Buccaneers vs. Browns: 4 players to watch closely

DT Terry Beckner Jr.

Another rookie who is on the roster bubble after failing to make much of a contribution this summer is seventh round pick and defensive tackle Terry Beckner Jr. After two knee injuries and some extremely poor testing numbers at the combine, the Buccaneer took a chance on Beckner anyway.

Beckner’s saving grace of making the roster for the Buccaneers may be the lack of depth the team currently has on the roster. With Vita Vea still recovering from his knee injury, the Buccaneers only have Ndamukong Suh, William Gholston, and Beau Allen as viable options in the defensive trenches.

However, as other teams cut down their rosters to 53 players, the Buccaneers are undoubtedly going to add some of those players off the waiver wire. Last year the Buccaneers brought Carl Nassib to Tampa off the waiver wire, and as they look to bolster their defensive line, they are going to need to add some more bodies to that position.

The big guy will get plenty of snaps in this third preseason game to make an impact. It will be up to Beckner to make sure he proves he belongs on the Buccaneers, because seventh round picks are expendable and frequently do not make final rosters.