The Pewter Plank
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Buccaneers: Predicting the final 53-man roster

By Douglas O'Connor

TAMPA, FL - JANUARY 1: Fans watch a military jet flyover during the opening ceremonies of an NFL game between the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and the Carolina Panthers on January 1, 2017 at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Brian Blanco/Getty Images)
TAMPA, FL - JANUARY 1: Fans watch a military jet flyover during the opening ceremonies of an NFL game between the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and the Carolina Panthers on January 1, 2017 at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Brian Blanco/Getty Images) /
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CINCINNATI, OH – AUGUST 11: Vernon Hargreaves III of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers intercepts a pass at the goal line intended for Brandon LaFell #11 of the Cincinnati Bengals in the first quarter of a preseason game at Paul Brown Stadium on August 11, 2017 in Cincinnati, Ohio. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images)
CINCINNATI, OH – AUGUST 11: Vernon Hargreaves III of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers intercepts a pass at the goal line intended for Brandon LaFell #11 of the Cincinnati Bengals in the first quarter of a preseason game at Paul Brown Stadium on August 11, 2017 in Cincinnati, Ohio. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images) /

Cornerbacks: Brent Grimes, Vernon Hargreaves, Ryan Smith, Robert McClain and Javien Elliott

All five of these players are a lock in my opinion. No one from the rest of the group has stood out and I have not heard a whisper about any of them. A few will get practice squad invites but I will get to that later.

Safeties: Keith Tandy, Chris Conte, Justin Evans and J.J. Wilcox

Once again these four players are universally thought of to be locks for the final 53 man roster. The Bucs did carry two safeties on the practice squad all of last year. So look for a few to land there this year as well.

The big question is which of the four will start? The Bucs brought in J.J. Wilcox and drafted Justin Evans but so far it appears Tandy and Conte have outplayed them from the jump. Bucs fans love to hate on Conte, but as it stands, he appears to be the right choice to at least start the season alongside last year’s standout in Keith Tandy.

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