Quarterbacks
Tom Brady, Blaine Gabbert, Ryan Griffin
Almost all signs currently point to the Buccaneers keeping three quarterbacks on their roster. This is obviously one player too many, as Ryan Griffin is not needed at any capacity, but the Bucs will probably keep him on the active roster just in case.
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The spotlight sits squarely on Tom Brady’s shoulders for the time being, and if he goes down, the entire season for the Bucs would be thrust into jeopardy. Gabbert may know the offense, and Arians may like the backup quarterback, but the season lives and dies with Brady’s health.
Griffin could become a casualty of cuts due to the recent signing of Leonard Fournette and the need for the Bucs not to waste certain draft picks, but the smart money is still on him keeping his spot.
Running backs
Ronald Jones, Leonard Fournette, LeSean McCoy, Dare Ogunbowale
Why would the Buccaneers, a team that will throw the football 600+ times in 2020, keep five running backs on their roster? Tampa Bay has far too many vital concerns at other positions that matter to lose a spot to a player that won’t contribute.
Unfortunately, the player that gets the boot from the 53-man roster is rookie back Ke’Shawn Vaughn. Vaughn has been entirely underwhelming during camp despite his third-round draft status, something that should have been expected, and the Bucs don’t have the space to keep a player that won’t contribute.
Jones, Fournette, and McCoy all have the depth and talent to be starting backs on most NFL teams, and Ogunbowale brings a bonus on special teams that Vaughn can’t compete with.
The Buccaneers should try to keep Vaughn on their practice squad for the future, but the odds seem long that he makes the final roster for now.