Buccaneers 53-man roster prediction before final preseason game

Wide Receiver (7)

Things were looking pretty set for the Bucs at wide receiver, but a season-ending injury to Russell Gage tossed the room into a bit of chaos.

There were always three locks to make the team, a number that dropped to two when Gage was lost for the year. Mike Evans and Chris Godwin headline the receiving corps, but after that, it's a bit less clear.

It could be argued that the number of receivers locked into roster spots remains at three, even without Gage. Rookie Trey Palmer looks like another Jason Licht draft steal, outplaying his stock as a Day 3 pick and playing like a Top 100 prospect. Palmer has recorded two touchdowns in as many games, both of which were highlight reel plays. He seems to be in line to get the WR3 slot with Gage out and is heading into the season as one the most exciting rookies to keep an eye on.

Outside of the Evans-Godwin-Palmer trio, things are slowly starting to come together. Rakim Jarrett is another of the Bucs undrafted rookies who came to camp with hype and delivered on it, something that appears to have earned him a roster spot. David Moore is a veteran who spent time with Canales in the past, which works in his favor, and Deven Thompkins is a near-lock due to his kick return ability.

The question becomes what the edge of the roster bubble looks like. If the Bucs carry only six receivers into the season it makes the decision much easier, but a seventh slot would be up for grabs among fringe players like Kaylon Geiger Sr., Ryan Miller, and Kade Warner.