not scream ballhawk, but there is more than meets the eye there. He also had 28 passes defensed, including 12 in 2024. He shows a knack for tracking the football and his playing experience gives him an advantage. Parodie looked his most physical last season, recording a career-high 51 total tackles.

It will take some molding by the defensive coaching staff, but he is a developmental cornerback who could continue to grow on Tampa Bay’s practice squad.

S J.J. Roberts, Marshall

I am going to put it bluntly.

Among the Bucs’ undrafted free agents, I am most excited to watch Marshall safety J.J. Roberts.

After diving deeper into Roberts after the team had him in for an official 30 visit before the 2025 NFL Draft, I was impressed with his production and athleticism and thought he would have been a perfect seventh-round flier. General manager Jason Licht did not even have to use a draft pick to secure him though, and he has a real chance at making the 53-man roster this season.

Here is a bite-size look at him in action:

In 13 games last season, Roberts recorded 94 total tackles, 14 passes defensed, five tackles for loss with one forced fumble and sack. The 5-foot-11, 192-pound safety flies around the field with 4.4 speed and is not afraid to get up and attack the football with a 40-1/2 inch vertical.

He had the highest grade among safeties per Pro Football Focus with a 91.2 defensive grade last season, but what is a bit worrisome is that he allowed 25 of 36 passes thrown his way to be completed, which resulted in him allowing three touchdowns and a 132.4 passer rating. Roberts will need some seasoning making the jump to the NFL and converting pass breakups into picks (he had just three interceptions in 28 starts), but there is still a lot to like about his production and athletic ability.

After getting contributions from undrafted defensive backs Christian Izien and Kaevon Merriweather in recent seasons, he could follow a similar path, but that may mean starting on the practice squad.

S Shilo Sanders, Colorado

Being Deion Sanders’ son comes with plenty of fanfare, both positive and negative. Shilo Sanders has been – to no one’s surprise – the most talked about undrafted free agent the Bucs brought in. Rocking the No. 21 that his dad made famous, the younger Sanders comes into the NFL fighting for a roster spot.

Colorado S Shilo Sanders – Photo by: USA Today

He spent six seasons in college, spending two years apiece at South Carolina, Jackson State, and Colorado. During his time with the Buffaloes, Sanders started to put himself on the map. He recorded 70 total tackles, four forced fumbles, and an 80-yard pick six in 2023, following that up by recording 67 total tackles along with a forced fumble and sack in 2024.

Sanders has shown an ability to make plays, but his ceiling is limited by a lack of explosive athleticism. Still, he landed in one of the best spots to learn and carve out a path in the league. Playing under Todd Bowles and next to Antoine Winfield Jr. and Tykee Smith, among others, will aid his development, but he will need a nice camp to make a name for himself in what is now a crowded secondary.

Bucs 2025 Undrafted Free Agents: Special Teams

K Ryan Coe, California

Don’t worry Bucs fans, Chase McLaughlin’s job is safe.

McLaughlin is one of the best kickers in the NFL, but he will have the chance to get a break with the team adding Ryan Coe.

Coe bounced around during his college career, kicking the football for Delaware, Cincinnati, North Carolina, and California. He made 14 of 22 field goals for the Golden Bears last season, with a long of 54 yards. Coming to Tampa Bay affords Coe the chance to develop, but if the team decides to keep a specialist on the practice squad this season it is a lot more likely to be at punter.