We don't know how the chips will fall on the eve of the NFL's 53-man roster deadline. But with the preseason officially in the rearview mirror and training camp wrapping up, there's somewhat of an idea of how it will shake out. All 32 teams have difficult decisions, including the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, who could be saying goodbye to some talented contributors.
Buccaneers star wide receiver Chris Godwin and All-Pro left tackle Tristan Wirfs not starting the season on the Physically Unable to Perform (PUP) list is great. However, since neither is expected to be ready for Week 1, it complicates matters. Subsequently, Tampa Bay has two fewer spots up for grabs, which could squeeze a few veterans out of their jobs.
Like the rest of the league, Tampa Bay will cut several players between now and 4 p.m. ET on Aug. 26. They also have veterans who could be traded to clear space for other options, or should, at least. It'd be in everyone's best interest if these three Buccaneers were rerouted ahead of the upcoming campaign.
3 Buccaneers who must be traded before it's too late for Tampa Bay
WR Trey Palmer
Tampa Bay's wide receiver room is among the hardest rooms in football to crack. They're not only loaded with top-heavy talent, but they also have intriguing young talent and established reserves. Palmer was once part of the inner circle but seems to be the odd man out right now, even with the uncertainty surrounding Godwin.
Somehow, the rich ostensibly only got richer this spring. The Bucs found their long-term Godwin successor in first-round rookie Emeka Egbuka, who appears ready to make an immediate impact. Nonetheless, seventh-round rookie Tez Johnson has also turned heads this offseason, raising questions about where Palmer fits into the mix.
Johnson's route-running, athleticism and run-after-catch ability have been on full display, punctuated by a strong exhibition final against the Buffalo Bills. We even got to see him execute one of the crisper backflips in recent touchdown celebration memory. His pleasantly surprising emergence, combined with Egbuka's arrival, makes Palmer an expendable asset who can provide value elsewhere.
CB Jamel Dean
Only three clubs allowed more weekly passing yards than the Bucs in 2024 (243.9). Of course, that stat doesn't tell the entire story, considering All-Pro safety Antoine Winfield missed eight games. Nonetheless, it highlights there leaky secondary, which can be seen as an indictment of Dean.
Dean sat out five contests last season too, though that's part of the problem. Availability has been an issue for him since entering the pros; he's been sidelined at least twice annually. The Bucs' patience is wearing thin, hence the selections of cornerbacks Benjamin Morrison and Jacob Parrish in Rounds 2 and 3 of this year's draft.
Morrison, Parrish and ascending fourth-year pro Zyon McCollum are the future at corner for Tampa Bay. Dean will be on an expiring contract in 2026, meaning the time to move him is now if the Bucs want to maximize their return.
RB Rachaad White
Bucky Irving is here to stay and primed to build off his stellar 1,500-plus scrimmage yard rookie year. The Bucs "love" him, and members within the organization believe he's "special enough to warrant a high-volume RB1 role," per Dan Graziano of ESPN. That means receiving work, too, which has been White's meal ticket as he continues to get phased out in Tampa Bay.
Moreover, Bucs head coach Todd Bowles has been voicing a desire to get efficient change-of-pace runner Sean Tucker more opportunities since last season. Undrafted free agent Josh Williams has reportedly impressed in practice. Where exactly is there room for White?
Squads typically carry three running backs. Not to mention, White's been nursing a groin injury this summer. Someone can use his pass-catching chops out of the backfield, just not the Bucs.
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