With the final preseason game quickly approaching this, this is an opportunity for those wide receivers, linebackers, and defensive backs to get one more game under their belt and one final chance to impress the coaches and make their case for a final roster spot.
Bruce Arians said that there are possibly ten positions up for grabs on the roster and the final determining factor will be how they perform on special teams.
The number four and five wide receiver spots and possibly a sixth wide receiver are up for grabs although Justin Watson and Bobo Wilson have the fourth and fifth receiver spots pretty much locked down. Arians is not sure if the Bucs will carry five or six receivers.
There is depth on the offensive line to be considered and that has to be a major concern after what we all saw from the starting unit on Friday night against a very good Browns front seven.
Depth along the defensive line, although it was very encouraging to see Jason Pierre-Paul back at camp this week and ready to begin the first stage of his rehab from his fractured vertebra suffered in a May car accident.
After the final whistle blows in Dallas Thursday night, Bruce Arians and Jason Licht will huddle up and begin setting the 53 man roster.
When the Bucs begin preparations for the 49ers next week here is a sneak peak at what the roster may look like.
Quarterback (3) Jameis Winston, Blaine Gabbert, Ryan Griffin
Running Back (4) Peyton Barber, Ronald Jones, Andre Ellington, Dare Ogunbowale. Bruce Anderson is the odd man out as he has really not shown much in preseason.
Wide Receiver (6) Mike Evans, Chris Godwin, Breshad Perriman, Justin Watson, Bobo Wilson, Scotty Miller. Miller makes the team although he has been injured the majority of training camp, Miller can change the game with his speed and will be an asset in the return game.
Tight End (3) OJ Howard, Cameron Brate, Tanner Hudson. Hudson has shown enough in camp to make this club as he leads the team with 17 receptions. Antony Auclair is still bothered by a hip injury. Jordan Leggett should get a spot on the practice squad.
Offensive Line (8) Donovan Smith, Demar Dotson, Alex Cappa, Ali Marpet, Ryan Jensen, Earl Watford, Caleb Bennenoch, Zack Bailey. Watford, and Bennenoch can play multiple positions along the line.
Defensive Line (8) Ndamukong Suh, Vita Vea, Beau Allen, William Gohlston, Rakeem Nunez Roches, Terry Beckner, Pat O’Conner, Jeremiah Ledbetter. Roches was the best defensive lineman during the preseason. Arians puts a high value on guys that can play multiple positions and O’Conner and Beckner can give you that that.
Linebacker (9) Carl Nassib, Lavonte David, Devin White, Shaq Barrett, Noah Spence, Kevin Minter, Deonne Bucannon, Anthony Nelson, Devante Bond. Jack Cichy just misses the cut as he tried to come back from his second ACL surgery.
Defensive Back (9) Justin Evans, Mike Edwards, Jamel Dean, Sean Murphy Bunting, Carlton Davis, MJ Stewart, Dorian Stewart, Jordan Whitehead, and Vernon Hargreaves. Ryan Smith would have had a roster spot but is is suspended the first four games of the season due to PED use.
Mazzi Wilkins from USF is another guy who had a good camp, but will most likely end up on the practice squad.
Special Teams (3) Matt Gay, Bradley Pinion, Zach Trinor. Gay beats out Cairo Santos in a very close competition.
Practice Squad (10) Nick Fitzgerald (if healthy), Cole Boozer, Bruce Anderson, Mazzi Wilkins, Antony Auclair, Jordan Leggett, Stevie Tu’ikolovatu, Jack Cichy, Demone Harris, Spencer Schnell.
A lot can happen between now and Sunday when the 53 man rosters have to be finalized. It would not be a surprise to see the Bucs have a lot of movement on the bottom of the roster as they try to get the best 53 guys to start the season.
If the Bucs go with five wide receivers, the Bucs might put Scotty Miller on the practice squad and keep another defensive back, possibly Kentrell Brice.
