Bucs final 53-man roster projection

With final roster cuts just hours away, the Buccaneers have a few big decisions to make at the fringes of the depth chart. While the starting lineup is all but set, certain backup positions remain in play. Most notably, the Bucs must decide whether they will carry three quarterbacks into the regular

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What is the story about?

With final roster cuts just hours away, the Buccaneers have a few big decisions to make at the fringes of the depth chart. While the starting lineup is all but set, certain backup positions remain in play.

Most notably, the Bucs must decide whether they will carry three quarterbacks into the regular season by keeping undrafted rookie Jalon Daniels on the main roster. They also have big decisions at outside linebacker, where one player's unprecedented plan to return to college could complicate their plans elsewhere, and safety, where injuries and waiver considerations are major factors.

Here is the Bucs' final 53-man roster projection before final cuts are due on August 30:

Quarterback

Baker MayfieldJake BrowningJalon Daniels

While Jalon Daniels' disappointing

performance in the Bucs' preseason finale likely sunk any momentum towards becoming QB2, he likely did enough to convince Tampa Bay's front office that they would not be able to stash him on the practice squad.

Running back

Bucky IrvingKenneth GainwellSean Tucker

Sean Tucker did not have the best preseason, but neither did Josh Williams. Tucker's experience, special teams contribution, and price tag should tip the scales in his favor.

Wide receiver

Chris GodwinEmeka EgbukaJalen McMillanTed HurstTez JohnsonKam Johnson

Special teams is the inflection point at the end of the receiver depth chart. While there is a case to be made that second-year WR Garrett Green is the superior receiver, Johnson offers more as a returner, which is more valuable given their places on the depth chart.

Tight end

Cade OttonPayne DurhamKo KieftBauer Sharp

Devin Culp loses his roster spot to rookie Bauer Sharp, who may already be a better receiver and is definitely a better blocker.

Offensive line

Tristan WirfsBen BredesonGraham BartonCody MauchLuke GoedekeBen ChukwumaJustin SkuleElijah KleinBilly Schrauth

There is some possibility that Skule, Chukwuma, or Schrauth land on injured reserve before final cuts, in which case Paul Rubelt and Dan Feeney have a shot to make the roster. Elijah Klein did not have a great night at right tackle against the Jaguars, but he has cross-trained at every interior position and played well at guard in the preseason.

Defensive line

Vita VeaCalijah KanceyA'Shawn RobinsonRakeem Nunez-RochesElijah RobertsDeMonte Capeheart

Former Ravens lineman Jayson Jones made a strong case to make the roster this preseason. However, the Bucs tend to favor their draft picks, at least for the first year or so. DeMonte Capeheart has had some ups and downs in his first preseason, but still has plenty of upside thanks to his athletic profile.

EDGE/Outside linebacker

Yaya DiabyReuben Bain Jr.Muhammed Al-QuadinDavid WalkerAnthony Nelson

Probably the hardest cut the Bucs will have to make is Jack Pyburn, who was one of their best defenders in the preseason. He led the team with four sacks and was an overall menace on the line of scrimmage. His intent to return to LSU without an active roster spot, not to mention his exposure to the waiver wire, should have the Bucs seriously considering keeping him on the final roster.

Inside linebacker

Alex AnzaloneJosiah TrotterSirVocea DennisCaden Fordham

Christian Rozeboom seems destined to start the season on injured reserve, giving preseason standout Caden Fordham a shot at the opening day roster. Fordham is undersized, but he brings a little more in coverage than Tampa Bay's other linebackers while also offering solid special teams play.

Cornerback

Zyon McCollumJacob ParrishBenjamin MorrisonKeionte ScottAyden GarnesDamarion Williams

It has been clear for a while that undrafted rookie Ayden Garnes and Damarion "Pepe" Williams deserved to be on the Bucs' Week 1 roster. Garnes could see significant action early as he has been more impactful than last year's second-round pick Benjamin Morrison. Williams may not be the strongest tackler, but his coverage abilities are too valuable to keep off the roster.

Safety

Antoine Winfield Jr.Tykee SmithMiles KillebrewJJ Roberts

The Bucs face a dilemma at safety. JJ Roberts was the star of last year's training camp, but a torn ACL kept Tampa Bay from seeing what he could do when the games counted. That same injury has largely kept Roberts off the field this preseason. Meanwhile, veteran Ifeatu Melifonwu has been a steady presence in the defensive backfield since signing with Tampa Bay at the start of training camp.

The reason why the Bucs could keep Roberts over Melifonwu, at least at first, is waivers. As a vested veteran, Melifonwu is not subject to the waiver wire and could be convinced to stick around on the practice squad only to be elevated in the short term. Roberts has no such flexibility and could be poached if only because he is not quite ready to play.