Buccaneers: At the wire final 53-man roster prediction
By Cory Kinnan
Offensive line
Donovan Smith
After a $13 million annual raise this offseason, there is little doubt surrounding former second rounder Donovan Smith. While his performance has been shaky to say the least, the Buccaneers have too much guaranteed money committed to Smith to move on from him and he has never missed a game in his career, proving to be a consistent presence for the team.
Ali Marpet
One of the more underrated players around the league and the best linemen in the offensive trenches for the Buccaneers, Ali Marpet is not going anywhere anytime soon.
Ryan Jensen
Ryan Jensen is also safe for at least this year, but is in need of a bounce back 2019 campaign. The Buccaneers gave Jensen a four year, $40 million deal last offseason, but his guaranteed money dries up after this season, so the Buccaneers can move on if his play does not improve in 2019.
Alex Cappa
The biggest question mark on the entire roster, Alex Cappa looks to have run away with the right guard battle, for better or for worse. A third rounder from a year ago, Cappa has seen every first team rep at right guard for the Buccaneers from the start of training camp until now.
Demar Dotson
While it is likely his last season in Tampa Bay, Demar Dotson is a solid presence along the Buccaneers’ front five. The longest tenured Buccaneer looks to play out the last year of his contract in Tampa Bay before moving on elsewhere next year or potentially hanging up his cleats.
Earl Watford
The Buccaneers brought in Earl Watford to potentially compete with Cappa for the right guard job, but it appears the journeyman offensive lineman will serve as a versatile depth piece for Tampa. A former pick of Arians back with the Arizona Cardinals, Watford will also serve as a veteran on the field to give the starters some pointers in the system as well.
Zach Bailey
An undrafted rookie out of South Carolina, Zach Bailey is projected to beat out veteran Josh LeRibeus for the backup lineman in the interior of the offensive line for the Buccaneers. Who knows, if Cappa struggles, he could see some playing time with the ones as well.
Caleb Benenoch
After struggling at right guard a year ago, Calebe Benenoch was moved to right tackle and looks to make the team as the Buccaneers’ swing man. The former fifth round pick looks to hang on by a thread a year after being in the starting lineup.