The Tampa Bay Buccaneers put together a promising group of rookies, and that includes their undrafted guys as well. With Shilo Sanders, the son of Deion Sanders, being a part of the undrafted rookies, the safety has become a fan favorite and many are hoping he can ultimately make the team. While he has the chance to do that, he isn’t viewed as the undrafted rookie most likely to make the 53-man roster.
That would be J.J. Roberts, the Buccaneers’ other undrafted safety. In a recent Bleacher Report piece, picking one undrafted rookie likeky to make every team, Brent Sobleski selected Roberts for Tampa Bay. The writer detailed how the rookie safety has already become one of head coach Todd Bowles’ favorite players.
"The ability to get on the head coach's good side is one of the quickest ways for an undrafted free agent to earn a roster spot. Case in point, safety J.J. Roberts already piqued the interest of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers' Todd Bowles.Brent Sobleski (Bleacher Report)
According to Pewter Report's Scott Reynolds (h/t Heavy on NFL), Roberts has "quickly become one of Todd Bowles' favorite new players." Reynolds also mentioned that Bowles "described Roberts as 'intriguing' because of his cornerback-like 'speed' and 'athleticism,' as well as his versatility and his ability to tackle.""
J.J. Roberts named as the undrafted player most likely to make Buccaneers roster
Roberts is a 5-foot-11, 192 pound safety out of Marshall, and he ran a 4.41 40-yard dash at his Pro Day. Between his testing numbers, and the play he put on film during his final years in college, Roberts was considered a possible late-round gem heading into the draft, but he ultimately went undrafted, and the Bucs made it a priority to get him.
Now, since arriving, he has been delivering on expectations, impressing the coaching staff in the spring. However, the real challenge for Roberts, and the rest of the players, starts now in training camp. If the safety can stay on the good side of the coaches with his performances, he will make the 53-man roster.