Tampa Bay Buccaneers 53-man roster projection
By Ryan Doyle
Offense
Quarterback – Jameis Winston, Ryan Fitzpatrick, Ryan Griffin (3)
No surprises here. The Buccaneers will keep three quarterbacks on the roster for most of the season. Tampa Bay probably won’t keep a third quarterback while Winston serves his suspension. Leaving just Fitzpatrick and Griffin as their only options for three weeks.
Running back – Ronald Jones, Peyton Barber, Shaun Wilson (3)
Shockingly, both Charles Sims and Jacquizz Rodgers don’t make the final roster in this projection. Undrafted free agent Shaun Wilson has created some buzz around camp.
Wilson should get plenty of carries in preseason games and if he makes the most of his opportunity he can jump the mediocre backs in front of him.
Tight end: – Cameron Brate, O.J. Howard, Anthony Auclair, Alan Cross (4)
The backend of the tight end depth chart is the wild west. Auclair, Cross, Donnie Ernsberger and other UDFAs are in the mix.
Cross and Auclair could be jumped in the preseason but it seemed the Buccaneers really liked his potential. Cross has been with Tampa Bay for a while and the coaching staff will want his veteran presence on special teams.
Wide receivers – Mike Evans, DeSean Jackson, Adam Humphries, Chris Godwin, Justin Watson (5)
The top four at wideout is solidified. The final spot (or two) remains up for grabs. Justin Watson has been one of the breakout players of camp thus far. Although it may be tough for him to get snaps with the talent in front of him, he would be solid depth. Keep an eye out for Bernard Reedy and Bobo Wilson who will also try to sneak onto the final spots.
Offensive line – Donovan Smith, Ali Marpet, Ryan Jensen, Caleb Benenoch, Demar Dotson, Alex Cappa, Evan Smith, Leonard Wester, Cole Gardner (9)
Although the Buccaneers could opt to keep eight offensive linemen, the extra body wouldn’t hurt. Demar Dotson entered camp on the mend and Leonard Wester is also banged up. Extra bodies would allow Tampa to ease them into practice.
Total: 24 players