Bucs Roster Reset For 2023

The Bucs brass wasn’t done though. Next came the signing of veteran running back Chase Edmonds, who has plenty of experience in the league and is an explosive receiving threat out of the backfield. Defensive tackle Patrick O’Connor and outside linebacker Cam Gill, core special teamers and reserves, were the next to re-up with the Bucs.

Tampa Bay also added another new face, bringing in Rams defensive tackle Greg Gaines, who is a former college teammate of defensive tackle Vita Vea. Gaines brings a solid run-stuffing presence with some limited pass rush ability.

While the Bucs have retained some of their players, they’ve also lost a few and will continue to over the offseason. Defensive tackle Rakeem Nunez-Roches signed with the Giants and safety Mike Edwards agreed to terms with the Chiefs. While cornerback Sean Murphy-Bunting has signed on with the Titans.

The trade of Mason leaves a sizable hole at right guard, though the Bucs have made a solid dent in filling out their roster, and the re-signing of Nick Leverett and Stinnie could help in that area. Tampa Bay still has a ways to go before free agency is over, and more signings will come in the weeks ahead as the front office continues to scour the market for value signings.

There’s a strong chance the team could reunite with veteran defensive tackle William Gholston  as well as safety Logan Ryan. Though the others seem destined to play elsewhere. Tampa Bay has nine picks in the upcoming draft, as the team currently has 57 players on the roster. That’s well short of the 90-man offseason limit. Here is a look at how the current roster shapes up.

Bucs Roster Reset

QUARTERBACKS – 2

Kyle Trask
Baker Mayfield

Analysis: The Bucs have said all the right things when it comes to Trask, but the signing of Mayfield signals they’re not just going to hand the starting job over to the former second-round pick. The team is likely to add another arm to the room and could look for an aging veteran to come in as a mentor and emergency option. Though they could also look to the draft or undrafted free agency. Tennessee quarterback Hendon Hooker will have a Top 30 visit with the team and could be an option on Day 2 or early Day 3.

RUNNING BACKS – 4

Rachaad White
Chase Edmonds
Ke’Shawn Vaughn
Patrick Laird

Analysis: With Leonard Fournette gone the starting job is White’s to lose. Edmonds is a solid veteran with a similar skill set and starting experience. Vaughn hasn’t really had an opportunity to show what he can do yet. Laird is a camp body and possible practice squad player. The Bucs are sure to add to this position in the draft, likely with a Day 3 selection and undrafted free agent or two. 

WIDE RECEIVERS – 5

Mike Evans
Chris Godwin
Russell Gage
Deven Thompkins
Kaylon Geiger

Analysis: Last season heading into the draft the Bucs were loaded at wide receiver with over 10 players on the roster. While the top three guys – Evans, Godwin and Gage, are locked into their roles, it’s a relative unknown behind them. Thompkins and Geiger played special teams last season for the Bucs but were mostly used on offense in garbage time snaps. 

TIGHT ENDS – 4

Cade Otton
Ko Kieft
Dominique Dafney
David Wells

Analysis: The Bucs feel like they landed a good one in Otton, and with a year in the league and an offseason to work on his body he could be even better. Kieft is a reliable blocker who displayed surprising hands. Dafney and Wells are likely camp bodies. In a ridiculously deep draft at the position the Bucs are almost a sure thing to draft a tight end – possibly by the end of Day 2.

OFFENSIVE LINEMEN – 12

Tristan Wirfs
Nick Leverett
Ryan Jensen
Luke Goedeke
Brandon Walton
Robert Hainsey
Aaron Stinnie
John Molchon
Dylan Cook
Grant Hermans
Justin Skule
Michael Niese

Analysis: The offensive line is in flux this season with departures to two starting offensive lineman in Shaq Mason and Donovan Smith. Luckily the team has built solid, young, versatile depth with the likes of Leverett, Hainsey, Walton and Goedeke. The team is currently formulating a plan that could involve moving Wirfs to left tackle and inserting Goedeke at right tackle, which is where he played in college.

If Tampa Bay feel comfortable with its guys, the line could be rounded out with Leverett at left guard while Hainsey plays right guard. The Bucs might choose to address the position early in the draft at either tackle or guard too. They could also use an experienced swing tackle with Josh Wells, who is currently a free agent, set to miss most of the season after suffering a knee injury on Christmas. 

DEFENSIVE LINEMEN – 6

Vita Vea
Logan Hall
Greg Gaines
Pat O’Connor
Willington Previlon
Mike Greene

Analysis: Vea is coming off a career year with the Bucs and is the only sure thing on the D-line. Hall will need to take a big jump in his sophomore season after he had trouble carving out a consistent role his rookie year. The big addition is Gaines, who is a solid run defender and brings upside as a pass rusher. O’Connor is a core special teamer, and it’s still possible that Will Gholston is brought back in free agency. Expect a mid-round draft pick and a bevy of undrafted free agents to fill out the position.  

OUTSIDE LINEBACKERS – 6

Shaq Barrett
Joe Tryon-Shoyinka
Anthony Nelson
Cam Gill
Hamilcar Rashed
Charles Snowden

Analysis: This room is full of question marks. Barrett and Gill are coming off injuries that knocked them for part of (Barrett) and all of (Gill) the season. Tryon-Shoyinka hasn’t really taken the next step in his development and Nelson brings consistency but is limited. The Bucs need to address this position and most importantly bring in another speed rusher. Expect the Bucs to use a Day 1 or Day 2 draft choice on adding to the pass rush. Veteran Carl Nassib might even return if it turns out Barrett’s recovery isn’t going as planned.

INSIDE LINEBACKERS – 5

Devin White
Lavonte David
K.J. Britt
Ulysees Gilbert
J.J. Russell

Analysis: With David back the team returns its starting duo for another season. The Bucs were able to bring him back on a more than team-friendly deal, but at some point they need to think about life after him. Britt has been a solid special teamer, but has not shown that he could be a starting-caliber linebacker yet. There are several solid players in the draft, and the Bucs could choose to draft David’s heir apparent. But at the very least they need to add more speed and depth at the position. 

CORNERBACKS – 7

Carlton Davis III
Jamel Dean
Zyon McCollum
Dee Delaney
Anthony Chesley
Don Gardner
Duron Lowe

Analysis: The Bucs are set on the outside after bringing Dean back on a four-year deal. Combined with Davis the team boasts two top corners in the league. Where they need help is at the nickel position with Antoine Winfield Jr. moving back to safety exclusively. There is solid young depth in Delaney and McCollum, although the Bucs could stand to add another developmental cornerback and someone who can start immediately in the slot. Don’t be surprised if they brought in a veteran along with drafting a rookie or two. 

SAFETIES – 2

Antoine Winfield Jr.
Nolan Turner

Analysis: The Bucs’ cupboard is bare behind Winfield at the position. Turner was a solid undrafted free agent signing and ended the season on the 53-man roster, but the Bucs need more talent at the position. While the door hasn’t been closed on re-signing Logan Ryan or Keanu Neal, there are also several free agents the Bucs could consider as well. The team has been connected with several players in the draft, most notably Alabama’s Brian Branch, who was formally interviewed at the NFL Scouting Combine. 

SPECIALISTS – 4

Ryan Succop
Jake Verity
Jake Camarda
Zach Triner 

Analysis: It’s looking more and more likely the Bucs will stick with Succop this season as reliable kickers are just hard to find. While he cant hit the 50-yarders with consistency he’s pretty much automatic from 45 yards and in. Camarda is on his way to becoming a star at the position and Triner is as solid as they come. Don’t be surprised if the Bucs bring in competition at kicker though, either through the draft or free agency.