Final-53 Roster Projection
August 29th, 2019
Bold calls by the manbeast
BY ZACHARY SEIFTER
JoeBucFan.com intern
(Manbeast intern Zach is back at the University of Florida, but not before he left Joe his final-53 roster prediction.)
Trying to predict a final roster is an impossible science. If you aren’t a coach or executive or scout inside the walls of One Buc Place, more likely than not, you won’t know who is on the roster until it comes out.
Still, it’s fun to take a whack at it and try to predict the final roster. Here’s what it looks like:
Offense
QB1 – Jameis Winston: He’s the starter and the main reason why Bruce Arians is here.
QB2 – Ryan Griffin: He’s been in Tampa since 2015 and has had a decent camp/preseason. He will fill the backup quarterback role after the shoulder injury to Blaine Gabbert.
QB3 – Gabbert only earns $1.6 million and Arians likely wants him to stick around.
Running Backs
RB1- Peyton Barber: Arians has raved about Barber since Day 1,..
RB2- Ronald Jones: Don’t be surprised if RoJo is starting before the bye week.
RB3- Dare Ogunbowale: After an impressive camp and preseason, Ogunbowale jumps Andre Ellington on the depth chart.
RB4- Andre Ellington: Another former Arizona player under Arians.
Wide Receivers
WR1- Mike Evans: Possibly the easiest decision Arians will have to make.
WR2- Chris Godwin: The second-easiest decision.
WR3- Breshad Perriman: He’s had a decent camp and looks to have more chemistry with Jameis than Desean Jackson ever did.
WR4- Justin Watson: A bad case of the dropsies through camp and the preseason won’t be enough to keep Watson off this roster. He has still shown flashes but needs to get his hands fixed before the regular season.
WR5- Bobo Wilson: Not only did he make impressive catches throughout camp and the preseason, but Wilson can return punts and kicks. His contribution on special teams ensures his opening day role.
WR6- Scotty Miller: A hamstring injury that sidelined him for much of camp may hurt his chances, but Arians will still see too much promise in him to let him go.
Tight Ends
TE1- O.J. Howard: A matchup nightmare and potentially the best tight end in the NFL.
TE2- Cameron Brate: One of Jameis’ favorite targets, especially in the red zone.
TE3- Antony Auclair: Outstanding blocker, as well as a contributor on special teams.
TE4- Tanner Hudson: With the camp and preseason he’s had, it’s hard to deny Hudson a roster spot. He has impressed every time that he’s taken the field. Not a guy the Bucs can afford to lose.
Offensive Tackles
LT1- Donovan Smith: The Bucs’ starting left tackle is guaranteed $27 million through the 2020 season.
LT2- Cole Boozer: Having gotten looks at the LT1 spot during practice, it doesn’t look like anybody has the upper-hand on Boozer for this spot.
RT1- Demar Dotson: The longest-tenured Buc and once again atop the roster at right tackle.
RT2- Caleb Benenoch: A downright mess at right guard last year, it’s more of the same this year at tackle. However, nobody on the roster has looked any better, unfortunately.
Offensive Guards
LG1- Ali Marpet: Arguably the best player on the Bucs’ offensive line.
LG2- Zack Bailey: The undrafted rookie out of South Carolina plays with toughness and grit. It will be enough to earn him a spot on the team.
RG1- Alex Cappa: Before his struggles against the Browns, Cappa looked to be having a heck of a preseason after a strong camp. He is still far ahead of his competitors here.
RG2- Earl Watford: Commonly referred to as, “Earl of Watford,” by The Sage on his podcast, Watford is another player Arians is familiar with.
Centers
C1- Ryan Jensen: Easy choice
C2- Nate Trewyn: He’s the only other true center on the roster.
Defense
Nose Tackle
NT1- Vita Vea: Even with a knee injury that has held him out for three weeks, Vea is clearly the best nose tackle on the team.
NT2- Beau Allen: Looking to bounce back from a disappointing 2018 season.
Right Defensive End
RDE1- William Gholston: The starter at this spot since the beginning of training camp and it doesn’t look like that will change.
RDE2- Jeremiah Ledbetter: Injured but made enough of an impression early in camp.
Left Defensive End
LDE1- Ndamukong Suh: This requires no explanation.
LDE2- Rakeem Nunez-Roches: Referred to as, “Nacho,” Nunez-Roches hasn’t looked terrible in camp and will provide depth behind Suh.
Inside Linebacker
ILB1- Devin White: Coaches have been impressed, and he’ll call the plays for the defense in 2019.
ILB1- Lavonte David: A savvy veteran entering his eighth NFL season ready to blitz a lot for Todd Bowles.
ILB2- Kevin Minter: Another Arizona guy, Arians will be sure to keep him around.
ILB2- Deone Bucannon: Known as “The Moneybacker,” Bucannon will play a pivotal role on this defense in certain packages. He too is an Arizona guy familiar with Arians and Bowles.
Outside Linebacker
OLB1- Carl Nassib: Nothing happened to knock him down the depth chart. He made enough plays in camp to start.
OLB1- Shaq Barrett: The free agent pickup had a very strong camp and preseason, showcasing a variety of pass rush moves.
OLB2- Noah Spence: Inconsistency means Spence won’t start.
OLB2- Anthony Nelson: He’s shown enough of the flashes that got him drafted in the fourth round this spring.
***Jason Pierre-Paul: Obviously when (if?) JPP comes back, he will have a spot on this roster. Until then, he will be on some kind of injured list, working his way back from a serious neck injury.
Cornerback
CB1- Vernon Hargreaves: The 2016 first round pick out of Florida has been one of the most, if not the most, improved players this summer.
CB2- Carlton Davis: He got his hands on a lot of passes and looks the part of a 2018 second-round pick.
CB3- M.J. Stewart: Appears drastically improved and locked in as the top top nickel corner.
CB4- Sean Murphy-Bunting: The rookie second-rounder showed flashes of brilliance in camp, letting his speed and instincts take over.
CB5- Jamel Dean: Selected 55 picks after Murphy-Bunting, Dean injured his hip early in camp, but he was still able to show off his physical attributes, forcing the coaching staff to make room on the roster for him.
Safety
S1- Jordan Whitehead: He looks to have made a serious leap from Year 1 to Year 2 in all aspects of his game.
S2- Mike Edwards: The rookie safety out of Kentucky has the potential to be one of the biggest steals in the draft. A hamstring injury won’t be enough to keep him off the field on opening day.
S3- Kentrell Brice: The free agent pickup from Green Bay has had a nice summer for himself.
S4- Darian Stewart: The Super Bowl-winning safety from the Denver Broncos will look to aid Bucs fans in forgetting the other safety from that Super Bowl team, T.J. Ward.
****Brice got injured Friday game against Cleveland. In the event it’s serious, Isaiah Johnson will be the team’s fourth safety.
****Justin Evans: Unless placed on some kind of injured list, it’s hard to imagine Arians keeping Evans. He has no loyalty to the 2017 second-round pick, and he’s barely seen him on the field.
Special Teams
Punter- Bradley Pinion: Only punter on the roster. End of story.
Long-snapper- Zach Triner: Here throughout the whole spring and summer with no noticeable mistakes.
Kicker- Matt Gay: Although Cairo Santos had himself a great camp, the job must go to Gay. He has been fantastic throughout and cemented his spot with an impressive 55-yard field goal at Heinz Field, as well as game-winners from 48 yards out to beat the Dolphins and from 21 yards to beat the Browns.
August 29th, 2019 at 5:13 am
I think they keep Justin Evans, probably over Stewart. You can’t get trucked by Fitzmagic likenhe did still keep your job.
August 29th, 2019 at 5:31 am
The last sentence of this article was so so so sweet to read.
We got.a kicker, we got a chance to win some games!
Excellent post Zack
August 29th, 2019 at 5:55 am
Like it. I’d keep Evans the safety over Ellington the running back, but agree with the balance.
August 29th, 2019 at 6:00 am
No surprises. The O Line is the weakest part of the team, as usual.
August 29th, 2019 at 6:18 am
You can’t cut J Evans. All the other dbs have improved across the board from last year. You cut a guy that no other team is going to pick up first, and then you see how he progresses, but if you cut him now, he’ll get picked up by the Cowboys or somebody.
August 29th, 2019 at 6:23 am
No Boozer No Benenoch keep Ruble and Proehls as the back up tackles. Griff didn’t get touched when they were in there. Well the protecting got better in the Miami game second half. That why Ryan and the offense moved the ball down the field. Go back and watch it!
August 29th, 2019 at 6:32 am
Justin played his tail off in a weak defense. You cut Isiah” running into walls” Johnson. Let our money backer play safety until he get healthy. If he can no longer play then you cut him. His range is ridiculous. Plus any dude his size that will come down into the box fearless like his did against Henry in college deserves another chance. We all seen that run last year with Henry stiff arming a whole team and Evan blasted him in college. I’m Just saying tho!
August 29th, 2019 at 6:39 am
Stewart is probably the safety to be cut in week 1. The Bucs can potentially resign him after game 1, otherwise his salary is guaranteed. Evans likely stays at safety as part of his rookie money is already guaranteed.
August 29th, 2019 at 6:43 am
@ZACHARY SEIFTER “CB5- Jamel Dean:….forcing the coaching staff to make room on the roster for him.”
Are you kidding? Funny choice of words. Dean was a 3rd draft pick – no way the Bucs were going to let him go. Secondly, when he was healthy, he outplayed Sean Murphy-Bunting. I had him the #3 CB on the outside. Bucs were not force to keep find him a roster spot, he earned it.
August 29th, 2019 at 6:47 am
@WhattheBuc “Stewart is probably the safety to be cut in week 1.”
Stewart is not a safety. He was initially moved there this spring but the Bucs moved him back to nickel corner as he had good blitz size. According to BA, nickel is a starting position and Stewart was the top nickel in camp. He excelled in preseason at this position. So far one of the best improved players this years. No way he gets cut this year.
August 29th, 2019 at 6:48 am
Can’t say I buy the Justin Evans argument. So Licht will cut him to keep Darian Stewart….AND have to pay Justin Evans for 2 more years??
Don’t see it
August 29th, 2019 at 6:51 am
PRAY for Jameis !
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Offensive Tackles
LT1- Donovan Smith: The Bucs’ starting left tackle is guaranteed $27 million through the 2020 season.
LT2- Cole Boozer: Having gotten looks at the LT1 spot during practice, it doesn’t look like anybody has the upper-hand on Boozer for this spot.
RT1- Demar Dotson: The longest-tenured Buc and once again atop the roster at right tackle.
RT2- Caleb Benenoch: A downright mess at right guard last year, it’s more of the same this year at tackle. However, nobody on the roster has looked any better, unfortunately.
Offensive Guards
LG1- Ali Marpet: Arguably the best player on the Bucs’ offensive line.
LG2- Zack Bailey: The undrafted rookie out of South Carolina plays with toughness and grit. It will be enough to earn him a spot on the team.
RG1- Alex Cappa: Before his struggles against the Browns, Cappa looked to be having a heck of a preseason after a strong camp. He is still far ahead of his competitors here.
RG2- Earl Watford: Commonly referred to as, “Earl of Watford,” by The Sage on his podcast, Watford is another player Arians is familiar with.
Centers
C1- Ryan Jensen: Easy choice
C2- Nate Trewyn: He’s the only other true center on the roster.
August 29th, 2019 at 6:54 am
@Zachary Seifter “Justin Evans: Unless placed on some kind of injured list, it’s hard to imagine Arians keeping Evans.”
Got to be kidding here too. He was second round pick. While BA no loyalty to him, Licht does and it would be black eye to release him with great potential. Evans was a decent safety in a bad scheme. BA knows this and he flashed enough on tape last year to warrant a spot. Also too many injury at safety this year in camp not to keep 5 safeties.
August 29th, 2019 at 6:59 am
10 OL too much. 9 at most. 6 wr and 4 TEs? No way cinchy and bond dont make team.
August 29th, 2019 at 7:05 am
Justin Evans will not get cut
August 29th, 2019 at 7:16 am
I agree…..Cichy & Bond should make the team……at least 1 of them…..That probably means we will only have 5 WRs…..Miller to the PS….
It is a luxury to carry 3 QBs…..
We are cutting some good players…..the last 3 or 4 Olinemen can be upgraded.
August 29th, 2019 at 7:22 am
Bond is making the team that must have been an oversight.
August 29th, 2019 at 7:37 am
Sure, it’s fun to take a whack at it, but the effort has to be accurate. Pretty accurate anyway. There are a lot of changes to be made here, many mentioned above in comments.
3 QB’ s ain’t happening, Boozer, Benenoch, nope and NOT cutting Justin Evans. Dude. Are they cutting Ryan Smith for that sloppy fool in M J Stewart?! We have enough Safeties also.
August 29th, 2019 at 7:42 am
Luckiest Buc is Ryan Smith…..if not for his suspension, he wouldn’t make this team….and he still may not when he comes off…..
August 29th, 2019 at 7:44 am
Keep: Justin Evans, Bond and/or Cichy…
Cut: Gabbert, Ellington, and the worst o-line guy
August 29th, 2019 at 7:46 am
Wouldn’t surprise me if they choose to go with a cheaper option at punter. I also don’t see Scotty Miller making the 53. He was a great camp love story but it’s not like he was a dominant WR in the SEC or another top football conference coming out of college. He had a lot to prove and didn’t.
August 29th, 2019 at 7:50 am
I also agree, Cichy & Bond make it. No Boozer, Beneoch or Spence. Miller PS. And no way Dean doesn’t make the 53
August 29th, 2019 at 7:50 am
Yeah I think we go 9 OL. Wouldn’t surprise me if we kept another safety. Still think in regular season gonna see some big nickel and different looks with lots of dbs on the field. Whenever I see ledbetter I always want to day bedwetter. I’m sure he’s scary enough other kids growing up wouldn’t say it thoigh lol
August 29th, 2019 at 8:01 am
@BFFL ” No way cinchy and bond dont make team.”
Totally missed this. Agreed. Very likely both will make the team. minus center Nate Trewyn for bond. Minus Scotty Miller for Cinchy.
Also minus LS Zach Triner – There won’t be problem resigning him after the 53 cut when a few players are moved to the practice squad.
Cut RB Andre Ellington – We can sign him later. No one will pick up his contract.
Place QB Gabbert on the PUP list. Great in the film room but did not show enough in preseason to warrant a 53 spot.
August 29th, 2019 at 8:05 am
Devante Bond will be on this team. I would keep him over Spence.
August 29th, 2019 at 8:21 am
There is a 0% chance Scotty Miller makes this team over Devonte Bond. He is a solid backup and great special teamer.
August 29th, 2019 at 8:29 am
Bond for sure makes the team. Cichy is a ‘maybe yes, maybe no’ at this point (too oft-injured in the past but he has shown flashes). And cutting Justin Evans ain’t gonna happen.
What I don’t understand is why you kept 27 offense Zach but only 23 defense. There aren’t 27 offensive guys on the Bucs who should even be in the NFL. Nah, I still think they’ll go 25 offense, 25 defense, 3 S/Ts. Do away with the 3rd QB for starters. For another, we don’t need 10 OLinemen (9 will do).
August 29th, 2019 at 8:34 am
This is one of the first times the Bucs will be cutting several good (didn’t say great) players. Hopefully, we can make some trades and upgrade the o-line for depth or more.
August 29th, 2019 at 8:37 am
Alabamabuc, DARION STEWART
August 29th, 2019 at 8:38 am
Jenna Laine has us keeping 2 kickers and cutting Tanner Hudson! If this happens, I fear for the closet object near me! HULK SMASH!!!
August 29th, 2019 at 8:39 am
Then again, maybe Jenna was smashed
August 29th, 2019 at 8:53 am
I’ll be surprised if Nacho takes one snap at DE this season he’s a DT and has played really well this camp. People, JPP won’t line at olb much if any at all. BA and Todd didn’t have John Abraham or Dwight Freeney do any of that. They’re DE, they rush the QB not drop into coverage. Bond will make this team easy, they know he’s an asset at olb(rushing) and on Show Teams. The only slight mistake will be allowing Scnhell to walk in favor of Miller.
August 29th, 2019 at 8:54 am
No way in hell Boozer makes the team. Lol
August 29th, 2019 at 8:56 am
Spencer Snchell is Wes Welker 2.0,if you see this BA please don’t let him walk.
August 29th, 2019 at 8:59 am
Spencer Schnell is ready right now, Scotty clearly needs development.
August 29th, 2019 at 9:22 am
Dare Ogunbowale will be RB1 at some point this season. Barber is just bleh and i dont trust rojo yet.
Dare has looked like the best RB we have.
August 29th, 2019 at 9:34 am
Does Cole Boozer really only weigh 275 pounds, like he’s listed as? If he makes this team (we can’t find anyone better), we’re in big trouble.
August 29th, 2019 at 9:44 am
Really cool to read these type of articles. That being said, some of the reasons for players making the roster sound like he hasn’t actually watched the games…
August 29th, 2019 at 9:57 am
Very close to my own prediction from August 8th (click my name to see it).
I left off Nacho, which I have since changed my mind on but have not updated the prediction yet. I think he makes the team as well.
Otherwise, very very similar.
August 29th, 2019 at 10:00 am
Joe in Michigan Says
“Does Cole Boozer really only weigh 275 pounds, like he’s listed as? If he makes this team (we can’t find anyone better), we’re in big trouble.”
He won’t last long. Bruce himself said that just because some players make the roster, that doesn’t mean they made the team. Thery could quickly be replaced after other teams make cuts.
Boozer looked horrible…but keep in mind he is a rookie (I think).
August 29th, 2019 at 10:16 am
I dunno.
That’s 27 on O, 23 on D.
Not a good balance.
August 29th, 2019 at 10:16 am
I expect at least a couple of O-line guys to appear after the cuts that will be upgrades over the back ups we have now. It would not surprise me to see an RB grabbed in the waiver wire. I agree with the other folks that Bond certainly makes the 53.
August 29th, 2019 at 10:35 am
@Joe — Swampbuc in the wilds of Wisconsin, different IP address alert.
Compliments to Zach. He provided solid, entertaining content and must have been a hard worker in your eyes to earn the title of Manbeast, which would not be bestowed lightly. And he’s a Gator. Thumbsup!
On the final 53 —. I would expect two OL cut from other teams to replace Benenoch and another backup not named Watford.
Since Ellington wasn’t on a team in 2018, I think they can let him go and re-sign him later as need arises.
I agree with the TE list, but honestly would love to see Leggett stay, maybe he could make the practice squad.
I disagree with the DB projections, especially on safety. Justin Evans will definitely make the final 53, there is enough film on him to show BA and Bowles what kind of player he is.
I do agree with a CB not named – Ryan Smith’s days are over. He showed me in the Browns game he still can’t cover.
August 29th, 2019 at 10:40 am
You don’t keep an old safety over a 3rd year safety with tons of potential. Arians said Evans was extremely athletic and smart. No way he cuts him. Stewart has ZERO upside and probably not an impact special teams player. He and Arrington can be cut and brought back in case of injury. Not the case with Evans. He’s got great potential.
August 29th, 2019 at 11:28 am
MJ Stewart is going no where. He was lights out in game three with the starters. No doubt he’s going to excel in Bowels defense.
August 29th, 2019 at 11:45 am
Man that depth and some of those names give me indigestion.
August 29th, 2019 at 11:55 am
And for the love of god please stop putting Jones back to field kickoffs.
August 29th, 2019 at 12:26 pm
I think we keep Evans & Schneil gets the last WR spot over Miller.
August 29th, 2019 at 10:12 pm
Zach you’ve been solid but putting that bum Stewart in over Evans is hilarious man. Come on
August 29th, 2019 at 10:19 pm
Next year I’d skip this idea of guessing the 53. You’re gonna have more then a few misses here and look silly
August 29th, 2019 at 10:56 pm
Ruben Holcomb is a hard woker and great listener. He could help the team out in any fashion. He plays on O line #70.
August 29th, 2019 at 11:13 pm
Thanks, Buccaneer Bonzai. We need more and/or better depth at Tackle, I don’t see Demar Dotson making it through the entire season. I have zero faith in Benenoch anywhere on the line.
August 30th, 2019 at 1:26 am
10 OL may be a stretch. Probably have 8 OL and 5 receivers and add 3 defensive players.
Honestly, I don’t think Watson or Miller should make the team and I wouldn’t be shocked if we trade Brate in the next 48 hours.