Okay folks, we are now midway through the Buccaneers 2019 training camp with one preseason game down and the roster is starting to take some shape. Injuries have depleted the o-line, d-line and safety group causing the team to make some roster moves, but the other position battles seem to be playing themselves out nicely. This week will be big with the Bucs practicing against the Dolphins all week before their game on Friday night. Seeing more of these players against a different opponent should help out a lot. But before that happens, here is my somewhat too early, midway 53-man roster/10-man practice squad projection.
53-MAN ROSTER
QUARTERBACKS (2)
Jameis Winston, Blaine Gabbert
On four of the five teams that he's been the head coach, Bruce Arians has kept three quarterbacks on his 53-man roster. I don't see him doing that here this season. The team just signed and released Vincent Testaverde Jr. within the same week. They placed rookie Nick Fitzgerald on the Active/Non-football Injury list after hurting his hamstring playing beach volleyball. That leaves just three active QB's on this current Buccaneers roster in Winston, Gabbert and Ryan Griffin. I suppose there's a possibility that they could keep Griff on as the third quarterback, but I doubt it. And unfortunately, he has too many years in the league which makes him ineligible for the practice squad. In the end, I see Griffin being released, Fitzgerald being sent to the practice squad, and Gabbert backing up Winston to start the regular season.
RUNNING BACKS (4)
Peyton Barber, Ronald Jones Jr., Andre Ellington, Dare Ogunbowale
Before training camp, I thought that undrafted rookie Bruce Anderson was going to work his way on to the 53-man roster as the Bucs fourth running back. However after a few weeks of camp and one game, I changed my mind. The coaching staff seems to be very surprised and pleased with the emergence of Dare Ogunbowale. The third year player spent the 2018 season on the Bucs practice squad, but he's drawn the attention of Arians in training camp so far. The fact that he's able to return kickoffs isn't hurting him either. There's still a shot that Anderson could come on strong in the second half of camp and change their minds, but the most likely spot for him will be on the practice squad.
WIDE RECEIVERS (6)
Mike Evans, Chris Godwin, Breshad Perriman, Justin Watson, Scott Miller, Bobo Wilson
I thought that this position would be more competitive than it has been in camp. But even with the injury to DeMarkus Lodge that's kept him from practicing, nobody else has really stepped in to "WOW" the staff. Rookie Spencer Schnell had a good game in Pittsburgh and appears to have a nice connection with Ryan Griffin, but that does him no good if Griff isn't here. As of right now, those top six have really separated themselves from the rest of the pack and the rest of them are just fighting for a spot on the practice squad.
TIGHT ENDS (4)
OJ Howard, Cam Brate, Antony Auclair, Tanner Hudson
I know, this one even surprises me a little bit. When the Bucs signed Jordan Leggett back in May, I thought that he would for sure make the roster as the fourth tight end at least. However, he disappeared against the Steelers while Tanner Hudson shined. If this trend keeps up, Hudson will have that fourth spot and Leggett will be looking for a new job. The only thing that might save him is that Hudson is still eligible for the practice squad and Leggett is not. If it's a close race at the end of camp, the team could elect to keep both by sending Hudson there and keeping Leggett on the active roster.
OFFENSIVE LINE (8)
Donovan Smith, Ali Marpet, Ryan Jensen, Alex Cappa, Demar Dotson, Earl Watford, Caleb Benenoch, Cole Boozer
This is a toughy. Besides the starting five, the rest of these spots are up for grabs now that Mike Liedtke has been waived/injured. Watford was competing for that starting right guard spot to start camp, but it seems like that was short lived. Benenoch has some value (I said some) because of his "versatility" to play all across the line. Boozer has been mentioned throughout camp as a player who has impressed. The young guys have had decent camps as well. Brock Ruble, Zack Bailey, Ruben Holcomb and Nate Trewyn could all have a shot at making the 53-man roster. But keep an eye on recently signed tackle William Poehls as he could be a guy to possibly take Benenoch's spot as a cheaper option since Benenoch is set to make $2 million this season.
DEFENSIVE LINE (6)
Ndamukong Suh, Vita Vea, William Gholston, Beau Allen, Jeremiah Ledbetter, Rakeem Nunez-Roches
Yes Vita Vea just sprained his knee, but he could be back by the start of the regular season. This group could also change depending on what happens during the second half of camp. I haven't heard rookie Terry Beckner's name mentioned one time this summer, which leads me to believe that he's having a less than stellar camp. On the other hand, I have heard Ledbetter's name mentioned a few times as one of the guys who's impressing the staff so I penciled him in here for now. "Nacho" Nunez-Roches is one of the more experienced players on this d-line so I'm giving him the nod as well. If Beckner doesn't get his butt in gear, he'll end up on the practice squad this season.
OUTSIDE LINEBACKERS/DEFENSIVE ENDS (5)
Jason Pierre-Paul, Carl Nassib, Noah Spence, Shaq Barrett, Anthony Nelson
I originally thought that JPP would be out until late October/early November with his neck injury which could've landed him on the IR, but he's apparently a "freakish healer" and could possibly even be back as early as Week 1 against the Niners. If he doesn't get put on IR, then this is what I think the OLB group will look like at the end of camp. If he does go to IR, then that fifth spot could be up for grabs among a bunch of young players like David Kenney, Pat O'Connor, Demone Harris and Kahzin Daniels.
INSIDE LINEBACKERS (5)
Lavonte David, Devin White, Deone Bucannon, Kevin Minter, Jack Cichy
This group seems pretty set barring any injuries. If Cichy can stay healthy, he should be the fifth ILB unless Devante Bond or Corey Nelson come on strong in the second half of camp. Then Cichy could still be allocated to the practice squad since he's still eligible for another year. For now, I'm going with these five.
CORNERBACKS (5)
Vernon Hargreaves, Carlton Davis, Sean Murphy-Bunting, Jamel Dean, Ryan Smith
Even though Murphy-Bunting had a rough night in Pittsburgh, I think he's still the front runner for the starting nickel corner spot. Hargreaves and Davis are the likely starters outside with Dean and Smith as the reserves. De'Vante Harris could challenge Smith for that fifth CB spot, but I doubt if he wins it.
SAFETIES (5)
Mike Edwards, Jordan Whitehead, Justin Evans, MJ Stewart, Isaiah Johnson
It's tough for me to put Johnson in this group as I'm not a big fan of his. However, right now the injuries at safety are piling up and he's one of the healthy ones. Evans has yet to practice, but I find it hard to believe that they would cut him loose. The main competition for Johnson, in my opinion, is Kentrell Brice who suffered an ankle injury in Friday night's game. If he can actually get healthy and stay healthy, then he will be that fifth safety. But if not, the job may just go to Johnson.
SPECIAL TEAMS (3)
Matt Gay, Bradley Pinion, Zach Triner
Pinion is the only punter on the roster. Triner is the only longsnapper on the roster. The only true competition on special teams is at kicker where rookie Matt Gay and veteran Cairo Santos have been trading blows all through camp. If the race stays close, the tie will go to the fifth round draft pick and less expensive option Gay who has been showing off his leg all summer. If you haven't heard it yet, I swear it sounds like a cannon going off when he kicks inside the indoor facility!
PRACTICE SQUAD (10)
QB Nick Fitzgerald- dual threat QB who could potentially be used as a special weapon on offense similar to the way the Saints use Taysom Hill
RB Bruce Anderson- all purpose RB who could eventually be a third down back for the Bucs, but he still needs some time to develop
G Zack Bailey- strong swing guard who could eventually work his way into a reserve role with some solid coaching
C Nate Trewyn- solid center who could possibly turn into the backup interior offensive lineman of the future
DL Terry Beckner Jr.- has tons of potential if he can stay healthy and get stronger
CB Mazzi Wilkins- good size and speed with potential to develop into a solid reserve at corner
OT Brock Ruble- large tackle who needs to get stronger, but has the potential to be a solid reserve
OLB David Kenney- an interesting prospect for OLB since he's a bit undersized, but could develop into an inside/outside LB in this Bowles defense
WR DeMarkus Lodge or Spencer Schnell- this is a toss up for me between two completely different receivers; Lodge has the size and speed while Schnell has the speed and return capabilities
S John Battle or Lukas Denis- another toss up between two different players; Denis has had a decent camp so far, but Battle offers a little more versatility to possibly play either safety position or even at nickel
So there you have it. My mid-training camp projection for the 2019 Tampa Bay Buccaneers 53-man active and 10-man practice squad rosters. How did I do? Let me know by commenting below or find me on Twitter or Facebook and let's talk some Bucs football. Stay tuned to the Buccaneer Invasion for my weekly edition of Deez Bucz Blogz coming up this season!
Until then, as always...GO BUCS!!!
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