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

Quarterbacks – 3

QB Jameis Winston
QB Ryan Griffin
QB Gardner Minshew
Analysis: The Bucs are gambling with no veteran backup at the quarterback position but are keeping their fingers crossed they can keep Jameis Winston healthy for all 16 games. Tampa Bay signs Minshew as an undrafted free agent and he gives Bruce Arians and staff a developmental player without any pressure of playing any time soon.

Photo by: Mary Holt/PR

Running Backs – 5

RB Darrell Henderson
RB Peyton Barber
RB Andre Ellington
RB Ronald Jones
RB Dare Ogunbowale
Analysis: The Bucs could look to sign a free agent at this position this offseason, but if last year was any indication of the market, the Bucs aren’t willing to overpay. Barber enters camp as the starter but will be pushed by Henderson who will need to earn the trust of the staff quickly.

Wide Receivers – 5

WR Mike Evans
WR Chris Godwin
WR Adam Humphries
WR Justin Watson
WR Bobo Wilson
Analysis: With Humphries back in the fold, the Bucs look to have one of the better wide receiver groups in the NFL. Godwin is expected to have a breakout year without having to share reps with DeSean Jackson, and Evans should continue his assault on Bucs’ receiving records.

Bucs TE OJ Howard – Photo by: Cliff Welch/PR

Tight Ends – 4

TE O.J. Howard
TE Cameron Brate
TE Antony Auclair
TE Tanner Hudson
Analysis: The Bucs typically keep four tight ends, but Arians will be running a lot fewer two tight end sets than Dirk Koetter did. Still, the team needs special teams players and they usually come from the tight end position. Howard is a Pro Bowl-caliber player, while Brate is a starting-caliber tight end in the league. Auclair helps on special teams and in-line blocking and Hudson is special teamer and a developing receiving tight end.

Offensive Line – 9

LT Donovan Smith
LG Ali Marpet
C Ryan Jensen
RG Dru Samia
RT Jonah Williams
G Alex Cappa
OL Caleb Benenoch
OT Leonard Wester
OT Oli Udoh
Analysis: The hope is that with better coaching, the Bucs offensive line can live up to its potential. Smith is back without the worry of a contract year, and Williams and Samia could take over starting roles. The Bucs are still high on Cappa, who will compete at right guard and right tackle in camp and serve as the backup center. Oli Udoh can sit back and learn from the veterans as he develops his game coming from small school Elon.

Bucs DT Vita Vea – Photo by: Cliff Welch/PR

Defensive Line – 6

NT Vita Vea
DT Gerald Willis
DE Chase Winovich
DT Rakeem Nunez-Roches
NT Stevie Tu’ikolovatu
DT/NT Ed Alexander
Analysis: The Bucs defensive line has been revamped but will be built around second-year player Vita Vea. The additions of Gerald Willis, Chase Winovich and Ed Alexander makes this a young, but talented group who will need to grow up in a hurry.

Outside Linebackers – 4

SLB Carl Nassib
WLB Jason Pierre-Paul
SLB Kendell Beckwith
WLB Noah Spence
Analysis: Nassib is the starting strongside outside linebacker in the Bucs’ 3-4 defense and will be the pass-rushing strongside defensive end when the team goes to a four-man front on nickel pass-rushing downs. Pierre-Paul will have the same duties as a weakside outside linebacker in a 3-4 and playing defensive end in nickel defense. If healthy, Beckwith will rotate with Nassib on the strong side in a 3-4, and Spence will back up Pierre-Paul on the weak side.

Inside Linebackers – 4

ILB Kwon Alexander
ILB Lavonte David
ILB Adarius Taylor
ILB Kevin Minter
Analysis: Alexander is back with teammates Lavonte David to form one of the best duos in the NFC, as long as Alexander is recovered from his ACL injury. The Bucs could look to upgrade the position after final roster cuts, but are okay with entering 2019 with this group.

Bucs CB Vernon Hargreaves III – Photo by: Cliff Welch/PR

Cornerbacks – 5

CB Patrick Peterson
CB Carlton Davis
CB Vernon Hargreaves
CB Ryan Smith
CB Javien Elliott
Analysis: An awful unit in 2018, with the addition of Peterson and the return of Hargreaves, the Bucs cornerbacks could be one of the most improved units on the team. Add in Davis’ trial-by-fire in 2018 and the team will look for a big jump in improvement for the former Auburn standout.

Safeties – 5

FS Justin Evans
SS Landon Collins
SS Andrew Adams
FS Jordan Whitehead
SS MJ Stewart
Analysis: The Bucs are counting on Evans to bounce back after a down year in 2018. He can be a big-time playmaker in Bowles’ secondary. Collins will automatically make this group considerably better and expect Bowles to use his safeties in a more aggressive scheme than we saw with Mike Smith. Adams proved he can play in the NFL and he and Whitehead will provide solid depth.

Specialists – 3

K Matt Bryant
P Mac Loudermilk
LS Drew Ferris
Analysis: The Bucs will add another kicker possibly to compete with Bryant, maybe even giving Cairo Santos an opportunity to win the job, but for now, if Bryant is healthy the team believes he can solidify a position that has been undependable since Bryant left. Mac Loudermilk, who is an undrafted free agent punter from UCF, will handle the kick off duties while also replacing Bryan Anger.

What Do You Think?

Did you like my Bucs’ 2019 Offseason Battle Plans? Does it adequately address Tampa Bay’s needs? Which additions did you like best? Let me know what you think in the article comments section below.

Scott Reynolds and Trevor Sikkema have already provided their Battle Plans and Matt Matera and Taylor Jenkins will have theirs on Monday and Tuesday, respectively.