Buccaneers: Five players in danger of missing the final 53-man roster
By Bailey Adams
No. 3: Leonard Wester
Barring an injury, the Buccaneers have their starting offensive line set. But where the real battles are unfolding are on the second team. One of those is for the backup tackle position, with two second-year players competing for what will likely be one spot. Caleb Benenoch and Leonard Wester came into camp in a battle, but so far, Benenoch is the one making an impression. Yes, he has been called for a few penalties, but he flashed some serious potential in the first two preseason games. The 2016 fifth-round pick replaced Demar Dotson when he went down last Thursday, which is a telling sign of where things stand.
In Wester’s case, he isn’t really doing enough to prove that he deserves the spot over Benenoch. If the Bucs are only going to dress three tackles when the regular season rolls around, it’s hard to make a case for Wester being that third guy. What helps Benenoch’s case, too, is that he played much better when mixing in with the starting group than he did with the twos. Obviously, the third tackle on the 53-man roster will only enter and play alongside the starting line. So the fact that the former UCLA lineman is fitting well with those guys is helping him, while hurting Wester.
Tampa Bay is likely hoping to keep Wester on board with the practice squad. That way, he can continue to develop with the team while also being available to step in if absolutely necessary. That would be the best-case scenario for the team. But for Wester, he needs a big showing in weeks three and four of the preseason to avoid losing out on a roster spot.