Todd Bowles Reveals Bucs' Most Difficult Roster Decision

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers trimmed down their training camp roster to a final 53, meeting the Tuesday afternoon deadline. But arriving to that figure, as the case becomes for 31 other teams, proved a difficult task.

Tampa Bay discovered significant depth and ability across its roster through camp and its preseason action, making those decisions all the more challenging.

But for head coach Todd Bowles, one area stood out among others.

"It was really the cross the positions where you're weighing the outside backer against the sixth receiver, but we felt its hard to get pass rushers in this league and hopefully we can get them through to the practice squad and bring them up as needed.

The Bucs realized significant depth at the outside linebacker spot and have opted to keep that core intact, selecting six such players to the team's final roster. That list includes YaYa Diaby, Joe Tryon-Shoyinka, Anthony Nelson, Chris Braswell, Markees Watts and Jose Ramirez.

Diaby and Tryon-Shoyinka impressed in camp before an injuries and Nelson provides a veteran presence. Braswell has exciting prospects as a second-round rookie while Watts and Ramirez both shined in the preseason.

Ramirez notably tallied three sacks in the team's second preseason game.

Bowles did not list names on the wrong side of the decision, but the team did choose one more outside linebacker than wide receiver. Mike Evans, Chris Godwin, Jalen McMillan, Trey Palmer and Kam Johnson earned those spots.

Related: Bucs Cut Roster to Final 53 Before Deadline

Sterling Shepard was the notable wide receiver omitted from the final roster.

But the talent at receiver will certainly provide enough firepower for this new-look offense. With Diaby and Tryon-Shoyinka dealing with injuries, the depth on that part of the defense presents the more pressing need.

However, as Bowles mentions, the additional help in the pass rush will carry importance beyond injury relief.