The Tampa Bay Buccaneers prepare to play their second preseason game of the year. This time they have traveled north to play the Pittsburgh Steelers. This is a well run organization and quality opponent, so it should make for a good test.
However, for some this will be more than just a warmup. This is an opportunity for those who are fighting to make the roster to show that they can make plays against a quality opponent. This could make all the difference in making the team or not.
Here are my five Buccaneers with the most to prove against the Steelers.Â
Chris Braswell
Chris Braswell had an up and down last week against the Titans. He did get a pressure to force an incompletion, but didn’t do as much as hoped as a pass rusher. However, it is worth noting that he was matched up primarily against last year’s 7th overall pick JC Latham.
The Steelers will provide an opportunity for Braswell to have a better showing. The quality of competition isn’t quite as high, although Troy Fautanu is a very talented second year player in his own right. But with the Bucs playing their starters, Braswell might not even see Fautanu in this game.
Braswell is expected to be an important part of the Bucs pass rush rotation this year. He’s also expected to take a step forward after a rookie year that didn’t stand out. I think it would do a lot for his confidence, as well as Bucs fans peace of mind, if Braswell has a good game.
Elijah Roberts
Rookie Elijah Roberts is listed as third string on the depth chart. This year’s fifth round pick has ability, but is not guaranteed anything in terms of making the roster. Every opportunity is important for him.
With that said, he didn’t really move the needle last week against the Titans. And unlike Braswell, Roberts was going against backups all night. For a player that I was very excited to see, I walked away disappointed.Â
There is still a pathway for Roberts to make the team. There is a need for depth defensive line and the staff would love for Roberts to be that guy. However, nothing will be handed to him and he has to earn his place in the NFL.
Tez Johnson
There are not many players like Tez Johnson in the NFL. At just 155 lbs, he is the smallest player in the entire league. He is an incredible physical outlier and history tells use that him making the team is a longshot.
However, Johnson was great at a major college program. He is fast and very shifty. In terms of his talent, I believe he can be successful as a depth wide receiver as well as a punt returner.
However, Johnson has been hurt for the last few weeks. He hasn’t been able to do anything to win a job in a very deep and talented wide receiver room. He is expected to play in this game and he has to make up for lost time.
Kyle Trask
Kyle Trask had a good game statistically last week. However, I don’t think his actual play was as impressive as the box score indicates. It was an okay game from a player that has never impressed me going back to his college days.
The team obviously shared some of those feelings with Trask. They signed veteran Teddy Bridgewater last week to be a part of this quarterback room. For a player that other teams very likely wanted, it says a lot that he chose to come to Tampa.
I believe this is a legitimate battle for the backup quarterback job. Bridgewater has a lot more game experience than Trask. If Trask wants to keep his job then he’s going to have to fight for it.
Sua Opeta
Sua Opeta was brought in last offseason to compete for the starting left guard job. Many believe he was the favorite to win that job before he suffered a season ending injury. He has only very recently returned to the practice field from that injury and is now looking to get his career back on track.
The competition for backup jobs is wide open on the offensive line. We know Charlie Heck will be the primary depth offensive tackle, but there is more of an opportunity on the inside. The Bucs have a lot of options competing for a spot, but for a guy we thought could start last year Opeta should be able to win that job.
With that said, the competition has performed well so far. And Opeta is so far behind the eight ball due to his injury, it might be hard to catch up. He needs to make a statement fast to stay with this team.
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