FAB 4. Unofficial Bucs Depth Charts

PewterReport.com had a keen eye on Tampa Bay’s offense and defense during the team’s three-day mandatory mini-camp and has assembled an unofficial three-deep depth chart for the Buccaneers. Keep in mind that there were certain sub packages that had some backups, such as third-down back Charles Sims, playing with the starters, and some second-string players also seeing time on third string, too. But generally speaking, here’s how the Bucs lined up in mid-June:

Bucs Starting Offense
WR Mike Evans
WR Adam Humphries
LT Donovan Smith
LG Kevin Pamphile
C Ali Marpet
RG J.R. Sweezy
RT Demar Dotson
TE Cameron Brate
WR DeSean Jackson
QB Jameis Winston
RB Doug Martin
Notes: There were no surprises with the starting lineup. When the Bucs went to 12 personnel, which is one back, two tight ends and two receivers, Luke Stocker would replace Humphries on the field as the Bucs’ extra tight end and/or lead blocker for Martin. Reserve Alan Cross also saw a few snaps with the starters at fullback in certain packages, as did Sims as a third-down back.

Bucs 2nd-String Offense
WR Chris Godwin
WR Josh Huff
LT Leonard Wester
LG Jarvis Harrison
C Joe Hawley
RG Josh Allen
RT Caleb Benenoch
TE O.J. Howard
WR Donteea Dye
QB Ryan Fitzpatrick
RB Jacquizz Rodgers
Notes: The second-string offense was much more fluid, especially at the skill positions, but Evan Smith also saw time at center and left guard with the second unit, as did Ryan Griffin as the No. 2 quarterback. Sims, Peyton Barber and Russell Hansbrough also saw some time at running back, while Quayvon Hicks and Austin Johnson split time with Cross at fullback. Bobo Wilson, Derel Walker and Freddie Martino also bounced between second and third string at wide receiver. Tevin Westbrook also saw some time at tight end in two-tight end sets.

Bucs 3rd-String Offense
WR Josh Huff
WR Freddie Martino
LT Cole Gardner
LG Jarvis Harrison
C James Stone
RG Michael Liedtke
RT Korren Kirven
TE Tevin Westbrook
WR Derel Walker
QB Ryan Griffin
RB Peyton Barber
Notes: There were no surprises on the third-string unit. The biggest notable is the fact that Barber looks like he’s stating a case to be the third-string running back this year behind Martin and Rodgers. That means that he would be Rodgers’ backup for the first three weeks during Martin’s suspension. Antony Auclair was dealing with a soft tissue injury for part of the offseason, but he split time with Westbrook as the team’s third-string tight end.

Bucs Starting Defense
CB Vernon Hargreaves III
RDE Robert Ayers, Jr.
NT Clinton McDonald
DT Gerald McCoy
LDE Will Gholston
WLB Lavonte David
MLB Kwon Alexander
SLB Devante Bond
CB Brent Grimes
FS Chris Conte
SS Keith Tandy
Notes: With Jude Adjei-Barimah sitting out the offseason with an injury, Javien Elliott drew the starting assignment at nickel cornerback and performed well. Robert McClain also saw time with the starters at nickel cornerback. When Chris Baker was in attendance he was a part-time starter at nose tackle.

Bucs 2nd-String Defense
CB Ryan Smith
RDE Ryan Russell
NT Sealver Siliga
DT DaVonte Lambert
LDE George Johnson
WLB Adarius Glanton
MLB Cameron Lynch
SLB Jeff Knox
CB Robert McClain
FS Josh Robinson
SS J.J. Wilcox
Notes: There were a lot of interchanging parts between the second and third stringers on defense. Channing Ward split time with Lambert at three-tech, and the linebacking corps was very fluid, although Glanton and Lynch saw a lot of snaps with the backups, especially in nickel defense. Elliott and Maurice Fleming saw the most time at nickel cornerback with the second unit. Rookie Justin Evans missed the mini-camp with an undisclosed injury.

Bucs 3nd-String Defense
CB Maurice Fleming
RDE Tavaris Barnes
NT Stevie Tu’ikolovatu
DT Sterling Bailey
LDE Evan Panfil
WLB Cameron Lynch
MLB Riley Bullough
SLB Richie Brown
CB Jonathan Moxey
FS Josh Robinson
SS Alex Gray
Notes: Cody Riggs saw time at nickel cornerback along with Elliott. With rookie linebacker Kendell Beckwith out due to ACL recovery, Lynch saw quite a bit of time at multiple linebacker positions. Of the rookie cornerbacks, Moxey might be the one who is standing out the most heading into training camp.

The big takeaway is that Tampa Bay is much deeper at more talented across the board this year than it was a year ago. The Bucs upgraded the size and depth along the defensive line, and have a host of talented young wide receivers led by Godwin, who will push for some serious playing time as a rookie, and a plethora of capable tight ends. Tampa Bay may lack some experience at the cornerback position, but second-year players like Hargreaves, Smith and Elliott all shined in pass coverage during the OTAs and mini-camp.