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

Quarterbacks – 3

Bucs QB Jameis Winston – Photo by: Getty Images

QB Jameis Winston
QB Drew Stanton
QB Tyree Jackson
Analysis: The Bucs keep three quarterbacks on the roster as Stanton serves as the veteran backup who knows Bruce Arians’ system and Jackson is the developmental QB that will eventually serve as Winston’s backup.

Running Backs – 5

RB Tevin Coleman
RB Peyton Barber
RB Darrell Henderson
RB Andre Ellington
RB Ronald Jones
Analysis: Arians and offensive coordinator Byron Leftwich like to go to an empty backfield, five-receiver set on occasion and pass-catching backs like Ellington, Coleman and Henderson, who can return kickoffs, can serve in that capacity. Barber, a restricted free agent, will likely be gone after 2019, and Henderson and Coleman would be the primary backs next year unless Jones rebounds from a disastrous rookie year.

Wide Receivers – 5

WR Mike Evans
WR Chris Godwin
WR Justin Watson
WR Bobo Wilson
WR Gary Jennings
Analysis: The Bucs have carried six receivers in the past, but the fact that the team has several pass-catching running backs on the squad and Tampa Bay will run mostly three-receiver sets means it can get away with five receivers. Tampa Bay has two studs in Evans and Godwin, and the Bucs remain high on Watson and Wilson. Jennings is a polished rookie who can come in and play at a high level right away.

Tight Ends – 4

Bucs TE O.J. Howard – Photo by: Cliff Welch/PR

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 Chris Lindstrom
RT Demar Dotson
OL Alex Cappa
OT Max Scharping
G Ruben Holcomb
OT Leonard Wester
Analysis: The hope is that with better coaching, the Bucs offensive line can live up to its potential. Smith is back on a one-year deal, and Lindstrom is added via the draft to start as a rookie at right guard, which is where he played at Boston College. The Bucs are still high on Cappa, who will compete at right guard and right tackle in camp and serve as the backup center, and Scharping is the swing tackle capable of backing up both Smith and Dotson. Holcomb can back up at guard, and Wester is a reserve at right tackle.

Defensive Line – 6

Bucs DT Vita Vea – Photo courtesy of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers

NT Vita Vea
DT Christian Wilkins
DE Will Gholston
DT Trysten Hill
DE Charles Omenihu
NT Stevie Tu’ikolovatu
Analysis: Tampa Bay will move to a 3-4 Under defense under new defensive coordinator Todd Bowles. Versatility is the key for Bucs defensive linemen moving forward, and all of them can play more than one position outside of Tu’ikolovatu, who is strictly a backup nose tackle. Vea (nose), Wilkins (weakside three tech) and Gholston (strongside end) are the starters, with Hill and Omenihu as the reserves. This defensive line is young, agile, powerful, athletic and built to penetrate and get after the quarterback.

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

Bucs LB Kwon Alexander – Photo by: Cliff Welch/PR

ILB Kwon Alexander
ILB Lavonte David
ILB Vosean Joseph
ILB Kevin Minter
Analysis: Alexander and David are the starters in both the 3-4 scheme and in nickel defense. Joseph and Minter are valuable backups. Minter brings experience to the table, while Joseph has speed and hard-hitting ability, but must learn how to cover at the NFL level.

Cornerbacks – 5

CB Kareem Jackson
CB Carlton Davis
CB Vernon Hargreaves
CB Ryan Smith
CB DeVante Harris
Analysis: Jackson is the veteran needed to replace Brent Grimes and bring experience to the secondary. Davis should become more of a playmaker in his second year, while Hargreaves is due for a rebound season if he can stay healthy. Smith and Harris provide quality depth and special teams players.

Safeties – 5

Bucs FS Justin Evans – Photo by: Cliff Welch/PR

FS Justin Evans
SS Tyrann Mathieu
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. Mathieu brings experience, playmaking and leadership ability to Tampa Bay, and has exceled in Bowles’ scheme. Adams is a Deone Bucannon-type player for Bowles, and I would move Whitehead to free safety, as he doesn’t have the size to hold up near the line of scrimmage. Stewart, last year’s second-round pick, is moved to strong safety where his physical style of play can be utilized to mask his lack of speed and athleticism.

Specialists – 3

K Cairo Santos
P Mac Loudermilk
LS Drew Ferris
Analysis: Santos returns as the Bucs’ kicker, while Loudermilk is signed by Tampa Bay from nearby UCF to replace Bryan Anger as the punter and holder, in addition to handling kickoffs. Ferris returns to the Bucs after a stint with the Orlando Apollos to handle long-snapping duties as a cheaper alternative to Garrison Sanborn.

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.

Trevor Sikkema’s version of his Bucs Battle Plans For The 2019 Offseason arrives on PewterReport.com on Saturday, followed by Mark Cook’s on Sunday, Matt Matera’s on Monday and Taylor Jenkins’ on Tuesday.