The Bucs’ preseason finale saw a majority of the starters play for only the first three drives before giving way to the backups. On the way to a 26-20 victory over the Ravens, there was plenty to like in the final game before the regular season begins. Unfortunately, there were a few things that didn’t go the way the team would’ve have liked to see, which makes up this week’s “Most Disappointing.”

Devin White 

The starters only played for three defensive series and for two of them, they held the Ravens’ offense scoreless. However, on the opening drive when Baltimore did score, White was a key factor on the touchdown that was let up. White failed to pick up Laquon Treadwell on the switch, which allowed him to run free and make his way into the end zone untouched for a 24-yard score from former Bucs quarterback Josh Johnson. 

Ke’Shawn Vaughn

With Chase Edmonds out, Vaughn was the second running back in the game for the Bucs and was given the opportunity to stake his claim on the No. 2 spot on the depth chart. However, he wasn’t able to seize his moment, turning out 26 yards on nine carries.

While he did have a long of nine yards, several of his gains were aided by being tackled forward, giving him extra yards. With rookie Sean Tucker breathing down his neck, Vaughn didn’t do anything to solidify his spot as the No. 2 or even No. 3 running back on the roster.

Second-Team Run Defense

The Bucs’ second-team defense struggled mightily to contain quarterback Anthony Brown, who ran for 41 yards on just six attempts with a long of 15 yards. Brown had a healthy average of about seven yards a run, which was outdone by running back Owen Wright. Wright averaged 7.4 yards himself, helping the Ravens’ offense on the ground. He carved through the Tampa Bay defense to the tune of 89 yards and a touchdown on 12 carries, with a long of 38 yards.

Rookie Bucs Vying For Roster Spots

Bucs WR Kade Warner – Photo by: Cliff Welch/PR

There were several players in competition for potential roster spots and even practice squad consideration who failed to impress Saturday night for the Bucs. On offense, three undrafted wide receivers failed to make an impact on the game.  Kade Warner had a key drop on third down that could have helped extend a drive late in the game. Meanwhile, both Ryan Miller and Taye Barber failed to register a catch on the night.

Edge rusher Jose Ramirez had just two defensive snaps and one on special teams and didn’t register a stat after missing the previous game against the Jets. Safety Avery Young, who signed prior to the Jets game, gave up 47 yards on a deep pass to Dontay Demus late in the game, which put the Ravens deep into Bucs territory. Derrek Pitts recorded a tackle on the stat sheet, but in a battle with fellow undrafted rookie Keenan Isaac, he failed to shine.

Second-Year Bucs Looking To Stick

There were several other players who spent time with the Bucs last season on the main roster and practice squad who had their last opportunity of the preseason to make an impression but failed to do so. Players like defensive tackle Deadrin Senat, safety Nolan Turner, defensive lineman Willington Previlon and cornerback Anthony Chesley all recording a tackle on the night, but none of them stood out in their pursuit of a spot on the Bucs’ 53-man roster.

Michael Niese 

Niese was given the chance to play at center with the second-team unit while Nick Leverett was over at right guard, and he didn’t have the best showing. He was responsible for a sack on Kyle Trask in the third quarter when he let his man disengage from his block to take down the backup quarterback.