Cook’s “Way Too Early” Projected Bucs’ 53-Man Roster

Quarterbacks – 3
QB Jameis Winston
QB Ryan Fitzpatrick
QB – Ryan Griffin
Analysis: Ultimately the Bucs would prefer to carry just two quarterbacks, but as the team saw last season, one hit on a shoulder (or knee) can change everything. Tampa Bay has a lot of time and some decent money invested in Ryan Griffin as well and really want to see what he is capable in four preseason games this year.

Bucs RB Peyton Barber and QB Jameis Winston – Photo by: Cliff Welch/PR

Running Backs – 4

RB Sony Michel
RB Dion Lewis
RB Charles Sims
RB Peyton Barber/Jaquizz Rodgers
Analysis: The Bucs wanted to come into 2018 with an upgraded running backs stable and they do that with drafting Michel and signing Lewis. Sims, Barber and Rodgers will all compete for the other two running back spots on the roster. But all in all it appears the Bucs will enter this year with three very capable backs who can help the Bucs offense and open up more play action for Winston.

Wide Receivers – 5
WR Mike Evans
WR DeSean Jackson
WR Adam Humphries
WR Chris Godwin
WR Bobo Wilson
Analysis: On paper, the Bucs have what appears to be as good a group of wide receivers as there is in the NFL — on paper. Now it will be up to Jackson and Winston to get on the same page and Evans to develop more consistency. That combined with the continued development of second-year receiver Chris Godwin has Dirk Koetter smiling.

Tight Ends – 4
TE Cameron Brate
TE O.J. Howard
TE Antony Auclair
TE Alan Cross
Analysis: With Brate signed to a long-term deal, and Howard entering his second year, the Bucs coaching staff now will need to figure out a way to utilize their talented tight end group even more in 2018. Auclair improved as the season went along, and that is a good things, as the Bucs saw Brate and Howard miss some time with injuries last year.

Bucs RT Demar Dotson – Photo by: Cliff Welch/PR

Offensive Line – 9

T Donovan Smith
LG Zach Fulton
C Spencer Long
RG Ali Marpet
T Demar Dotson
OL Caleb Benenoch
OL Leonard Wester
OL Wyatt Teller
OL Avery Young
Analysis: As far as offensively, this unit will look the most different in 2018. Different but also much better. Adding Fulton and Long give the line a little more “nasty” and while it may take a little time for them to get used to playing together, by mid-season they should be hitting their stride and become one of the better lines in the NFC, if they can manage to stay healthy.

Defensive Line – 9
DE William Gholston
DE Noah Spence
DE Adrian Clayborn
DE Tyquan Lewis
DE Justin Lawler
DE Will Clarke
DT Gerald McCoy
DT Clinton McDonald
DT Stevie Tu’ikolovatu
Analysis: The Bucs most glaring need isn’t completely corrected in one offseason, but should be considerably better that what we saw last season. The Bucs must stay healthy along the defensive line and will also need for defensive coordinator Mike Smith to get more creative in dialing up pressure, but with the addition of Buckner as coach, and a revamped roster, things are looking up for the Bucs pass rush.

Bucs Linebackers Kwon Alexander and Lavonte David – Photo by Cliff Welch/PR

Linebackers – 6

WLB Lavonte David
MLB Kwon Alexander
SLB Kendell Beckwith
LB Devante Bond
LB Riley Bullough
LB Jeff Knox
Analysis: Not much if anything changes from 2017, and that is okay as the linebacker corps was the most consistent unit for the defense last year. It will be interesting to see if Alexander takes another step forward in his development. The Bucs sure hope so, and if he does, so will the overall performance of the team.

Cornerbacks – 6
CB Brent Grimes
CB Aaron Colvin
CB Vernon Hargreaves III
CB Ryan Smith
CB Javien Elliot
CB Tony Brown
Analysis: It is make it or break it time for Hargreaves, who in his third season needs to show the Bucs the talent they thought they were getting when drafting him with the 11th pick in the 2016 draft. Adding Colvin and bringing back Grimes solidifies the outside, and an improved pass rush should make the cornerback as a whole, look a lot better.

Safeties – 4
FS Justin Evans
SS Derwin James
FS/SS Chris Conte
FS/SS Keith Tandy
Analysis: James and Evans should team up to soon become one of the most feared and respected safety tandems in the NFL. Jameis attitude and presence alone should immediately make this group better and perform a lot more consistently than they did in 2017.

Bucs P Bryan Anger – Photo by: Mark Lomoglio/PR

Special Teams – 3
K Chris Boswell
P Bryan Anger
LS Drew Farris
Analysis: If anything has given Jason Licht for late night trips to the medicine cabinet for indigestion and heartburn that the team’s kicking owes, I would like to know what it is. But finally, with the addition of Boswell and the steady leg of anger, there shouldn’t be any ore sleepless nights.