Buccaneers vs. Cowboys: 5 players fighting for a roster spot
By Cory Kinnan
DT Terry Beckner Jr.
Another draft pick back in April, defensive tackle Terry Beckner Jr. looks like he is facing an uphill battle to make the final roster for the Buccaneers at another position with no depth. While Beckner has struggled to make an impact this preseason, Rakeem Nunez-Roches and Jeremiah Ledbetter have shown better versatility.
While Ledbetter is still battling a nagging injury, Beckner has a chance to make himself known and put himself in a better position to make the roster. However given his lack of athletic ability, it is a tough ask of the Buccaneers to move Beckner along the defensive front.
In all honesty, defensive tackle is the position most likely to have new faces added to when the other 31 teams around the league begin cutting down their roster, making it even harder for Beckner to make the team in Tampa Bay. After Ndamukong Suh and Vita Vea (currently fighting an injury to be ready week one), the Buccaneers only have Beau Allen and William Gholston with starting experience in the NFL on their roster.
After two knee injuries in college at the University of Missouri, Beckner’s speed and agility is virtually non-existent. Thus far in the preseason, the big boy has recorded just one tackle and one pass defended; the Buccaneers will need to see more out of Beckner tonight to warrant giving him a roster spot.