Final Buccaneers 53 man roster predictions: Who makes the cut and who doesn’t?

Wide Receiver (6)

Let’s spare hyperbole: Trey Palmer has been a revelation throughout Bucs training camp.

Palmer has almost certainly locked up the WR3 role after a stellar preseason that saw him reel in two touchdowns on seven catches and 91 yards. He was a sixth round pick for the Bucs back in April but has looked like a Top 100 prospect at every turn, and there’s a ton of hype around him heading into Week 1.

Losing Gage was a blow, but one not nearly as fatal as it could have been. Palmer has stepped up in a big way, but there’s a lot to like about the rest of the Bucs receivers behind Mike Evans and Chris Godwin.

Rakim Jarrett came to camp as a sleeper to make the final roster, something his two fantastic preseason performances all but assures. David Moore was brought in to help assimilate the rest of the offense to Dave Canales’ system, as the two spent many years working together in Seattle. Deven Thompkins will be the Bucs kick returning again this year and could see some more game action with Gage’s reps up for grabs.

The headliners of the group will be Evans-Godwin-Palmer, which is a rather incredible thing to write out given how far the rookie from Nebraska has come. He had potential to be a sleeper this season, but Palmer will slot in as the Bucs third receiver and be in line to breakout straight away.

Keep an eye on guys like Kaylon Geiger Sr., Ryan Miller, and Kade Warner. All three are going to miss the cut, but there’s a high probability that any combination of the trio ends up on the Bucs practice squad after clearing waivers.

Tight End (4)

There was absolutely zero drama with the tight end group in training camp. Cade Otton is the clear-cut starter and the rest of the guys will likely rotate in behind him to varying degrees.

One player to keep an eye on this season is Payne Durham, who projects more as a blocking tight end than a pass-catching weapon but could have an impact on the offense in ways that don’t make it onto highlight reels.