Buccaneers: Pre-training camp 53-man roster predictions
By Rob Leeds
Offensive line (10)
Donovan Smith, Ali Marpet, Ryan Jensen, Alex Cappa, Tristan Wirfs, Joe Haeg, Josh Wells, Zack Bailey, Aaron Stinnie, Zach Shackleford
The Bucs will have no choice but to keep as many offensive linemen on the roster as possible. The starters are still the obvious candidates, but the other big names to watch are Joe Haeg and Josh Wells.
Haeg and Wells are the backup tackles, and they could get more playing time than initially thought if Donovan Smith is unable to play in 2020. Haeg looks like the obvious choice for now, but both could be used to help protect Brady.
Defensive line (6)
Ndamukong Suh, Vita Vea, William Gholston, Rakeem Nunez-Roches, Khalil Davis, Patrick O’Connor
The defensive line is also filled with several recognizable faces. The trio that helped to form the best run defense in the NFL is returning, and the only new face to this group is Khalil Davis.
Davis will likely get reps in as a backup to Suh or Gholston, and Rakeem Nunez-Roches is slated to backup Vita Vea at nose tackle, especially at the start of camp where Vea is currently injured.
The Bucs will rely on this depth into the deeper parts of the season, and there are high expectations surrounding this unit going into the year.