The Bucs released their first unofficial depth chart on Wednesday, just three days before their first preseason game coming up on Saturday at home. With Tampa Bay bringing back all of their starters and important depth players to the roster, there weren’t many positional rankings that came as a surprise.
One of the areas where many are paying attention to are how the Bucs will split the carries at running back. The Bucs unveiled on the depth chart that Ronald Jones II is listed as the number one, with Leonard Fournette going second.
Again, both backs will get plenty of touches and Fournette has even gotten a lot of the starting reps with the first team offense, so there is still a long way to go before we find out who the opening night starter will be.
Another noticeable placing on the roster came at the backup linebacker role. Rookie fifth round pick K.J. Britt and seventh round pick Grant Stuard are in competition along with Joe Jones to be the fourth string linebacker behind Kevin Minter. As it stands, Britt is the leader in the clubhouse with Stuard and Jones behind him.
There’s a fourth string battle as well at tight end between Tanner Hudson, Codey McElroy and Jerell Adams. While Hudson has been here the longest, it’s in fact McElroy who finds himself at the fourth spot currently with Hudson followed by Adams.
Special teams was a big emphasis for the Bucs during the offseason, and everyone wants to know whether it will be Jaydon Mickens once again as the primary kick returner or fourth round rookie Jaelon Darden taking over the reigns. Right now the Bucs have Mickens as the top guy, but Darden will get opportunities in the preseason.
You can view the entire depth chart of the Bucs’ roster here.