Jenkins’ “Way Too Early” Bucs’ 53-Man Roster Projection

Quarterbacks – 3
QB Jameis Winston
QB Blaine Gabbert
QB Ryan Griffin
Analysis: It’s the same quarterback room as 2019, but the Bucs are surely hoping for different results. Now in his second year under Arians, Winston must improve his decision making or the gamble could lead to a very dismal outcome for Arians, Licht and Winston himself come next offseason.

LSU RB Clyde Edwards-Helaire – Photo by: Getty Images

Running Backs – 4
RB Ronald Jones II
RB Clyde Edwards-Helaire
RB T.J. Logan
RB/WR: Antonio Gibson
Analysis: While Jones and Logan remain in the backfield from 2019, Barber is replaced by the electric, do-it-all back out of LSU, Edwards-Helaire, while adding another explosive gadget player in Gibson.

Wide Receivers – 6
WR Mike Evans
WR Chris Godwin
WR Nelson Agholor
WR Antonio Gandy-Golden
WR Scotty Miller
WR Justin Watson
RB/WR Antonio Gibson*
Analysis: Mike Evans and Chris Godwin, barring injury, will once again look to show the world why they are one of, if not the, most dangerous receiving duo in the world, but this time there will be a few new weapons behind them in the form of Agholor and the 6-foot-4, small-school product, Gandy-Golden. If Miller can find a way to remain healthy, the upside is endless for this unit. Watson, if he continues to struggle earning a spot in the offensive rotation, will round out the receivers as a productive special teams guy.

*Gibson officially listed at running back on this roster

Bucs TE Cameron Brate and QB Jameis Winston – Photo by: Cliff Welch/PR

Tight End – 3
TE O.J. Howard
TE Cameron Brate
TE Antony Auclair
Analysis: Much like the quarterback position, the room remains the same for the tight ends. And much like Winston, Howard will be looking for a bounce back year where his play on the field comes closer to his potential. Behind Howard, Brate will likely remain a steady producer, especially in the red zone, as long as Winston remains under center.

Offensive Line – 8
LT Donovan Smith
LG Ali Marpet
C Ryan Jensen
RT Andrew Thomas
OT Demar Dotson
OG Alex Cappa
C/OG Earl Watford
OT Josh Wells
Analysis: With Thomas being the key addition to the offensive line and the rest of the line getting another year of play under run game coordinator Harold Goodwin and offensive line coach Joe Gilbert, the unit will desperately look to improve their run blocking efficiency for their new-look running backs unit. The return of Dotson, Watford and Wells will provide ample options as far as depth, should the typically reliable unit of big men up front face missed time due to injuries.

Defensive Line – 6
DE Will Gholston
NT Vita Vea
DT Ndamukong Suh
DT Rakeem Nunez-Roches
DE Jeremiah Ledbetter
DL Marlon Davidson
Analysis: Arians repeatedly emphasized the importance of keeping the front seven together – a unit that led Tampa Bay to the top-ranked run defense in the league in 2019 – and in this battle plan that’s largely been the case, with the exception of Allen being replaced by Davidson on the interior defensive line.

Bucs OLB Shaq Barrett – Photo by: May Holt/PR

Outside Linebackers – 5
OLB Shaquil Barrett
OLB Jason Pierre-Paul
OLB Anthony Nelson
OLB Khazin Daniels
OLB Pat O’Connor
Analysis: Barrett and Pierre-Paul can be one of the most fierce edge duos in the league in tandem with Vea and Suh up the middle, even with Pierre-Paul getting into his 30’s. Daniels and O’Connor will primarily be suited up as rotational players and depth while Nelson looks to stay healthy and continue building on his limited playing time as a rookie in 2019.

Inside Linebackers – 4
ILB Devin White
ILB Lavonte David
ILB Kevin Minter
ILB Jack Cichy
Analysis: White and David are an elite pairing at middle linebacker, two sideline-to-sideline players with a mental and physical edge and big-play ability. Should either be forced to miss time, Minter is a proven veteran who can step in and get the job done while time will only tell what Cichy has to offer the team’s linebacker corps as he looks to avoid the injury bug that has plagued his college and professional career to this point.

Cornerbacks – 6
CB Carlton Davis
CB Jamel Dean
CB Sean Murphy-Bunting
CB Lamar Jackson
CB Mazzi Wilkins
CB Ryan Smith
Analysis: Tampa Bay’s cornerback unit is extremely young but showed in the second half of last season how good they really can be. While much of the emphasis has been on the Bucs’ front seven, the defense will sink or swim with their cornerbacks while they see if the unit continues to progress or takes a step back in 2020. Jackson is drafted for depth while Wilkins looks to continue improving, despite being undersized, and Smith continues to excel on special teams.

Bucs DB Mike Edwards – Photo by: Cliff Welch/PR

Safeties – 5
FS Karl Joseph
S Mike Edwards
SS Jordan Whitehead
S Justin Evans
S D’Cota Dixon
Analysis: The addition of Joseph gives Tampa Bay a high-upside value player for a year while the organization looks to see if Mike Edwards can take another step forward and become a more regular player in Bowles’ defensive rotation. If Evans can finally get healthy and back on the field it would be a huge boost for the unit, but should he continue to experience setbacks that keep him sidelined, D’Cota Dixon will likely be the next man up to take his place.

Special Teams – 3
K Matt Gay
P Bradley Pinion
LS Zach Triner
Analysis: Pinion was a serviceable punter last year and did well on kickoff and holder duties. Gay had his ups and downs after a stellar preaseason, converting 27 of his 35 field goal attempts including five of eight from 50+ yards, and will look to build off of his rookie campaign in 2020. As far as the long snapper position? If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.

What Do You Think?

Did you like my Bucs Battle Plan for the 2020 offseason? Did you like the trades I made? 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.