Jeremy Fowler: Bucs Roster Is “Really Good”
August 6th, 2026
Does he have the horses?
It’s great to be August warriors, but Joe would rather a team be December and January gladiators.
You don’t see too many people thinking the Bucs can win 10 games, even playing in a garbage division. Good teams in garbage divisions usually mop up.
But Jeremy Fowler of ESPN seems to think the Bucs roster is undervalued.
What’s sort of lost in the contract issues is that this roster is really good. It’s loaded at receiver and on the offensive line, the latter of which Mayfield called “a top-three unit” when healthy. Last season, center Graham Barton was the only starter to play more than 12 games. Everyone’s healthy now. Wide receiver Emeka Egbuka should improve in Year 2 (looked as though he hit a rookie wall late last year), and several people with the Bucs have noted that Chris Godwin Jr. has his explosion back. On defense, the front seven is much improved.
Joe will give Fowler that. The front seven appears to be much improved (if Vita Vea plays). Starting inside linebackers should be improved. Safeties are good.
But the cornerbacks? Joe is a big Jacob Parrish fan, but he’s only started a few games at outside corner.
And what about Zyon McCollum? Yeah, the past week he’s looked pretty solid in camp. He also looked solid in camp last year. How’d that go?
Joe has fewer questions about the defense after a week of training camp. But Joe still has too many questions to feel comfortable that the Bucs defense won’t drag the team down.
As the great eastern philosopher Moe Howard famously said, “We shall see.”
August 6th, 2026 at 3:54 am
The roster is good. Todd has the horses but can he do anything with the talent. Seems like he always does something to cost the team a couple of wins. It’s like what Mike Evans sees in San Fran, a genius head coach who can dial up plays and adjust to major injuries on the roster, but while he complimented the Tampa area as a place to live, his Tampa teammates and even the front office, Mike chose to say nothing about the head coach in Tampa. That in itself says a whole lot, does it not?
August 6th, 2026 at 4:06 am
A secondary’s best friend has always been a pass rush.
August 6th, 2026 at 4:18 am
The lack of success this season will be due to the same issue it’s been since the ’22 season, and it continues to have nothing to do with roster talent.
August 6th, 2026 at 4:32 am
We need an article about our corners.
1. Zion
2. Parish
3. Morrison
4. Scott
5. Hayes
6.
7.
Who do we have Joe?
How is Rashad Wisdom? How is JJ Roberts?
Who do we have from last years practice squad?
Which UDFA do we have?
Please Joe.
À big article about our cornerback room
August 6th, 2026 at 6:03 am
as a former protection agent for the team I can say without reservation,I have a 100k being placed on this team bring back the Lombardi from Los Angeles. Bain will be the Defensive rookie of the year. the defense will be number 1, and the offense will be top five. C’mon Glazer’s pay Baker and Vea…..
August 6th, 2026 at 6:13 am
So, Joe, you don’t agree with Fowler that the Bucs roster is undervalued by most in the national media?
August 6th, 2026 at 6:36 am
A fair bit of our pass coverage woes last year owed to our 2 ILB’s, they’re both gone now
August 6th, 2026 at 7:14 am
True
August 6th, 2026 at 7:19 am
The roster is solid. Definitely thinks it’s a top 10 roster in the league. CB’s, QB, TE are the biggest question marks. If Baker plays hot and limit critical int’s the team can compete for the NFC chip. Coaching will be critical. OC should be good, ST should be good. It’s on Todd to lock-in on being a great DC
August 6th, 2026 at 7:21 am
Teacherman:
Watch out for Ayden Garnes.
He’s an undrafted rookie CB who is emerging in camp. He stood out in rookie mino camp. Looked even better without pads the first week of camp, then has continued to shine this week with pads. Not only will he make the team, he has a real shot at playing meaningful snaps this year.
I still think they add a vet after cuts for depth.
August 6th, 2026 at 7:24 am
I wouldn’t call the entire roster “good”.
There are certain areas of both strength and weakness.
Strengths – Oline, WRs, kicker, safety
Weakness – ILB, TE, CBs
Mediocre – Dline, OLB, Punter, RBs, QBs
Overall I give this roster a solid C – AVERAGE NFL roster…
August 6th, 2026 at 8:12 am
imo the roster is good enough to win 11games + a playoff game….but obviously im a fan lol
GO BUCS!!!!
August 6th, 2026 at 8:35 am
Stay healthy,they’ll be just fine!
August 6th, 2026 at 8:44 am
The defense will be better than last year for sure. Don’t know how much. 😉
August 6th, 2026 at 8:52 am
@ 813
I hope you are right bud.
If Vea stays and plays like a good boy and Baker stops pouting we might have a chance at a 10 win season.
However – I don’t believe the Vea situation will workout and even if Baker is “happy” he is still just a mediocre NFL QB.
All signs are pointing towards a 7-10 season…
At least Todd Bowles will retire after this season.
That will be nice.
August 6th, 2026 at 9:01 am
The team has some good players on the roster. However, that does not apply to the CB position. The team has one legimate cb, maybe, that is Parrish. I say that because he is only in his second year and still new to the outside corner position. McColumn, I am sorry, but he should not be starting after last year. Yes last year he was good in camp, then the season started. I don’t know , I say he has a lot to prove. Presently , until he shows otherwise I have no faith. Morrison, I don’t think he can stay healthy enough long enough to maybe develop into a real cb. It is sad to say, but it appears his body just can’t hold up. Yes I think the defense will drag this team down, especially without Vea.
August 6th, 2026 at 9:18 am
Roster: Gooood
HC/DC: Stinx
August 6th, 2026 at 9:28 am
The floater in the punch bowl has not been removed yet.
Remove Bowles and this team instantly improves dramatically.
Keep him and it won’t matter how good the roster is built.
We have four years of proof to that fact. The results are in.
And the results are putrid. Fire Bowles Now!!!
August 6th, 2026 at 9:37 am
Marine
we’re going to have to take the good with the bad…the fan in me screams 11wins but reality says 7-9 wins…
and i agree, that will get bowles outta here
GO BUCS!!!!
August 6th, 2026 at 10:10 am
Better roster than last year, when everyone was saying 10 wins.
This ain’t the dolphins, folks.
August 6th, 2026 at 11:49 am
not sure I would say “really good”. Even if he’s correct we have Bowles. O/U is around 7 maybe 8 depending on injuries.
August 6th, 2026 at 12:24 pm
The two things that will drag this team down is:
Todd Bowles
Injuries
Not worried about the talent. It’s good enough to get to a divisional game and maybe even a conf championship.
August 6th, 2026 at 1:09 pm
@cosmo,Get rid of him and mayfield now! Right now! Suh for HC Vea for QB ,Crap Vea is in such great shape he can play Dline also …UGH ..
You gotta suck it up 1 more year…
August 6th, 2026 at 1:23 pm
@CosmoKramer
Lynchmob ?
August 6th, 2026 at 4:36 pm
Same coach same qb and results, some ooohs and ahhhhhs then ohhhh emmm geeez nooooo! At the end of the season we’re were hoping for a few wins to make it to the playoffs and then exit left