Buccaneers: At the wire final 53-man roster prediction
By Cory Kinnan
Defensive Line
Ndamukong Suh
There is zero chance that Ndamukong Suh misses the cut in Tampa at a position where the Buccaneers have the least amount of depth. He will start and rarely leave the field as the Buccaneers will need Suh to return to his former self if they want to see a significant push up front.
Vita Vea
A first rounder a year ago, Vita Vea will be a vital part of the Buccaneers’ defensive front this season. The Buccaneers are hoping Vea is will be ready to go week one against the 49ers after suffering a knee injury earlier in camp. Vea is projected to take a massive leap in year two, but the Buccaneers will need him to stay healthy for a significant bump in production to come to fruition.
William Gholston
William Gholston is among the more frustrating players on the Buccaneers’ roster, but is more than likely safe due to the lack of depth. After receiving a bump in pay two years ago, Gholston’s production has dropped off the edge of a cliff. Projected to start across from Suh at the other three-tech spot, Gholston hopes a change in defensive scheme will help him produce once again.
Beau Allen
Starting at nose tackle until Vea is healthy, Beau Allen is also safe for a multitude of reason. Allen will provide the Buccaneers a solid rotational piece defensively once Vea comes back into the lineup, and after taking a pay cut this offseason, the Buccaneers will look to keep this team player around.
Jeremiah Ledbetter
Even though he is currently sidelined with an injury, Jeremiah Ledbetter will provide the Buccaneers with some much needed flexibility along their defensive front, an asset too valuable to part with at this point. The bottom part of this defensive rotation could be usurped by potential waiver claims as other teams also cut down to 53 players, however.
Rakeem Nunez-Roches
After a strong showing in the preseason, Rakeem Nunez-Roches is finally hoping to make a name for himself with his third team in five years. Nunez-Roches, too, looks to contribute to the Buccaneers in a rotational fashion, but could lose a roster spot if Licht and Arians add some pieces off of waivers.