5 players who must step up for Tampa Bay Buccaneers vs. 49ers

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers enter the 2019 season with the highest expectations they have had in years. Here are 5 players who must play well vs. the 49ers.

The preseason is over, the roster has been cut down to 53, and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers are ready to put a drama-filled offseason behind them as they are set to host the San Francisco 49ers on Sunday at Raymond James Stadium. There was a ton of roster turnover, and the Buccaneers are now rostering just three players over the age of 30 in Demar Dotson, Ndamukong Suh, and Darian Stewart.

With this being said, the Buccaneers are going to need their youngsters to step up as they are fieldding one of the youngest rosters in the league. While it was a highly touted draft class, the majority of them were beat out for starting spots by the veterans; Sean Murphy-Bunting and Jamel Dean were not able to take starting roles from Vernon Hargreaves III, Carlton Davis, and M.J. Stewart, and Anthony Nelson was hurt all camp and was kept from earning a significant role.

However, third rounder Mike Edwards, first rounder Devin White, and fifth rounder Matt Gay are all set to face significant time. Many second year players are going to take the field for the Buccaneers as well on Sunday as they hope to be led out of the basement of the NFC South by first year head coach Bruce Arians.

Here are five players who must step up for the Buccaneers as they hope to get an opening day win in front of their home fans against the 49ers.