INTRO: The Bucs are ready for their 2025 preseason opener at home against the Tennessee Titans, whom they battled – literally – in a joint practice on Thursday. Before the start of each preseason, I unveil my early Bucs 53-man roster prediction based on what I’ve seen from the team in training camp. Enjoy!

FAB 1. Bucs 53-Man Roster Prediction: Offensive Skill Players

The Bucs are loaded with talent at the skill positions and the running back room and wide receiving corps may be the envy of the league. It all starts with Baker Mayfield at quarterback, as he became the first two-time Pro Bowl quarterback in Tampa Bay history, and Mike Evans who has become a first-ballot Hall of Fame wide receiver. The Bucs are three deep at running back and four deep at wide receiver when Chris Godwin is healthy.

QUARTERBACKS – 2

QB Baker Mayfield
QB Kyle Trask

Bucs QB Baker Mayfield, RB Bucky Irving – Photo by: USA Today

ANALYSIS: Baker Mayfield is the obvious starter as he enters into the second year of a three-year, $100 million contract in Tampa Bay. He’s looking to build on a record season in which he threw for 4,500 yards and 41 touchdowns, which was the second most in team history while completing a franchise-best 71.4% of his passes. Cutting down on his 16 interceptions, which were tied for the NFL lead, is the goal in 2025, in addition to advancing past the Wild Card round in the playoffs – well past. Mayfield is the heartbeat of the Bucs with his leadership, swagger and energy.

Kyle Trask returns as Mayfield’s primary backup. He knows the offense, and perhaps just as important, knows the offensive linemen, tight ends, receivers and running backs and has developed chemistry with them over his five seasons in red and pewter.

Trask will get pushed in the final weeks of camp from the arrival of veteran Teddy Bridgewater, but the Bucs will only carry two quarterbacks. And with Bridgewater not knowing the offense yet and the fact that the team doesn’t want to guarantee his 2025 salary, which would happen if the 12-year veteran is on the roster for Week 1, he’ll start the year on the practice squad.

RUNNING BACKS – 3

RB Bucky Irving
RB Rachaad White
RB Sean Tucker

Bucs RBs Rachaad White and Bucky Irving – Photo by: Cliff Welch/PR

ANALYSIS: Bucky Irving is the starter after his breakout 1,122-yard season last year as a rookie, but Rachaad White will see plenty of playing time. Offensive coordinator Josh Grizzard believes in a two-back system, and at 195 pounds, Irving can’t handle 25 touches per game over a 17-game season. Irving might get about 50 percent of the touches while White, who has tremendous value on third downs due to his elite pass protection skills and receiving ability, figures to get around 40 percent. White is in a contract year and is focused on maximizing his touches.

Sean Tucker is deserving of more carries and catches in 2025 as he enjoyed a breakthrough season in 2024 and led all Bucs running backs with a 6.2-yard average. The team likes Josh Williams, an undrafted free agent out of LSU, and he has a chance of making the roster due to his natural ability as a runner if the Bucs can find a roster spot for him. If not, look for Williams, who will miss the preseason opener due to a hamstring injury, to definitely make the practice squad.

WIDE RECEIVERS – 6

WR Mike Evans
WR Chris Godwin* (PUP candidate)
WR Emeka Egbuka
WR Jalen McMillan
WR Tez Johnson
WR Dennis Houston

Bucs WRs Mike Evans and Jalen McMillan – Photo by: USA Today

ANALYSIS: Mike Evans might be having the best training camp of any player on offense this year. Always run clean routes. Always open. Always catches the ball. Always makes plays. Chris Godwin will not be ready to play for the season opener as he continues to recover from a devastating dislocated ankle last year in Week 7.

He’ll start the season on the PUP list, which means he’ll miss at least the first four games of the year, but must be on the initial 53-man roster for 24 hours before he can be moved to the PUP. If not, he’ll be on injured reserve and will be out for the year. Expect Godwin to return in October.

After 24 hours, the Bucs will be down to five receivers to start the season with Emeka Egbuka, Jalen McMillan, Tez Johnson and Dennis Houston making the team. Don’t be surprised if Sterling Shepard makes the practice squad again and then is elevated to the active roster after Week 1 when his 2025 salary won’t be fully guaranteed because he’s a vested veteran.

Egbuka will replace Godwin as the starting slot receiver while McMillen returns to the Z receiver (flanker) position. Johnson beats out Kam Johnson and Trey Palmer, who just can’t stay healthy, and likely emerges as the team’s punt returner. Houston has quietly had a consistent training camp and rounds out the receiver position on the initial 53-man roster.

TIGHT ENDS – 4

TE Cade Otton
TE Payne Durham
TE Devin Culp
TE Ko Kieft

Bucs TE Payne Durham – Photo by: Cliff Welch/PR

ANALYSIS: The Bucs will run enough 12 personnel, which are two-tight end sets, to where they will want to carry four tight ends. Cade Otton returns as a starter in his contract year. He’s missed most of training camp with a hamstring injury, which has allowed Payne Durham and Devin Culp more reps to grow. Durham is entrenched as TE2 due to his ability to block and catch, while Culp will try to prove this season that he’s ready for more reps due to his speed and receiving ability. Ko Kieft adds value as a core special teamer and blocker as TE4.

FAB 2. Bucs 53-Man Roster Prediction: The Trenches

Bucs general manager Jason Licht believes in building through the trenches with strong offensive and defensive lines. There’s plenty of evidence in the fact that Licht has spent two first-round picks (left tackle Tristan Wirfs and center Graham Barton) along the offensive line and two first-round picks along the defensive line (Calijah Kancey and Vita Vea). Not to mention spending second-round picks in defensive tackle Logan Hall, offensive tackle Luke Goedeke and right guard Cody Mauch. There is a ton of talent in Tampa Bay’s trenches.

OFFENSIVE LINE – 10

LT Tristan Wirfs
LG Ben Bredeson
C Graham Barton
RG Cody Mauch
RT Luke Goedeke
OT Charlie Heck
C-G Elijah Klein
OT Ben Chukwuma
C-G Jake Majors
OT Michael Jordan

Bucs C Graham Barton – Photo by: Cliff Welch/PR

ANALYSIS: I have a feeling that All-Pro left tackle Tristan Wirfs is going to avoid being placed on the PUP (physically unable to perform) list, which would sideline him for the first four games of the season. He may not be ready for Week 1, but he might be able to suit up in Week 3 or 4 and the team wants to have the flexibility to do that if he continues to make progress rehabbing his knee. So the team will carry Wirfs on the 53-man roster to start the year.

Charlie Heck has been groomed to be the short-term, fill-in starter at left tackle until Wirfs returns. The rest of the starters – left guard Ben Bredeson, center Graham Barton, right guard Cody Mauch and right tackle Luke Goedeke – are all back for another season together and should make up one of the league’s best offensive lines. Barton, Mauch and Goedeke, who is entering a contract year, all have Pro Bowl potential.

Tampa Bay loves Elijah Klein’s flexibility and he’s become Robert Hainsey’s replacement as a backup center-guard this offseason. Undrafted free agent left tackle Ben Chukwuma has all the physical tools and athleticism. He just needs experience after only playing two seasons of football in his entire life, which happened at Georgia State.

Another undrafted free agent in Jake Majors makes the team as a promising center-guard candidate, and veteran newcomer Michael Jordan gives the Bucs more depth as he can play right tackle and guard.

DEFENSIVE LINE – 6

DT Calijah Kancey
DT Vita Vea
DT Logan Hall
DT Greg Gaines
DT Elijah Roberts
DT C.J. Brewer

Bucs DTs Calijah Kancey and Vita Vea – Photo by: Cliff Welch/PR

ANALYSIS: Calijah Kancey and Pro Bowler Vita Vea are each capable of a 10-sack season in 2025, as they are the most talented players along the Bucs defensive front. Those two will see plenty of work on all three downs. Logan Hall plays the 4i technique and is a starter in Todd Bowles’ base 3-4 defense. He had a career-high 5.5 sacks last year mostly on early downs as he’s not in third downs that often. Now Hall enters a contract year and is in the best shape of his career.

Greg Gaines returns as Vea’s backup at nose tackle, while the team likes the promise and potential of Elijah Roberts, this year’s fifth-round pick. Roberts will back up Hall at 4i and is making the transition from defensive end where he was a dominant pass rusher at SMU to defensive tackle in Tampa Bay. C.J. Brewer, who had his first two NFL sacks against Atlanta last year, beats out the rest for the sixth and final defensive tackle position.

FAB 3. Bucs 53-Man Roster Prediction: Linebackers

Head coach Todd Bowles and general manager Jason Licht have brought in some needed veteran experience at both inside and outside linebacker this offseason. Anthony Walker Jr. and Deion Jones replace K.J. Britt and J.J. Russell as depth pieces at inside linebacker, while Haason Reddick, who has four double-digit sack seasons, signed a one-year, prove-it deal to start opposite Yaya Diaby and bring some speed off the edge.

INSIDE LINEBACKERS – 4

ILB SirVocea Dennis
ILB Lavonte David
ILB Anthony Walker Jr.
ILB Deion Jones

Bucs ILB Lavonte David and DT Logan Hall – Photo by: Cliff Welch P/R

ANALYSIS: The Bucs will likely only keep four inside linebackers with SirVocea Dennis and Lavonte David as the starters and veterans Anthony Walker Jr. and Deion Jones as the experienced backups. Dennis has had a great camp and his shoulder has been surgically repaired. David returns for his 13th season at age 35 and brings experience, leadership and playmaking ability.

Walker has missed the first three weeks of camp and is on the NFI (non-football injury) list, but the team is excited about his energy, leadership and experience. Jones is an athletic playmaker with plenty of leadership and he’s a great fit in Todd Bowles’ scheme. Nick Jackson, an undrafted free agent out of Iowa, could sneak his way on to the roster if he excels on special teams and the Bucs can find a way to keep five inside ‘backers. Otherwise he’s a likely practice squad candidate.

OUTSIDE LINEBACKERS – 4

OLB Haason Reddick
OLB Yaya Diaby
OLB Chris Braswell
OLB Anthony Nelson

Bucs OLB Yaya Diaby – Photo by: Cliff Welch P/R

ANALYSIS: Tampa Bay has a nice 1-2 punch in newcomer Haason Reddick, a two-time Pro Bowler, and Yaya Diaby, who enters his third season in Tampa Bay. Each of whom is capable of reaching double digit sacks this season. The Bucs are counting on Chris Braswell to step up in his second season, especially as a pass rusher. Braswell has been playing faster and with more confidence in camp. Veteran Anthony Nelson is back for his sixth season in red and pewter and Todd Bowles loves his length, dependability and experience.

Bowles typically keeps five outside linebackers on the 53-man roster, and rookie David Walker, who was the team’s fourth-round pick, was supposed to be that fifth edge rusher. But a torn ACL has robbed Walker of his rookie season. Neither Markees Watts nor Jose Ramirez has stepped enough in training camp to warrant a spot on the 53-man roster yet. Perhaps the preseason will change that. Watts is the better special teams contributor and the better athlete, while Ramirez is a more natural pass rusher. Both should make the practice squad for depth reasons.

FAB 4. Bucs 53-Man Roster Prediction: Secondary

No position was bit harder by the injury bug than Tampa Bay’s secondary in 2024. The team bolstered the depth with talent upgrades and increased the level of competition this offseason with a flurry of newcomers. All of a sudden, the Bucs are much more competitive in the secondary and more plays are being made on the ball as a result. Look for tighter coverage, especially from the cornerback position, as Tampa Bay had a woeful seven interceptions on defense last year, including just six picks from the secondary.

CORNERBACKS – 6

CB Zyon McCollum
CB Jamel Dean
CB Benjamin Morrison
CB Jacob Parrish
CB Bryce Hall
CB Josh Hayes

Bucs CB Jamel Dean and Commanders RB Brian Robinson Jr. – Photo by: Cliff Welch/PR

ANALYSIS: The Bucs secondary was hit hard with injuries last year as starter Jamel Dean missed five games and the second halves of two others, including the playoff loss to the Commanders. Bryce Hall broke his leg in the season opener versus the Commanders and was lost for the year. So keeping six cornerbacks make sense as the Bucs have a legit chance of becoming a Super Bowl team.

Zyon McCollum enters his contract year as one starter and is the best corner on the team, while second-round pick Benjamin Morrison is vying with Dean to become the other starter. So far Dean has held off the rookie, who will miss the preseason opener with a hamstring injury, but both will play in 2025.

Jacob Parrish, the team’s third-rounder, appears poised to win the nickelback job and plays with confidence and sound technique. He doesn’t look like a rookie and is a sound tackler. Hall returns for depth and has played well in camp. His size at 6-foot-1, 202 pounds gives him the edge over newcomer Kindle Vildor, who is 5-foot-11, 190 pounds. Vildor could wind up on the practice squad, as Josh Hayes will make the team due to his excellent special teams play as the team’s primary gunner on punt coverage.

SAFETIES – 5

S Antoine Winfield Jr.
S Tykee Smith
S Christian Izien
S Kaevon Merriweather
S J.J. Roberts

Bucs S Christian Izien, CB Zyon McCollum – Photo by: USA Today

ANALYSIS: Like the cornerback position, the safety position was rocked with injuries last year, too. Antoine Winfield Jr. didn’t make the Pro Bowl or the All-Pro team last year because foot and knee injuries robbed him of his playmaking ability, as well as eight games in the regular season.

The Bucs moved on from Jordan Whitehead after a terrible season in 2024 and have moved Tykee Smith from nickelback to strong safety to replace him. Both Winfield and Smith are big-time playmakers when healthy.

Christian Izien and Kaevon Merriweather return as experienced safeties in Todd Bowles’ scheme. Izien has had phenomenal camp and also the versatility to play nickelback in the slot. Merriweather is more of a strong safety and is a hard hitter with size. J.J. Roberts, an undrafted free agent has been a training camp dynamo and can be a factor at nickelback as well as safety.

FAB 5. Bucs 53-Man Roster Prediction: Specialists

The Bucs special teams were only somewhat special last year. Kicker Chase McLaughlin and the kick return game shined, but punting the ball was problematic and the punt return game was sub-par. A new punter in Riley Dixon and a slew of more talented punt return candidates should help in that area.

SPECIALISTS – 3

K Chase McLaughlin
P Riley Dixon
LS Eric Deckers

Bucs QB Baker Mayfield and K Chase McLaughlin – Photo by: Cliff Welch/PR

ANALYSIS: Chase McLaughlin is coming off a career-high and franchise-record season with a 93.8% accuracy mark on field goals. He’s one of the best kickers in the league and has Pro Bowl potential. Newcomer Riley Dixon has won the punting duties and brings experience and stability to what was a turbulent position last year. Tampa Bay went through three punters in 2024. Eric Deckers returns as the reliable long snapper.