As the calendar turns to August and training camp continues throughout the league, all 32 teams are preparing to make roster cuts in order to get things down to a 53-man roster before the start of the season.
The first deadline this season is Tuesday, August 17th, 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 24th and the obvious 53-man mark on August 31st.
Currently, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers have over 80 players on their roster for offseason workouts, OTAs, and training camp. As the final few weeks of the offseason play out, it's worth watching these three players who may earn a roster spot off a strong showing in August.
SS Christian Izien
Throughout the offseason, the Bucs made several moves regarding their secondary, highlighted by the signings of free agents Jordan Whitehead, Bryce Hall, and Tavierre Thomas, along with the addition of 2024 third-round pick Tykee Smith. Even with trading Carlton Davis III to Detroit in May, Tampa Bay's secondary figures to be a strong point on their defense in 2024.
For 2024, incumbent Jamel Dean and breakout candidate Zyon McCollum project to be the Bucs' top two cornerbacks, alongside Antoine Winfield Jr. and Whithead, the presumed starting free and strong safeties. Hall, Thomas, and Smith all plan to play notable roles at their respective positions, with Smith seeming like the clear choice at nickel corner.
Even so, there has been little talk of Izien playing a key role in Tampa Bay's secondary this season. This time last season, Izien was actually one of the few undrafted free agents to make Tampa Bay's final 53 man roster, and quickly showed his potential as a do-it-all safety in his rookie season.
Playing in all 17 games, four of which were starts, Izien recorded 65 tackles, three tackles for loss, two quarterback hits, two pass breakups, and two interceptions, while earning a 66.8 PFF grade. Per Pro Football Reference, Izien allowed just one touchdown and 9.1 yards per completion on 58 targets, solid marks for a first-year undrafted safety.
Izien started the 2023 season off strong, securing interceptions in Tampa Bay's first two games against Minnesota and Chicago. With that, Izien became the fourth undrafted player in NFL history with an interception in each of his first two NFL games, and the first time since 2013.
Entering just his second NFL season, Izien has a prime opportunity to star in Tampa Bay's secondary as a good coverage man. At 5'8" and 197 pounds, Izien won't start right away in the secondary, but will be a key factor in case of an injury or early struggles from Hall, Thomas, or Smith in 2024.