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

Quarterbacks – 3

QB Jameis Winston

QB Mike Glennon
QB Chase Litton

Analysis: The Bucs will need to keep three quarterbacks as long as the spectre of a possible league suspension of Winston looms. Tampa Bay is thrilled to have Glennon back as a strong-armed, experienced backup quarterback, but it’s time for Winston to shine and show he reduce the amount of turnovers he’s had in his NFL career.

Running Backs – 4

SDSU RB Rashaad Penny – Photo by: Getty Images

RB Rashaad Penny

RB Jerick McKinnon

RB Peyton Barber

RB Kalen Ballage

Analysis: Barber, Tampa Bay’s leading rusher in 2017, is the only back that returns from last year, and that’s a good thing. Penny brings explosive ability and speed, while Ballage brings power and playmaking ability on all three downs. McKinnon is a do-it-all veteran that can run and catch and help lead the way for the Bucs’ rookie runners.

Wide Receivers – 6

WR Mike Evans

WR DeSean Jackson

WR Chris Godwin

WR Adam Humphries

WR Bobo Wilson

WR Byron Pringle

Analysis: The top four wide receivers are set in Tampa Bay, and it’s time for Evans to earn his pay raise and for Dirk Koetter and Todd Monken to find more effect and creative ways to get Jackson involved in the game plan. Look for Godwin to steal some of Jackson’s playing time outside and Humphries’ playing time inside. The Bucs like Wilson a lot as a slot receiver and occasional outside target due to his quickness and competitiveness. Pringle makes the team as the 53rd man on the depth chart due to his ability to return kicks and play on special teams.

Tight Ends – 4

TE Cameron Brate

TE O.J. Howard

TE Antony Auclair

TE Alan Cross

Analysis: Last year’s quartet at tight end returns intact and Brate and Howard will continue to challenge defenses down the seam. Auclair is an improving blocker and can do more after the catch than Luke Stocker could. Cross is a full-back/H-back hybrid, who has value on special teams as well as on offense.

Offensive Line – 9

Ravens C Ryan Jensen – Photo by: Getty Images

LT Donovan Smith

LG Andrew Norwell

C Ryan Jensen

RG Ali Marpet

RT Demar Dotson

OL Caleb Benenoch

OT Leonard Wester
OL Alex Cappa
OL Avery Young

Analysis: The Bucs have bolstered the interior of the offensive line with the additions of Norwell and Jensen in free agency, which moves Marpet back to right guard. Dotson is healthy entering 2018, which is also a big contract year for Smith. Benenoch, Wester and Cappa provide quality depth and position flexibility, while Young is a project at right tackle and guard.

Defensive Line – 8

DE Alex Okafor

DE Will Gholston

DT Gerald McCoy

DT Clinton McDonald

DE Noah Spence

DE Marcus Davenport 

DT Nathan Shepherd

DT Stevie Tu’ikolovatu

Analysis: The addition of Okafor, Davenport and Shepherd help remake Tampa Bay’s defensive line and increase the ability of the unit to rush the passer. A healthy Spence also helps, as does bringing McDonald back and having Tu’ikolovatu off injured reserve. More is needed from McCoy, who has seen his sack total dip in each of the last three seasons, and from Gholston, who was a disappointment last year, but he can play strongside defensive end and move inside to provide depth at defensive tackle, too.

Linebackers – 6

WLB Lavonte David

MLB Kwon Alexander

SLB Kendell Beckwith

OLB Shaquem Griffin

OLB Devante Bond
OLB Nigel Harris

Analysis: David and Alexander are two of the fastest and best linebackers in the league, and Beckwith, who can play strongside and middle linebacker, is coming of a good rookie season. Griffin is a speedy playmaker that can play weakside linebacker in a 4-3 or a 3-4 and blitz off the edge. Bond returns to help on special teams and provide depth, while Harris, a former USF standout, wins the final roster spot at linebacker with his speed and ability to contribute on coverage units.

Cornerbacks – 5

Bucs CB Brent Grimes – Photo by: Cliff Welch/PR

CB Brent Grimes
CB Ross Cockrell
CB Vernon Hargreaves III

CB Ryan Smith

CB Danny Johnson

Analysis: The Bucs have some experienced veterans starting outside with Grimes and Fuller. Both are capable of making plays on the ball and creating takeaways. Hargreaves will get one last shot to live up to his draft billing as the team’s slot cornerback, while Smith provides depth outside and helps Tampa Bay on special teams. The playmaking Johnson has the ability to play outside or inside and will be groomed to possibly start in 2019.

Safeties – 5

FS Justin Evans

SS Chris Conte

SS Dane Cruikshank

FS Keith Tandy
S Josh Robinson

Analysis: Evans has star potential and should take a step up in his second year as a starter in centerfield. Conte returns as a stop-gap player at strong safety while the underrated Cruikshank learns the defense adjusts to playing in the NFL. Tandy has veteran experience and special teams value, as does Robinson, who is the Bucs’ special teams captain.

Special Teams – 3

K Patrick Murray

P Bryan Anger

LS Drew Ferris

Analysis: The guess here is that Murray wins the kicking duties again over McCrane, who may land on the practice squad as a safety net. Anger needs to have a bounce-back year in 2018 and Ferris is the current favorite to become Tampa Bay’s long snapper this year.

Did you like my Bucs’ 2018 Offseason Battle Plans? Let me know what you think in the article comments below.

Trevor Sikkema’s version of his Bucs Battle Plans For The 2018 Offseason arrives on PewterReport.com on Wednesday, followed by Mark Cook’s  on Thursday.