FAB 4. Bucs Mock Depth Chart

The Buccaneers aren’t done adding players yet in free agency, and their roster is far from finalized as the team will have the chance to add seven more players in next month’s NFL Draft. But how and where do the free agent additions general manager Jason Licht and head coach Bruce Arians have acquired fit into Tampa Bay’s depth chart?

The Bucs won’t release an official depth chart for some time, but here is PewterReport.com’s best stab at one leading up the 2019 NFL Draft.

BUCS OFFENSE

Quarterback: James Winston / Ryan Griffin / Joe Callahan

Running Back: Peyton Barber / Andre Ellington / Ronald Jones / Shaun Wilson / Dare Ogunbowale

Wide Receiver: Mike Evans / Sergio Bailey

Slot Receiver: Chris Godwin / Bobo Wilson

Wide Receiver: Breshad Perriman / Justin Watson / K.J. Brent

Tight End: OJ Howard / Cam Brate / Antony Auclair / Tanner Hudson / Donnie Ernsberger

Left Tackle: Donovan Smith / Michael Liedtke

Left Guard: Ali Marpet / Ruben Holcomb

Center: Ryan Jensen / Evan Smith

Right Guard: Earl Watford / Alex Cappa

Right Tackle: Demar Dotson / Caleb Benenoch / Cole Boozer

Offense Analysis: The Bucs will likely add another legitimate quarterback to the roster to compete with Griffin for the backup job. If Tampa Bay can’t lure Mike Glennon back to town, the Bucs may wait to see if Drew Stanton, a former Cardinals QB under Arians, gets cut from Cleveland, or the team may turn to the draft and target a player like Buffalo’s Tyree Jackson in the middle rounds. The Bucs really like their running back stable more than I do, yet will likely add another one in the draft – possibly Penn State’s Miles Sanders or Memphis’ Darrell Henderson in the second or third round.

Bucs OL Alex Cappa – Photo by: Cliff Welch/PR

The Bucs are fine at tight end, but could add another developmental receiver in the draft after only adding Perriman while losing DeSean Jackson and Adam Humphries. Adding another speed receiver in the draft like UMass’s Andy Isabella or Ohio State’s Parris Campell or Terry McLaurin wouldn’t be a shocker.

Tampa Bay needs a long-term answer at right tackle behind Demar Dotson, and will likely turn to the draft with a player like Florida’s Jawaan Taylor or Kansas State’s Dalton Risner to provide competition for Cappa and Benenoch as Dotson’s heir apparent. The Bucs also need to solve the problem at right guard, and hope that Watford, Cappa or Holcomb can be the answer for 2019. Boston College right guard Chris Lindstrom is an option in the second round.

BUCS DEFENSE

SAM Linebacker: Carl Nassib/ Shaq Barrett / Devante Bond / Hunter Dimick / Farrington Huguenin

MIKE Linebacker: Deone Bucannon/ Kevin Minter / Riley Bullough / Kendell Beckwith (INJ) / Jack Cichy (INJ)

MO Linebacker: Lavonte David / Emmanuel Smith / Corey Nelson /

WILL Linebacker: Jason Pierre-Paul / Noah Spence / Demone Harris

Defensive End: Will Gholston / Patrick O’Connor

Nose Tackle: Vita Vea / Beau Allen / Stevie Tu’ikolvatu

Defensive Tackle: Gerald McCoy / Rakeem Nunez-Roches / Jeremiah Ledbetter

Cornerback: Carlton Davis / Ryan Smith

Cornerback: Vernon Hargreaves / De’Vante Harris / David Rivers

Free Safety: Justin Evans / Isaiah Johnson

Strong Safety: Kentrell Brice / Jordan Whitehead / M.J. Stewart

Defense Analysis: The Bucs will be in a 3-4 front in base defense with Minter in the MIKE role alongside David, Pierre-Paul and either Nassib or Barrett at the linebacker level. But since the Bucs will be in nickel defense at least 65 percent of the time, Bucannon will get more playing time than Minter will in what becomes the “moneybacker” role in nickel. Nassib and Pierre-Paul shift from 3-4 outside linebackers to 4-3 defensive ends in Tampa Bay’s nickel defense.

Bucs ILB Kevin Minter – Photo by: Cliff Welch/PR

The Bucs have done a good job of addressing linebacker this offseason with the additions of Minter, Bucannon and Barrett and the re-signing of Bond, while losing Kwon Alexander in free agency. The team could use another inside linebacker from the draft, especially with Beckwith’s career in jeopardy and Cichy still recovering from his ACL tear last October. Tampa Bay could also use another pass-rushing outside linebacker as the contracts for Nassib and Barrett expire in 2020, Pierre-Paul just turned 30 and Spence has yet to prove himself as a pass rusher that can be counted on.

Tampa Bay also needs help at the five-technique defensive end spot where Gholston is just an average player and the three-technique defensive tackle spot as McCoy just turned 31 and is in the twilight of his career. A player like Boston College’s Zach Allen would be an ideal upgrade at defensive end, while Clemson’s Christian Wilkins would be the perfect heir apparent to McCoy.

The Bucs secondary needs a veteran cornerback to start opposite Davis and Hargreaves, who is likely better in the slot. Keep an eye on former Jets cornerback Morris Claiborne, who could be targeted in free agency if the price is right, or perhaps former Bengals cornerback Darqueze Dennard. Tampa Bay isn’t done at safety, either and while Eric Berry can’t be ruled out if his price tag is lowered, Washington’s Taylor Rapp might be an option in the second round.

BUCS SPECIAL TEAMS

Kicker: Cairo Santos / Phillip Andersen

Punter: Bradley Pinion / Hayden Hunt

Long Snapper: Zach Triner

Special Teams Analysis: While the Bucs have two kickers currently on the roster, the team is interested in finding a veteran to challenge Santos in training camp. If the price is right, that veteran kicker may be former Buccaneer Matt Bryant, who kicked in Atlanta for the last decade and played for current Tampa Bay special teams coordinator Keith Armstrong.