Buccaneers 53-man roster projection heading into Dolphins game: Long shot rookie forces himself onto the roster

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are winless as the third preseason game draws closer and there are still plenty of questions to try and answer when the Miami Dolphins come to town.

The starters should play on Friday night, which will help us get a better gauge of where things stand, even if it's still preseason football. Regardless, that, along with a final dress rehearsal for bubble players, represent the final step toward building the 2024 roster.

So, with that being said, it's time for one more 53-man roster projection before we turn in our final 53-man roster prediction before final cuts on August 27.

**Please note a single asterisk (*) denotes rookies and double asterisks (**) denote rookie undrafted free agents.**

Quarterback (2)

IN: Baker Mayfield, Kyle Trask
OUT: John Wolford

The skinny: The backup quarterback battle is still ongoing, but Trask may end up winning by default if Wolford cannot play against the Dolphins on Friday night. The battle simply comes down to what happens and on the injury front and Wolford certainly has a chance to take the job with a strong performance and another mediocre performance from Trask.

Running back (3)

IN: Rachaad White, Bucky Irving*, Sean Tucker
OUT: Chase Edmonds, D.J. Williams, Ramon Jefferson

The skinny: Chase Edmonds has missed just about the entirety of camp, while Tucker is looking like the guy the coaching staff thought they were getting last year. Irving has a firm grasp on the RB2 job and all three can catch, therefore, the Bucs have the luxury of carrying just three guys.

Wide receiver (7)

IN: Mike Evans, Chris Godwin, Jalen McMillan*, Trey Palmer, Rakim Jarrett, Sterling Shepard, Cody Thompson,
OUT: Kameron Johnson**, Tanner Knue**, Latreal Jones, Cephus Johnson III, Ryan Miller, Raleigh Webb

The skinny: Seven receivers is definitely a crowded room and this could easily change if Kameron Johnson flashes on Friday night. Todd Bowles said Monday he’ll make his NFL debut and the staff really likes him. It’ll be interesting to see if he can make a case for one of the final roster spots.

Tight end (4)

IN: Cade Otton, Payne Durham, Ko Kieft, Devin Culp*
OUT: David Wells, Tanner Taula, Sal Cannella

The skinny: This room is one of the few without questions. Culp has been solid during camp and we all know new offensive coordinator Liam Coem likes his tight ends. It'll be these four guys unless something drastic happens.

Offensive line (9)

IN: Tristan Wirfs (LT), Ben Bredeson (LG), Graham Barton* (C), Cody Mauch (RG), Luke Goedeke (RT), Robert Hainsey, Justin Skule, Elijah Klein*, Brandon Walton
OUT: Luke Haggard, Xavier Delgado**, Ryan Johnson**, Avery Jones**, Lorenz Metz (IPP)

The skinny: The top-8 guys are set on the offensive line - it’s more about what comes after. Right now, I’d think Brandon Walton has the lead based off his experience and versatility. However, don’t rule out Luke Haggard, who’s played well, he’s just hurt. We’ll see if he suits up Friday night. If he does, he could easily take Walton’s spot.

Defensive line (5)

IN: Calijah Kancey, Vita Vea, Logan Hall, Greg Gaines, Will Gholston
OUT: Mike Greene, Earnest Brown, C.J. Brewer, Judge Culpepper, Lwal Uguak, Brandon Matterson

The skinny: This group, along with the tight end room, is chalk, ultimately. Maybe Mike Greene makes the Final Cut, but the Bucs are going to be in nickel/subpackages the majority of the time, so two DL will be on the field more than three, which allows the team go a little “light".

Outside Linebacker (5)

IN: YaYa Diaby, Joe Tryon-Shoyinka, Anthony Nelson, Chris Braswell*, Jose Ramirez
OUT: Shaun Peterson Jr.**, Jay Person**, Daniel Grzesiak**

The skinny: Watts could make it a six-man show, but ultimately, six OLB seems like a lot. A couple of keys, here, could be the new kickoff rules and the health of the overall room. If Todd Bowles and co. want to use more linebackers during the kicking portion of things, then that’s potentially how Watts makes the final roster. YaYa Diary is still nursing his ankle sprain, but he should be OK come Week 1. Other than those factors, it’s likely to be a five-man show.

Inside Linebacker (5)

IN: Lavonte David, K.J. Britt, J.J. Russell, SirVocea Dennis, Kalen DeLoach**
OUT: Vi Jones, Antonio Grier Jr.**

The skinny: The top-4 here are set, with DeLoach snagging the final roster spot. The long shot rookie UDFA has impressed all summer long and will force the coaching staff to carry him on the final roster.

Cornerback (6)

IN: Jamel Dean (CB), Zyon McCollum (CB), Tykee Smith (NB), Bryce Hall, Josh Hayes, Christian Izien
OUT: Tyrek Funderburk** Keenan Isaac, Chris McDonald**, Andrew Hayes

The skinny: Smith is pretty much a lock to win the nickel job. I put Izien in this group because I think he’ll play more corner than safety, although he’ll move between both spots over the course of the year. Despite Funderbunk’s late injury, I think he's done enough to where the team keeps him on the roster. Though, there is a world where the Bucs pick him over Josh Hayes.

Safety (4)

IN: Antoine Winfield Jr., Jordan Whitehead, Tavierre Thomas, Kaevon Merriweather
OUT: Rashad Wisdom**, Marcus Banks**

The skinny: Like Izien, I put Thomas at safety because I think he’ll play more safety than corner, but will move between both. This group is chalk, as well, and is already set unless something crazy happens.

Specialists (3)

IN: Chase McLaughlin (K), Jake Camarda (P), Zach Triner (LS)
PR: Jalen McMillan
KR: Bucky Irving
OUT: Nolan Cooney (P), Evan Deckers (LS)

The skinny: Bowles said after the Jags loss that he isn’t planning on bringing anyone in to compete with McLaughlin after a couple of preseason misses, as he shouldn’t. The only question, here, is whether or not Deckers beats out Triner and I don’t see that happening.