The Tampa Bay Buccaneers play their first preseason game this week. They travel to Cincinnati to play the Bengals on Saturday which means that NFL football will once again grace our lives. However, this game will mean more to some than others.
There are many players who are fighting and clawing to make the team. Keep in mind that it is a 90 man roster that will be wielded down to 53 in just a few weeks. Nearly half of these players in camp won’t make it.
Now most of those 53 spots are accounted for by guys we know will be on the team. However, there are several depth roles that are up for grabs. For those competing for those jobs, these preseason games are vital.
Here are the five Buccaneers that need to impress in the preseason opener.
Kalen DeLoach
It was a pleasant surprise to see DeLoach listed as a second string linebacker on the depth chart over the likes of JJ Russell who has been with the team longer. This tells me that DeLoach has impressed the coaching staff and is earning his place. Especially considering that rookies have taken a back seat to veterans on the initial depth chart.
Of course, it would go a long way to see him continue to flash against NFL competition that wears a different jersey and not just in practice. This will be the undrafted rookie’s first opportunity to prove himself. Can he solidify his place with the defense or will he fall off and just be another guy who didn’t make it? We will soon find out.
Sean Tucker
Coming out of Syracuse, Tucker was a highly regarded prospect. However, his NFL draft process went sideways quickly after being flagged with a heart condition at the NFL combine. As a result, he went undrafted and the Bucs were able to sign him as a rookie free agent.
Tucker never seemed to find his footing last season. We were expecting the decisive, explosive runner we saw in college, but we got a runner who looked timid. It’s unclear what the reason behind this was, but it’s not uncommon when going to a bigger, faster, stronger league.
Now he is in a battle to keep his roster spot. He is currently expected to be the 4th string running back and one of the kick returners, but he needs to show a lot more than we saw last season. This is Tucker’s opportunity to show that he belongs in this league.
Jose Ramirez
There were a lot of evaluators who thought highly of Ramirez coming out of the draft and it was widely believed that the Buccaneers got a steal. So far, we are yet to see that. However, there are some indications that the coaching staff likes him.
He was given a spot on the practice squad last year and he has received praise throughout camp. But eventually, good faith runs out and we need to see something on the field. This is his opportunity to do that.
Ramirez is fighting to be the 6th edge rusher. That’s how many the Bucs kept last year at this position, but it’s not a guarantee they do this season. He needs to force the issue and make it impossible for the team to cut him.
Elijah Klein
When Sua Opeta went down with a season ending injury, it was a big loss for the Bucs offensive line depth. But as they say, it’s next man up and that next man could very well be Klein. This 6th round pick from UTEP now has a real shot to make the opening day roster.
Klein has a lot of college experience under his belt and is known as a good run blocker. However, he is a pretty average NFL athlete and needs to show something against this higher level of competition. Saturday he will get his chance to do that.
Ko Kieft
I love Kieft’s style of play. A gritty, blocking tight end who does everything that’s asked of him. If there was a Ko Kieft fan club then I would be the founding member.
With that said, I think there’s a real chance that he doesn’t make this team. The Bucs are trending towards less two tight end sets and less full back usage. That means that his primary role has been all but eliminated.
There is always the opportunity that Kieft emerges as the primary backup to Cade Otton. However, with essentially no pass catching skills that feels like an uphill battle. He needs to prove that he can be a factor in the receiving game to warrant a spot in this roster.
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