Bucs 2022 Camp Preview: 53-Man Roster Prediction

Bucs rookies and quarterbacks have reported, and coaching camp kicks off on Wednesday. Pewter Report has previewed the Bucs roster position-by-position, and now it’s time for me to take a stab at a 53-man roster place. Remember the fact that the Bucs might return a major quantity of gamers to the observe squad with the enlargement to 16 spots, which might embody six veterans.

Quarterbacks – 3

Tom Brady
Blaine Gabbert
Kyle Trask

Evaluation: The Bucs quarterback room is ready. Whereas there’s an opportunity Trask might unseat Gabbert because the quantity two, the workforce will seemingly go along with the skilled possibility behind Brady. Final season Trask was inactive for each sport. So it is going to be fascinating to see if he’s lively for any video games this season to obtain mop-up responsibility.

Operating Backs – 4

Leonard Fournette
Rachaad White
Ke’Shawn Vaughn
Giovani Bernard

Evaluation: There’s an out of doors probability Bernard doesn’t make the roster, however I doubt the Bucs go into the season with simply three backs on the roster. White goes to problem Vaughn for the highest backup spot, however it’s going to come all the way down to how effectively he does in go safety. That’s an space Vaughn has proven enchancment at over his two years. But White ought to see motion as a consequence of his versatility and receiving abilities, which might push Bernard down the depth chart.

Broad Receivers – 7

Mike Evans
Chris Godwin
Russell Gage
Tyler Johnson
Cyril Grayson, Jr.
Jaelon Darden
Deven Thompkins

Evaluation: The highest three in Evans, Gage and Godwin are lock, however behind them it’s a free-for-all. Johnson didn’t impress with the chance he had final yr, as he was extra of a possession-type receiver. Grayson was ascending final season earlier than an harm sidelined him. He already has Brady’s belief, and with camp he has a chance to carve out a task on offense.

Cease me in case you’ve heard this earlier than, however Darden has impressed within the offseason. He’s processing the offense sooner this yr with a full comprehension of the playbook. The previous fourth-round decide has probability of creating the roster. Thompkins, a mini-camp standout, will help in quite a lot of methods and caught the eye of teammates and head coach Todd Bowles. If he can hold that consistency by way of camp he might make the roster over somebody like Scotty Miller or Breshad Perriman.

Tight Ends – 3

Cam Brate
Kyle Rudolph
Cade Otton

Evaluation: The signing of Rudolph seemingly pushes Ko Kieft out of a roster spot. Rudolph brings veteran expertise to a roster that was missing it and is a extra completed blocker than Brate. Though Brate has the belief of Brady and must be a weapon within the passing sport particularly within the Purple Zone. Otton is the wild card. The rookie was medically cleared for coaching camp, however might want to present he has a agency grasp of the playbook and consistency going up towards the Bucs protection in camp.

Offensive Line – 9

Donovan Smith
Tristan Wirfs
Ryan Jensen
Shaq Mason
Aaron Stinnie
Fred Johnson
Luke Goedeke
Nick Leverett
Robert Hainsey

Evaluation: With the 4 of the 5 beginning spots set, all eyes shall be on the battle for the beginning left guard spot. Stinnie has the within edge, however the Bucs introduced in competitors by way of the draft in Goedeke. Hainsey has been working onerous all offseason to remodel his physique. Whoever loses out on the beginning spot will present wonderful depth alongside the offensive line. Leverett presents probably the most versatility of the lineman on the roster and is able to enjoying all 5 spots. Josh Wells is the odd man out on this situation, as a consequence of Johnson’s youth and flexibility to play each sort out and guard.

Defensive Line – 6

Will Gholston
Vita Vea
Akiem Hicks
Logan Corridor
Rakeem Nunez-Roches
Pat O’Connor

Evaluation: The Bucs added velocity and athleticism to their defensive position with acquisition of Akiem Hicks and draft decide Logan Corridor. Nevertheless, with each additions the workforce didn’t lose something towards the run. Count on an uptick in snaps for Vea, who’s coming off his first Professional Bowl berth. Gholston continues his position as a do-it-all, lunch-pail lineman. Whereas Nunez-Roches and O’Connor are invaluable reserves, with the latter a core particular groups participant.

Outdoors Linebacker – 5

Shaquil Barrett
Joe Tryon-Shoyinka
Anthony Nelson
Cam Gill
Elijah Ponder*

Evaluation: That is the one spot on the roster the place I don’t suppose the Bucs are executed by way of personnel. Even with the signing of Rudolph, Tampa Bay ought to nonetheless have loads of cash left over to usher in a veteran edge rusher. Barrett is returning to the correct aspect the place had a few of his greatest manufacturing in Bowles protection. Tryon-Shoyinka might want to show he is usually a difference-maker out the gate. Whereas Nelson will look to proceed to construct off final season in a rotational position. Ponder will get the ultimate spot for now, however count on a veteran edge rusher in some unspecified time in the future.

Inside Linebacker – 4

Devin White
Lavonte David
Ok.J. Britt
Grant Stuard

Evaluation: This place on the roster is fairly minimize and dry. David and White return because the starters and can look to have bounce again seasons, after not producing numbers they count on of themselves. Britt impressed throughout offseason camps and might want to take the subsequent step in his improvement as the highest reserve at linebacker. Stuard was a particular groups maven final season and can look to excel in that position whereas attempting to carve out a specialty position on protection.

Cornerback – 5

Carlton Davis III
Jamel Dean
Sean Murphy-Bunting
Dee Delaney
Zyon McCollum

Evaluation: Davis and Dean are locks to make the roster, as is fifth-round rookie McCollum. The Murphy-Bunting slot experiment is perhaps over and he could possibly be competing for a spot on the skin. An harm sidelined him for a lot of the season final yr, however he hasn’t proven the progress the Bucs have hoped for. Delaney stunned many by making the roster out of camp final season and has impressed throughout the offseason. If the workforce desires extra depth, they might select to maintain the versatile Ross Cockrell or undrafted free agent Kyler McMichael if he has camp.

Security – 4

Antoine Winfield, Jr.
Mike Edwards
Keanu Neal
Logan Ryan

Evaluation: The protection room is just about set with the highest 4 on the roster. After receiving his first Professional Bowl nod, Winfield ought to proceed his development as one of many prime younger safeties within the sport. Edwards lastly get his shot as a starter after three years as a rotational participant. Ryan has the flexibility to line up everywhere in the defensive backfield, and may see his fair proportion of snaps within the slot. Whereas Neal is a powerful run defender and the toughest hitter within the room. If the Bucs hold 5 safeties, Troy Warner is a reputation to observe.

Specialists – 3

P Jake Camarda
LS Zach Triner
Ok Jose Borregales

Evaluation: The drafting of Camarda successfully signaled the top for veteran punter Bradley Pinion. Carmada is not going to be charged with punting, however dealing with kickoffs and holding duties on subject targets. Triner is again on a two-year deal to deal with the lengthy snapping duties, a task he has been stellar at. The shock right here is Borregales beating out incumbent kicker Ryan Succop. Whereas Succop has been constant from inside 40 yards, he’s restricted by his lack of distance on kicks. Borregales was protected by the Bucs all season final yr, and with a constant camp has an actual shot at successful the job.