4 Buccaneers on the roster bubble ahead of training camp

As offseason workouts move forward and the 2024 season continues to wear on, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and other teams have had to make tough decisions to their roster. Every year, the NFL sets three dates as deadlines for teams to cut their roster down to specific numbers.

The first deadline this season is Tuesday, August 17, when teams have to cut their roster down to 85 players. Over the next two weeks, teams are required to lower their roster total to 80 players by August 24, and the obvious 53-man mark on August 31.

So far, Tampa Bay has only made one roster cut, parting ways with wide receiver and kick returner Deven Thompkins before he was accused of domestic abuse toward his wife in June. That said, it's worth keeping an eye on these four players and their performances in offseason workouts and minicamp as the roster limit deadlines get closer.

4 Buccaneers on the roster bubble ahead of training camp

Chase Edmonds, RB

Last season, the Bucs' running game ranked near the bottom of the league, with a league-worst 88.8 rushing yards per game and 3.8 yards per carry on 422 attempts. With the signings of offensive linemen Ben Bredeson, Sua Optea, and Justin Skule, and the additions of Graham Barton and Elijah Klein in the draft, Tampa Bay's offensive line is much improved from last year's unit.

As far as running backs go, Tampa Bay enters 2024 with one of the league's underrated duos in Rachaad White and Bucky Irving. In just his second season, White showcased his ability as a true dual-threat running back, posting 1,539 yards and nine touchdowns on 336 touches from scrimmage, all career-highs, while finishing 10 yards short from his first 1,000-yard campaign.

This past draft, Tampa Bay selected Irving in the fourth round, who was one of the most productive backs in the Pac-12 Conference. Irving, a two-time All-Pac-12 First Team selection, totaled 2,950 yards and 26 touchdowns on 273 touches from scrimmage in 27 starts at Oregon

With White and Irving both under team control for the next two seasons, Tampa Bay doesn't need four other backup running backs on their roster, and could easily part ways with one by the time training camp is up.

Between Edmonds, second-year running back Sean Tucker, and rookies Ramon Jefferson and DJ Williams, Edmonds seems like the top candidate to be cut ahead of the preseason. Last season, Edmonds did post 49 totes for 176 rushing yards in 13 games, but is entering his age-27 season, and cutting him would save Tampa Bay $1.01 million.