Buccaneers: Five players in danger of missing the final 53-man roster

No. 4: Jeremy McNichols

No. 4 on this list is one that is completely fixable with a couple of strong performances in games three and four. However, through two weeks of the preseason, rookie running back Jeremy McNichols hasn’t shown much. With the number of running backs on the roster, there isn’t a lot of room for a rookie that still needs to find his footing. The man with the nickname “McWeapon” would certainly be a valuable asset for the offense, but that’s only if he can get things going quickly. If not, he might find himself on another roster this fall.

In the preseason opener, the former Boise State stud ran for 12 yards on two carries. Last week, he went for 32 yards on 11 touches. Those numbers aren’t necessarily bad, but McNichols needs to show a little more in order to justify using a roster spot on a fifth running back. The jobs of Doug Martin, Jacquizz Rodgers and Charles Sims are all safe. Peyton Barber‘s special teams play and his impressive preseason likely make him the No. 4 back. Tampa Bay will have to decide whether or not McNichols’ potential warrants carrying another running back. Martin’s suspension may help his case, but he will still need to show signs of improvement very soon.

In his four years here, general manager Jason Licht has a good track record when it comes to fifth-round picks. Kevin Pamphile (2014) and Caleb Benenoch (2016) are two of his fifth-rounders that are still on the team, while the only one not here is Kenny Bell (2015). McNichols had an illustrious college career and is an exciting prospect, but he needs to prove that here in the next two weeks.