Friday is the first preseason game of the year for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. After a pair of joint practices together, they will take on the New York Jets. It will be a great warmup for new faces and established veterans alike.
We know that the Jets will be playing their starters in this game. And while it is unclear who the Bucs will put on the field, we do know that some starters have already been ruled out. This is a great opportunity for less established players to impress the coaching staff.
Some players already have their role pretty well set in stone. Others are looking to move up the depth chart or even make the roster. Even though the final score is meaningless, it’s a very important game for those on the field.
Here are my Buccaneers with the most to gain in their preseason game against the Jets.
Josiah Trotter
All reports out of training Camp have been glowing about Trotter. From his physicality to his leadership, everyone seems to be drawn to him….But that is just practice.
Friday will be the rookie’s first taste of real NFL action. At this point, Trotter is listed as second string on the depth chart behind incumbent starter SirVocea Dennis. It feels like all but a formality that Trotter eventually takes that starting job, but it won’t be handed to him.
A good showing in this game is Trotter’s first step towards winning that starting linebacker job.
Pepe Williams / Ayden Garnes
We have a good idea of who the cornerbacks will be on this Buccaneers team. Projected starters Jacob Parrish, Zyon McCollum and rookie nickel back Keionte Scott are locked in, as is second year pro Benjamin Morrison. After that it’s special teams ace Josh Hayes (who isn’t really on the team for defensive purposes).
It seems unlikely that the Bucs will keep more than six corners, so that leaves one spot open for two guys who have impressed during camp so far. Williams has bounced around different teams and practice squads for a few years while Garnes is a rookie undrafted free agent. Both are looking to stick with the team, but they are likely competing against each other for that last spot.
Neither can afford a bad showing.
Depth Interior Offensive Line
Last year we saw the depth of the interior offensive line tested for the Bucs. Sadly, they did not pass that test. Dan Feeney is back after a less than impressive stint filling in last year, as is Elijah Klein who couldn’t even get on the field despite all the injuries and struggles.
More than anyone, I’m looking forward to seeing rookie guard Billy Schrauth. I was high on the Notre Dame prospect through the draft process and I believe his spot is secure.
Beyond that, I am just looking for anyone to step up. Obviously the team will have more than just one backup interior offensive linemen, but that doesn’t mean that it has to be someone currently on the roster.
Who will impress and who will be replaceable come roster cut day?
Wide Receivers Trying To Replace Kameron Johnson
Let’s assume that the Bucs will keep six wide receivers. Right now, those spots are all locked up. However, that doesn’t mean that someone can take the place of Kameron Johnson.
There is a lot of competition at this position. I like the size of David Sills who came to Tampa as a free agent from the Atlanta Falcons. I also really like the speed of Eric Rivers who signed as an undrafted free agent out of Georgia Tech.
There have also been other names who have flashed in camp, such as Dean Patterson (undrafted free agent also out of Georgia Tech).
At this point, my money is on Johnson to keep his job. It would be nice to have to question that after Friday night.
Bauer Sharp
The depth at tight end is very thin. While Cade Otton is a rock solid starter, there really isn’t much behind him that can be counted on. This is why the Buccaneers traded up in the draft to take Sharp.
Right now, Sharp is listed as the 5th tight end on the roster. With Devin Culp looking mostly abysmal when on the field, it shouldn’t be hard to take his spot. I don’t even rule out Sharp moving up to second on the depth chart behind Otton before the start of the season.
In order to do that, it will take a strong preseason showing from the rookie out of LSU.
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