INTRO: The Bucs kick off the 2024 preseason on Saturday night in Cincinnati. As I do every August, here’s my best guess at the team’s 53-man roster prior to the start of the exhibition season. I’ll have my final Bucs’ 53-man roster prediction in two weeks prior to the preseason finale against the Miami Dolphins. Enjoy!

FAB 1. Bucs Skill Position Player Predictions

The Bucs have Pro Bowlers in quarterback Baker Mayfield and wide receiver Mike Evans, and Evans and wide receiver Chris Godwin have each had 1,000-yard seasons in the last three years. Tampa Bay is loaded at the skill positions with all-purpose back Rachaad White and three talented rookies in wide receiver Jalen McMillan, running back Bucky Irving and tight end Devin Culp. Starting tight end Cade Otton may be the secret weapon on offense this year as he’s dazzled in training camp.

QUARTERBACKS – 2

Bucs QB Baker Mayfield and WR Jalen McMillan – Photo by: Cliff Welch/PR

QB Baker Mayfield
QB Kyle Trask
ANALYSIS: Unless he absolutely craters in the preseason, the expectation is that Kyle Trask, who is in a contract year, will once again be Baker Mayfield’s backup. The Bucs start the season with two quarterbacks and once again place John Wolford, who has struggled with interceptions despite having a firm grasp of the offense from his three years with the Los Angeles Rams, on the practice squad.

RUNNING BACKS – 3

RB Rachaad White
RB Bucky Irving
RB Sean Tucker
ANALYSIS: The Bucs could certainly keep four running backs, especially if Bucky Irving and/or Sean Tucker wind up as the primary kick returners. Liam Coen is going to be committed to running the ball this year. But running backs are kind of dime-a-dozen around the league and the Bucs could put a fourth runner, perhaps oft-injured Chase Edmonds due to his experience, on the practice squad. Irving is slated to be Rachaad White’s backup and a strong start to camp has Tucker in position to win a roster spot with a productive preseason. The team is interested to see how D.J. Williams and Ramon Jefferson fare in the exhibition games this August.

WIDE RECEIVERS – 7

Bucs WR Kameron Johnson – Photo by: Cliff Welch P/R

WR Mike Evans
WR Chris Godwin
WR Jalen McMillan
WR Trey Palmer
WR Rakim Jarrett
WR Kameron Johnson
WR Sterling Shepard
ANALYSIS: This might seem excessive, but Liam Coen will be running a three-wide receiver set (11 personnel) a great deal and at least five receivers will be active on game day. The top four receivers on the depth chart are set, and the team really likes a pair of young talents in Rakim Jarrett and undrafted free agent Kameron Johnson. Both will also play on special teams – Johnson may wind up as a kick returner – and that gives them the edge over 30-year old Sterling Shepard. The Bucs value Shepard’s experience and his relationship with Baker Mayfield, which dates back to college. But Shepard missed this past week with an injury, and he could be the odd man out on the roster cut due to his inability to factor special teams. Shepard could wind up on the practice squad if the Bucs only keep six receivers and decide to go with four tight ends or four running backs instead.

TIGHT ENDS – 3

TE Cade Otton
TE Payne Durham
TE Devin Culp
ANALYSIS: Cade Otton has made huge strides in training camp and it looks like the chemistry that he has with Baker Mayfield has grown even stronger, especially in the red zone. Payne Durham has made a big leap athletically as he has gained some quickness and is open more often as a result. He looks more like a No. 2 tight end this year. Devin Culp has made his share of big plays in the running game and is a feisty blocker. That should give him the edge over Ko Kieft, who struggles catching the ball. If the Bucs keep four tight ends, Kieft will have to prove he can be dominant on special teams to stick. Having a new tight ends coach and new special teams coordinator may work against Kieft this year.

FAB 2. Bucs Offensive And Defensive Line Predictions

The Bucs should be very strong in the trenches on both sides of the ball. Bucs general manager Jason Licht and head coach Todd Bowles have invested first-round picks in defensive tackles Vita Vea (2018) and Calijah Kancey (2023), left tackle Tristan Wirfs (2020) and center Graham Barton (2024), in addition to second-round picks in defensive tackle Logan Hall (2022), right tackle Luke Goedeke (2022) and right guard Cody Mauch (2023). That’s a lot of talent in Tampa Bay.

OFFENSIVE LINE – 9

Bucs LG Ben Bredeson and RG Cody Mauch – Photo by: Cliff Welch/PR

LT Tristan Wirfs
LG Ben Bredeson
C Graham Barton
RG Cody Mauch
RT Luke Goedeke
C Robert Hainsey
OT Justin Skule
OL Brandon Walton
G Elijah Klein
ANALYSIS: The Bucs could wind up keeping 10 offensive linemen, but these nine seem pretty locked in given the amount of reps they’ve had in camp and how they’ve performed. Veteran newcomer Ben Bredeson seems to have locked down the left guard position unless he suddenly regresses in the preseason. With Sua Opeta’s season-ending knee injury, there isn’t really a true competitor to challenge Bredeson at this time. With a steady and competent preseason, Graham Barton will win the starting center job of Robert Hainsey. Justin Skule will be the swing tackle while Brandon Walton has the flexibility to play offensive tackle and guard. Elijah Klein is a developmental guard who could contend to start in 2025.

DEFENSIVE LINE – 6

Bucs DTs Calijah Kancey and Vita Vea – Photo by: Cliff Welch/PR

DT Vita Vea
DT Calijah Kancey
DT Logan Hall
DT Greg Gaines
DT Eric Banks
DT Earnest Brown
ANALYSIS: No Will Gholston? It’s sad to see, but the guess here is that the Bucs decide to go with a youth movement with their backups this year. Vita Vea is 29 and Greg Gaines is 28 – both have plenty of experience to share with the young defensive tackles, and Vea is a captain and the leader of the room. Logan Hall has made strides in training camp and can spell Calijah Kancey when he needs a breather. If Eric Banks and Earnest Brown perform in the preseason the way they have played in training camp, they can unseat holdovers like Gholston, Mike Greene and C.J. Brewer and earn some roster spots. Banks has been impressive and has seen a few reps with the starters. He’s one to watch in the preseason.

FAB 3. Bucs Inside And Outside Linebacker Predictions

Gone are inside linebacker Devin White and outside linebacker Shaq Barrett – two key members of the 2020 Super Bowl championship team. The Bucs are young, but talented at outside linebacker. And Tampa Bay is looking for players to step up next to Lavonte David and replace White at middle linebacker. K.J. Britt is the front-runner, and he’s entering a contract year.

OUTSIDE LINEBACKERS – 6

Bucs OLB Chris Braswell – Photo by: Cliff Welch P/R

OLB Yaya Diaby
OLB Joe Tryon-Shoyinka
OLB Anthony Nelson
OLB Chris Braswell
OLB Markees Watts
OLB Jose Ramirez
ANALYSIS: The Bucs may very well keep six outside linebackers with the new kick return rule. The back end of this group of edge rushers has the speed and tackling ability to play a big role covering kicks and punts. Yaya Diaby and Joe Tryon-Shoyinka appear to be the starters with veteran Anthony Nelson being the first guy off the bench. Chris Braswell made strides in practice this week and could wind up as a starter by midseason like Diaby did last year. Markees Watts and Jose Ramirez are both coming on strong and could be worth keeping now and in the future, especially with JTS and Nelson in a contract year.

INSIDE LINEBACKERS – 4

ILB Lavonte David
ILB K.J. Britt
ILB SirVocea Dennis
ILB Kalen DeLoach
ANALYSIS: Lavonte David and K.J. Britt are the starters, while SirVocea Dennis will see some time in certain packages, but he has to stay healthy. That’s been an unfortunate issue for him so far in Tampa Bay. DeLoach may win the fourth linebacker job over J.J. Russell if he can star on special teams. He’s fast, athletic and a good blitzer. If Russell sticks as the fifth linebacker, it will be due to his own special teams play, or he could wind up on the practice squad again.

FAB 4. Bucs Secondary Predictions

Tampa Bay’s secondary has undergone a big transformation this offseason. Carlton Davis III was traded to Detroit and replaced by Zyon McCollum. Jordan Whitehead was re-signed and replaced Ryan Neal at strong safety. Rookie Tykee Smith, the team’s third-round pick, looks to be the front-runner for the team’s nickelback job. That’s three new starters in Todd Bowles’ secondary in 2024.

CORNERBACKS – 5

Bucs CB Zyon McCollum and SS Jordan Whitehead – Photo by: Cliff Welch/PR

CB Jamel Dean
CB Zyon McCollum
CB Bryce Hall
CB Josh Hayes
CB-NCB Tyrek Funderburk
ANALYSIS: Jamel Dean and Zyon McCollum are the clear-cut starters, each with a pair of interceptions in camp so far, with newcomer Bryce Hall the first cornerback off the bench due to his experience. Josh Hayes has really come on in practice as an outside cornerback and he’s the top gunner on special teams. Undrafted free agent Tyrek Funderburk has been very impressive and can play outside or in the slot. He’s in line to win the fifth cornerback spot ahead of Keenan Isaac, who may spend another year on the practice squad.

SAFETIES – 5

FS Antoine Winfield Jr.
SS Jordan Whitehead
SS-NCB Tykee Smith
SS-FS Kaevon Merriweather
SS-FS-NCB Tavierre Thomas
ANALYSIS: Antoine Winfield Jr. and Jordan Whitehead might be the best starting safety duo in the NFL. Rookie Tykee Smith has drawn raves in practice in coverage and as a blitzer in the slot. He’s on pace to start at nickelback. Kaevon Merriweather has really made strides from a year ago as a hard-hitting safety. Veteran newcomer Tavierre Thomas is a playmaker who leads the team with three interceptions in camp. He’s cross-training at strong safety, free safety and nickelback, and he’s an exceptional special teams player. Thomas unseats Christian Izien for a roster spot as a result. Izien has struggled in coverage in camp and might wind up on the practice squad unless he shines in the preseason games.

FAB 5. Bucs Special Teams Predictions

The Bucs re-signed Chase McLaughlin after a tremendous debut in Tampa Bay last year. He earned the nickname “Money” McLaughlin – and every penny of his new, three-year deal. McLaughlin teams with punter Jake Camarda, who has Pro Bowl potential, to give the Bucs one of the best special teams units in the league. It will be interesting to see who replaces Deven Thompkins as Tampa Bay’s primary return specialist in 2024.

Bucs ST coordinator Thomas McGaughey – Photo by: Cliff Welch/PR

SPECIALISTS – 3

K Chase McLaughlin
P Jake Camarda
LS Evan Deckers
ANALYSIS: New special teams coordinator Thomas McGaughey inherits a great kicker-punter tandem in Chase McLaughlin and Jake Camarda. In a bit of an upset, Evan Deckers wins the long snapper duties over Zach Triner as Deckers is younger and cheaper.

But wait – there’s more!

I’ve got a new SR’s Bucs Preseason Insider column debuting on PewterReport.com Friday afternoon with some inside scoop prior to the Bucs’ preseason opener at Cincinnati against the Bengals on Saturday night. Don’t miss this column, Pewter People.

Also, here is a link to my latest Pewter Pulse video – Jason Licht’s Secret To Great Bucs Drafts

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