A number of key rookies who appear to have been either on track to start or play a significant role in the two deep are nowhere to be found among those roles.
But then again, perhaps that's part of how the process works as far as rookies having to prove themselves in game situations, which is exactly what Todd Bowles alluded to on Tuesday when asked about the rookies that have stood out.
"I mean, (Jalen) McMillan has been playing well. Tykee (Smith) has been playing well. Bucky (Irving) has been playing well. There's a lot of guys. (Tyrek) Funderburk shows up. We've got to see how they play in games. There's a lot of other guys that we've got to kind of see in games that have kind of caught our eyes here and there. So, the next couple of games will tell a lot."
Here are some snap judgments on how things shook out in the first depth chart.
Offense
- Jalen McMillan has been one of the stars of camp. Rookie or not, McMillan could very well up being the WR3 for Week One against Washington if he can carry over the momentum from camp to the field in the preseason. But Trey Palmer, who came on strong down the stretch last year, still will give him a fight for that role.
- Bucky Irving right now looks like this team's RB2, and that's both due to his strong start to camp and that Chase Edmonds continues to miss time with an injury . I have a feeling that the only reason he's at RB3 on the chart is the rookie's lack of game time like Bowles says.
- Graham Barton will likely end up starting Week One absent some kind of major issue in preseason action and the rest of camp. That said, it's not crazy that Robert Hainsey could hang onto his job for a bit. I don't think it will happen, but Barton will need to show he's ready for the challenge when the lights come on.
Defense
- There are a lot fewer questions/observations here - especially on the defensive line and at edge, which are right where they should be - but there are a few.
- K.J. Britt is listed as a starter alongside Lavonte David. That's as it should be. Britt performed admirably last year, better than now-former Buc Devin White.
- Tykee Smith is listed as the third-string safety. He's surely above that. At worst likely somewhere in the two deep at slot corner and safety, and the battle for the slot corner spot between him and Christian Izien should go through the final preseason game. I wouldn't bet against the rookie claiming that job.
- Funderburke should be someone to keep an eye on in preseason action. He'll surely get plenty of looks, and he could end up earning a roster spot with a strong performance. He already has the attention of Bowles and the defensive coaches.
- Jordan Whitehead has claimed one of the starting safety roles alongside Antoine Winfield, Jr. The good ol' times have returned on the back end of the Bucs' defense.
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