The preseason is finally over. We are on to real deal football. The only thing left to do for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers is make their final cuts.
While there is a constant revolving door at the bottom of every roster, the Buccaneers have until Sunday at 6:00 to trim down to their opening 53 man roster. All the impressions made in training camp finally come down to these decisions.
Here is my final prediction for the Buccaneers 2026 roster.
Quarterback
Baker Mayfield, Jake Browning, Jalon Daniels
There is some question as to who the main backup quarterback should be behind Mayfield. Should they go with the experience of Browning or the upside of Daniels. If I had to start one tomorrow then it would be Daniels, but I think they will keep both for now.
Running Back
Bucky Irving, Kenneth Gainwell, Sean Tucker
There has been recent buzz that Tucker might be cut. Personally, I don’t see that. While I like the vision and toughness of Josh Williams, Tucker brings an explosiveness that no other running back on the roster has. Plus his special teams value and ability to get tough yards brings value to the running back rotation.
Wide Receiver
Chris Godwin, Emeka Egbuka, Jalen McMillan, Ted Hurst, Tez Johnson, Kameron Johnson
I have no doubts that these six make the team. The only question is if a seventh guy sneaks in while Egbuka and McMillan are banged up going into the year. I’ll stay with six, but I won’t be shocked if David Sills due to his size and special teams value.
Tight End
Cade Otton, Bauer Sharp, Ko Kieft, Payne Durham
I really don’t love the depth here at tight end. However, it feels like the offense will utilize this position and want bodies they can put out on the field. I couldn’t bring myself to cut a guy like Payne Durham, even though I think his value is limited.
As for Devin Culp; I don’t give him a second thought.
Offensive Line
Tristan Wirfs, Ben Bredeson, Graham Barton, Cody Mauch, Luke Goedeke, Benjamin Chukwuma, Billy Schrauth, Dan Feeney, unknown roster addition
I have been very underwhelmed by the depth of the offensive line this preseason. Of course, Schrauth and Chukwuma haven’t played much due to injury. This feels like a position where they try to steal someone who gets cut by another team or add a free agent.
Defensive Line
Calijah Kancey, Vita Vea, A’Shawn Robinson, Elijah Roberts, Rakeem Nunez-Roches, DeMonte Capehart
This position is both talented and deep. I feel great about each of these players being on the roster, including Vea who has been part of trade speculation.
Edge
Rueben Bain, Yaya Diaby, David Walker, Al-Quadin Muhammad, Anthony Nelson
The edge room is looking better by the day. With the additions of Bain, Walker and Muhammed the room has a ton of depth. I don’t see them keeping more than five at this position, so the 2024 second round pick Chris Braswell is the odd man out for me here.
Linebacker
Alex Anzalone, Josiah Trotter, Christian Rozeboom, SirVocea Dennis
Another position that has been revamped with only one returner to this group. Anzalone will start and I believe Trotter will be next to him. Rozeboom has a good deal of special teams experience and that moves Dennis from a starter last year to essentially fourth string.
I’ll give Caden Fordham an outside shot to make the roster depending on the injury that Dennis is dealing with.
Cornerback
Zyon McCollum, Jacob Parrish, Benjamin Morrison, Keionte Scott, Ayden Garnes
Garnes has been the big surprise of training camp. At this point it really feels like he is going to play his way onto the roster. And with the other four being no doubters to make it, that completes my room here.
I will note that Josh Hayes was the guy that I had the hardest time leaving off the roster. He has special teams value, which matters for a team that is trying desperately to get better in that area this year. If I am wrong on one player, then it’s probably Hayes.
Safety
Antoine Winfield Jr, Tykee Smith, Miles Killebrew, Rashad Wisdom, Ifeatu Melifonwu
This is the group that I had the hardest time with. The top three were easy with Winfield and Smith as the clear starters and Killebrew as a special teams ace.
With every snap, I became more impressed with Wisdom. He brings physicality, the ability to be in the correct position and special teams value. I’ll be surprised if he doesn’t make it.
I wish I had been more impressed with Melifonwu throughout the preseason. Despite his NFL experience, he just never stood out much to me. The team needs safety depth, but he is on the razor’s edge for me as the 53rd man.
Specialists
Chase McLaughlin, Evan Deckers, Riley Dixon
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