Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Post-draft 53-man roster projection

TAMPA, FL - DECEMBER 18: Quarterback Jameis Winston
TAMPA, FL - DECEMBER 18: Quarterback Jameis Winston
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MIAMI GARDENS, FL – NOVEMBER 19: O.J. Howard #80 celebrates with teammate Mike Evans #13 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers after scoring a touchdown during the second quarter against the Miami Dolphins at Hard Rock Stadium on November 19, 2017 in Miami Gardens, Florida. (Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images)
MIAMI GARDENS, FL – NOVEMBER 19: O.J. Howard #80 celebrates with teammate Mike Evans #13 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers after scoring a touchdown during the second quarter against the Miami Dolphins at Hard Rock Stadium on November 19, 2017 in Miami Gardens, Florida. (Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images)

With the free agency rush and now the NFL Draft in the past, we can look at what the Tampa Bay Buccaneers’ 53-man roster might look like this fall.

I know many fans of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers fall into the same trap every offseason. “This is the year it all comes together. We’re getting back to the playoffs this year.” Sound familiar? I fall victim to it as well. The Bucs are used to successful offseasons, but for whatever reason, they haven’t translated to wins on the field. Could that finally change in 2018?

Tampa Bay appears to have addressed all of its major needs this spring. Despite what seemed like a slow start to free agency in March, general manager Jason Licht came away with a great haul. Then, last weekend, he had what looks like another solid draft class. The trenches got a complete makeover, one that was greatly needed. Thanks to the draft, the secondary also has a new look. And to top it all off, the team brought in who it hopes will be its running back of the future.

The 2018 Buccaneers look great on paper. But it’s only May and the season’s opening kickoff is still four months away. Here, we take a stab at what the 53-man roster could look like this fall.

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