The Bucs’ depth chart has been adjusted after the team pared its roster down to 53 players. And there are a few surprises.

Granted, the depth chart can change prior to the 2022 season opener at Dallas after the team resumes practices. Just like the 53-man roster can change as possible additions are made view the waiver wire and via trades.

Bucs Depth Chart – Offense

The Tampa Bay depth chart on offense essentially features Scotty Miller as the team’s fifth receiver, which may come as a surprise to some. The Bucs kept seven receivers, and Mike Evans, Chris Godwin and Russell Gage are listed as starters. Julio Jones is essentially the fourth receiver, and he’s lined up behind Evans, who plays the split end (X) receiver. Miller is lined up behind Gage, who replaces Antonio Brown as the Bucs’ flanker (Z) receiver.

The offensive line depth chart is exactly what one would expect, and it still features Pro Bowl center Ryan Jensen as the starter. Jensen will be placed on short-term injured reserve at 4:00 p.m. ET on Wednesday. He can possibly return later this season depending on the status and recovery of his injured knee.

Cameron Brate is listed as the Bucs’ starting tight end over Kyle Rudolph, which may surprise some. But for those closely observing training camp, Brate was clearly the better tight end, as Rudolph has lost a step. Rookies Cade Otton and Ko Kieft are third and fourth on the depth chart, respectively.

Tom Brady is the Bucs’ starting quarterback with veteran Blaine Gabbert behind him and ahead of Kyle Trask. No surprise there.

Leonard Fournette is the starting running back, with Ke’Shawn Vaughn as the No. 2 running back over rookie Rachaad White. Vaughn led the team in preseason rushing and touchdowns (2). Veteran Giovani Bernard is listed as the third-string running back ahead of White, who is fourth.

Bucs Depth Chart – Defense

Defensively, the only surprise among the starters is that Sean Murphy-Bunting is still starting over Jamel Dean opposite Carlton Davis III. Murphy-Bunting has gotten first-team reps all throughout camp and wound up winning that job. Dean broke up more passes, but also dropped a lot of interceptions. Murphy-Bunting didn’t get his hands on nearly as many balls, but keep plays in front of him.

Akiem Hicks, Vita Vea and Will Gholston are listed as the defensive line starters, with Rakeem Nunez-Roches, Logan Hall and Pat O’Connor as reserves. Shaquil Barrett and Joe Tryon-Shoyinka are the starting outside linebackers, with Anthony Nelson and Carl Nassib in reserve.

Pro Bowler Devin White and Lavonte David are the starting Bucs inside linebackers. K.J. Britt is the backup Mike linebacker and undrafted free agent rookie Olakunle Fatukasi is the backup Mo linebacker.

The Bucs are expected to re-sign veteran safety Logan Ryan when Jensen is placed on injured reserve later today. Ryan will back up Pro Bowl starter Antoine Winfield Jr. on the depth chart. Winfield will be the starting free safety in base defense and then move to slot corner in nickel defense. When that happens, Ryan will enter the game and replace Winfield at safety.

Rookie cornerback Zyon McCollum is the team’s fourth-string cornerback despite missing several weeks of practice and the two final preseason games. Dee Delaney is the team’s fifth-string cornerback.

Bucs Depth Chart – Special Teams

On special teams, the Bucs’ specialists remain unchanged from the preseason. Rookie Jake Camarda is the punter, holder and kickoff specialist. Ryan Succop will handle kicks and Zach Triner will be the long snapper for punts, field goals and extra points.

Jaelon Darden is listed as the punt returner and kick returner. He assumed those duties for most of the season in 2021. But Bernard is listed as his primary backup, which is a bit of a surprise. White, who handled kickoffs in the preseason and had a team long of 33 yards, is listed as the third-string kick returner.