Projecting The 53-Man Roster
August 25th, 2026
Will he survive “The Turk?”
In less than a week, the Bucs will decide their initial 53-man roster. But in the immediate hours, if not days, after Sunday’s 6 p.m. roster deadline, there always seems to be roster jockeying.
Over at ESPN, Jenna Laine decided to take a stab at the 53-man roster the Bucs will submit to the league office on Sunday afternoon. She doesn’t have too many surprises.
For those who watched the WFLA-TV Channel 8 broadcast of the Chiefs-Bucs game Saturday night, viewers heard several times Rondé Barber drop some hints, and some not-so-subtle hints, that No. 3 running back Sean Tucker is on thin ice.
The Joe typing here has watched every Bucs practice other than the two in New Jersey. The suggestion Tucker, with his resume, is in trouble when you have two smallish guys on the roster ahead of him is just wild to Joe.
Tucker also carries a $3.5 million cap hit if he’s cut.
Tucker has been sharp in practice both carrying and catching the rock. He often gets snaps with the “ones.” That’s usually a good tell a guy isn’t on thin ice.
Of course, stranger things have happened. And Joe knows who Barber hangs with and talks to at One Buc Palace. So Joe is not easily dismissing Barber’s words.
Laine also doesn’t believe Tucker will get bounced. She has Tucker as just one of three running backs the Bucs keep.
At receiver, Laine doesn’t see a spot for Dean Patterson, who has had a good camp. Why? He doesn’t (yet) play special teams.
(Joe often repeats the following story: A general manager at the combine long ago told Joe if a guy isn’t a starter and he doesn’t play special teams, he’s an endangered species.)
And as Joe has been typing for weeks, Laine believes Bauer Sharp indeed makes the cut ahead of Devin Culp.
Joe saw this coming early in camp. Sharp makes a play daily and he has had snaps with the first-team offense. Culp is mired with the third-team offense with maybe some snaps with the second-team. He may make a play or two a week.
Defensively, Laine projects the Chris Braswell era ends, and the Bucs will wash their hands of their 2024 second-round pick.
Saturday night was telling: Braswell was living in the Bucs’ backfield all summer for a reason. He was going up against the trash Bucs backup offensive linemen, the same group that nearly got Jake Browning maimed by the Chiefs’ future IT specialists and bartenders.
Laine expects Luke Haggard, who looked pretty haggard Saturday night, and Elijah Klein not to return at offensive line. And at inside linebacker, head-butting John Bullock will be handed his parting gifts.
Joe knows Braswell’s exit will be celebrated and Bucs AC/DC-loving general manager Jason Licht will be raked over the coals for drafting him. Joe can just read it now: the worst second-round pick in Bucs history since Roberto Aguayo.
Well, Joe would say Aguayo was more valuable than Braswell, who has a grand total of 2.5 sacks in two seasons. At least Aguayo won a game.
August 25th, 2026 at 7:13 am
We’ve seen zero of Dennis this preseason, and no buzz from camp. He’s in a contract year, and I see no reason to give him a second contract. He could be moved, or cut. What do you do with Morrison? If he hasn’t practiced, or played, how does he make the team let alone be the number one backup?
August 25th, 2026 at 7:18 am
Dennis is making about as much noise as Ben Bredeson. Which is to say he’ ptobably just been doing his job. Nothing special, nothing horrible. I’m pretty sure if he was getting torched or botching tackles in camp Joe would have said something by now.
As far as Braswell goes, I don’t want to live in a Bucs fan world where he stays but Nelly gets cut. Not that Anthony Nelson is all that, but he’s better that THAT.
August 25th, 2026 at 7:18 am
I keep hearing RFA tenders are not guaranteed so cutting Tucker would save $3.5 mil on the cap. And that along with Josh Williams not being a drop off (or maybe better) is the big reason.
August 25th, 2026 at 7:19 am
I think Tucker is a very good back and the only one with home-run speed. Keep him! Yes, Braswell has been poor but his problem seems between the ears. Most big boards had him as a second round pick so he was likely a miss for other teams too – unless he’s a victim of Bowles’ edge-rush curse.
August 25th, 2026 at 7:28 am
I think you gotta keep 4 RB’s anyways. Especially considering what happened to Bucky last season. I wouldn’t waive Williams.
I do agree that releasing tucker would seem pretty non-sensical. Never mind the cap hit, he had 7 TD’s in short work last season, is short yardage/goal line back more than any RB’s we have, he’s stepped up admirably and produced every time he’s gotten to start or get a heavy workload, can return kicks, etc. I think seeing Williams in wk 2 vs better competition was more to see if they wanna keep 4 RB’s or not and were impressed by his Wk 1 performance. I do think Gruden was right about saying they need to see more from Tucker on Special Teams to warrant his current contract number. And that’s also why someone else will get a roster spot over Patterson.
Only thing stopping Patterson from gaining a spot is he offers nothing so far to Teams. But I wanna see him stay with the Bucs on PS and keep developing. I wouldn’t hate if they kept him anyways either. But I also don’t think you can let Kam Johnson go. He brings a different element to our offense and WR room and also is our best returner. I’d rather keep Johnson & Patterson over Sills (although Sills did make a NICE special teams play as a Gunner and has experience in the system – if he was gostarting the experience in the system)
But we got a handful of UDFA’s w/ some slim to decent to solid chances of making this 53-man roster: Daniels, Garnes, Patterson, Fordham, Pyburn (that’s some pretty d@mn good UDFA and secondary scouting folks!)
August 25th, 2026 at 7:30 am
Tucker is a SAVINGS of $3.5M, $0 Cap Hit (Dead Money)… Joe needs to get with the program
[Spotrac has Tucker $3.5 million against the cap. 🤷♂️ — Joe]
August 25th, 2026 at 7:32 am
Give Mo Kamara Braswells’ soon to be vacated roster spot. No more spending years waiting to see what guys got at OLB. Did it with JTS, did it with Marques Watts, and we’re doing it with Braswell where he’s not even as good as Cam Gill was for us as a part-timer.
Yaya
Bain jr
AQM
Nelly
Walker
Kamara
That should be our OLB/Hunter-gatherer unit.
August 25th, 2026 at 7:40 am
Jenna did a solid job but I think Caden Fordham needs to be on the team. That guy was everywhere the ball was. Maybe the practice squad but I think he was providing a lot of juice.
August 25th, 2026 at 8:04 am
I bet the Bucs have a board of possible cut down names of older proven starters especially a versatile offensive lineman and quarterback.
It’s getting real… real fast!
August 25th, 2026 at 8:05 am
Jenna looks spot on with her picks….
August 25th, 2026 at 8:29 am
I would not be surprised if Sharp makes the team for special teams play, but he looked pretty bad against the Jets, can’t catch and can’t run routes. The guy is no where as good as Culp and belongs on the practice squad. Braswell needs to go and getting rid of Tucker would be a huge mistake. He would end up in Carolina, Jacksonville or with the Saints.
August 25th, 2026 at 8:31 am
Question for Joe???
Can Ray Finkle make a come back?
August 25th, 2026 at 8:36 am
“the worst second-round pick in Bucs history since Roberto Aguayo.”
LOL
You took the words from my mouf…
Maybe our “ROH” GM should trade his 2nd round picks for multiple 3rd and 4th rounders…
Benjamin Morrison
Chris Braswell
Logan Hall
Kyle Trask
Ronald Jones
M.J. Stewart
Justin Evans
Roberto Aguayo
Noah Spence
Austin Seferian-Jenkins
I understand you can’t “hit” on every pick BUT this list is brutal and incompetent…
August 25th, 2026 at 8:44 am
Can we cut Bowles from the team? That would change the trajectory of the organization.
He’s like a boil on our backside that just won’t go away. A festering puss filled abrasion.
Doctor, can you please remove that pesky thing. It’s really dragging me down.
August 25th, 2026 at 8:45 am
Our “ROH” 3rd round picks…
Chris Godwin
Alex Cappa
Jamel Dean
Mike Edwards
Robert Hainsey
Rachaad White
YaYa Diaby
Jalen McMillan
Tykee Smith
Ted Hurst?
This list looks way better than our “ROH” GMs 2nd round picks…
Just sayin…
August 25th, 2026 at 8:53 am
time to cut your losses jason.
August 25th, 2026 at 9:04 am
Cut Bowles. Problem solved.
August 25th, 2026 at 9:10 am
Is it possible to ask the Head Coach to turn in his play sheet?
August 25th, 2026 at 9:23 am
as a GM, you should not miss on 2nd rounders.
Braswell became a starter on the edge playing in all 14 games, recording 8 sacks and 10.5 tackles for loss, and earning second-team All-SEC honors in 2023.
He did not even come close to living up to those #’s for 2 seasons with the Bucs combined. Question is why? Did Licht over value his play or did Bowles sink the kid with his mad science defense scheme. Or is Braswell just not that good?
Whatever the reason, what a wasted picked.
August 25th, 2026 at 9:36 am
Will be interesting to see if Nelson makes the cut as that position group is much deeper and releasing Nelson would save 4.5 million that could be used to pick up an experienced CB after final cuts. Lack of depth and experience at CB is worrisome.
August 25th, 2026 at 9:55 am
You shouldn’t miss on 2nd rounders… but lots of 2nd rounders don’t pan out.
August 25th, 2026 at 10:11 am
How long to keep Kieft? I like him. I see him make a couple good key blocks each year. I don’t notice him on special teams all that much. He is very limited.
I would rather they keep the fourth running back or seventh cornerback, who I do notice on special teams.
August 25th, 2026 at 10:13 am
Just cut hair on Braswell. He played and was invisible again. Someone like Mo Kamara is more promising
August 25th, 2026 at 10:18 am
no question nelly stays on the roster ^^^^^^
August 25th, 2026 at 10:21 am
cutting elijah simmons would be rough too…as per jenna
August 25th, 2026 at 10:24 am
Adam from NY – agreed
I’d like to keep him around somehow too
August 25th, 2026 at 10:46 am
I think Braswell will be the victim of Jaylon Daniels making the 53 man roster
August 25th, 2026 at 11:24 am
Bucs need to grab an OL and DB from FA.
The final roster will include guys that aren’t currently on the team.
August 25th, 2026 at 11:26 am
“Tucker also carries a $3.5 million cap hit if he’s cut”
Over the cap says only $155k of Tucker’s contract is guaranteed – which includes the $5k signing bonus he already received……
August 25th, 2026 at 11:30 am
I put this 53 man roster projection together and posted it early yesterday.
This looks like the place to re-post:
Offense: 25
QB – Mayfield, Daniels
RB – Irving, Gainwell, Tucker, Williams
WR – Godwin, Egbuka, McMillan, Hurst, Tez Johnson, Kam Johnson
TE – Otton, Durham, Kieft, Sharp
OL – Wirfs. Bredeson, Barton, Mauch, Goedeke, Chukwuma, Skule, Feeney, Schrouth
Defense: 25
DL – Vea, Kancey, Robinson, Roberts, Nunez-Roches, Capehart
OLB – Diaby, Bain, Walker, AQM, Nelson
ILB – Anzalone, Trotter, Rozeboom, Dennis
CB – McCollum, Parrish, Scott, Morrison, Garnes, Hayes
S – Winfield, Smith, Melifonwu, Killebrew
ST: 3
K – McLaughlin
P – Dixon
LS – Deckers
Practice Squad (if not claimed off waivers by another team)
QB – Bazelak
RB – Kpeenu
WR – Patterson, Greene
TE – Culp
OL- Rubelt, Foerner, Haggard, Hutmacher
DL – Simmons, Jones
OLB – Kamara, Pyburn
ILB – Fordham, Jackson
CB – Parodie
S – Wisdom
I would cut Browning – but if the Bucs feel they have to keep 3 QBs because of Daniels’ lack of experience – then RB Williams comes off the 53 and goes to the PS.
August 25th, 2026 at 11:32 am
Bakerfan, the hardest part of being an NFL GM is figuring out who are the check cashers and who really has a passion for the game. In college it’s about natural talent. These guys can dominate their position without putting in a ton of work. The NFL requires relentless hard work every single day. The players without passion never work out! Add in the nice guy BS the Bucs were looking for and that’s what you get.
August 25th, 2026 at 11:40 am
The only differences between Jenna’s 53 man roster and mine are a couple of DB spots.
She has Damarion Williams as the 6th CB – I think Hayes makes the team at least 1 more year as a special teams ace…..
And Jenna has Wisdom as the 4th Safety – whereas I’m pretty sure Melifonwu will be on the Bucs 2026 roster instead….
August 25th, 2026 at 12:01 pm
Pickgrin, I was thinking about doing a list too…but at this point it would look like I’m copying you. I love that list.
I’m not sure Bowles is smart enough to cut Browning though.
August 25th, 2026 at 12:03 pm
Braswell + A Draft pick for Joey Porter Jr who is in a contract dispute.
August 25th, 2026 at 12:12 pm
I’ve said it probably a dozen times before here :
Braswell = JTS = cut!
August 25th, 2026 at 12:13 pm
The NFL rules sort of allow you to keep 55 players. The Bucs can keep up to two players on IR with a designation that allows them to return to practice in four weeks. Would not be surprised if a DT, WR or RB get put on IR just so the Bucs do not lose them to another team.
August 25th, 2026 at 12:26 pm
Tucker also carries a $3.5 million cap hit if he’s cut.
———-
My understanding is the opposite – the Bucs would save $2.4M vs the cap if they cut Tucker and went with Williams. I’m not nearly as big of a Tucker fan as others, but I’m certainly not cutting him if there is a cap hit, and I’d still be on the fence even when saving $2.4M if that is correct. But in a tight cap scenario, that’s a big number for a 3rd RB. Also, I do think the Bucs might be able to trade Tucker for something, wouldn’t be much, but maybe a conditional 6th, or a 7th.
The fact Tucker was in the game late, and came in after Williams, I think that is what put him on the radar in terms of perhaps being in trouble – assuming the salary is not guaranteed.
August 25th, 2026 at 12:29 pm
We should just start trading our 2nd round picks from now on
August 25th, 2026 at 12:33 pm
@ Pick
That 53 man roster sounds about right to me…
#10 – J. Daniels is Sean King 2.0.
LOL!
August 25th, 2026 at 12:44 pm
Marine Buc Says:
August 25th, 2026 at 12:33 pm
@ Pick
That 53 man roster sounds about right to me…
#10 – J. Daniels is Sean King 2.0.
LOL!
————–
I hope so.
I’ll gladly take our rookie QB getting us a blown call away from being in the SB.
August 25th, 2026 at 12:50 pm
Pickgrin, you forgot somebody….
He was really flashing last training camp til he had the injury…
Haven’t seen any conversation about him though.
JJ ROBERTS – safety..
August 25th, 2026 at 1:13 pm
Bucfan1988 – I didn’t forget about JJ Roberts….
My understanding is that he is still recovering from his serious injury last year.
Not sure when he will be healthy – but it might be a couple/few more months – so for now I have to assume he’s not available. Probably will get some kind of IR designation and be back next year I’m guessing……
August 25th, 2026 at 1:13 pm
Fordham is good. But not an NFL body.
He needs another year or 2 in the weight room.
Nick Jackson and Bullock shouldn’t have been on the team LAST year.
I’d rather keep only 3 MLB. Anzalone, Trotter and Rozeboom. Cut Dennis. Keep an extra OLB. They rotate a lot more and we need them. Dennis needs a fresh start.
I don’t want 3 QBs. Wasted roster spot. Cut Browning. Hell find an another team.
I want 4 RB. Not 3. Keep Josh Williams. Tucker sucks on special teams. Maybe trade him? He’s good. But he’s one of the worst special teamer I’ve ever seen!
Tucker honestly could get a 5th-7th round pick. Do it. He deserves to be a true #2 RB in the NFL. He doesn’t deserve to be on special teams. He can’t tackle or block.
Klein doesn’t cost much. Cut him. Totally useless.
I’d rather have 7 corners. Than 9 offensive line.
Pyburn for special teams. Patterson for special teams. JJ Roberts for special teams .
Elijah Simmons should be kept. I want more beef in the middle.
Sometimes play Vea and Simmons. Crush people.
Go Bucs!
August 25th, 2026 at 1:42 pm
ATrain——
Ray Finkle, aka Sean Young aka Lois Einhorn is a woman.
Even as a psychotic placekicker intent on killing Dan Marino, I’d take her/him as a coach over Bowles, but not much else.
August 25th, 2026 at 2:01 pm
What I don’t understand is why we have a dedicated long snapper. Cross train an offensive lineman or TE or LB to do that. That right there saves you a roster spot.
August 25th, 2026 at 3:28 pm
Rod because it isn’t just THAT easy that’s why.
My cousin played on the first Bucs SB team….long snapper.
Why? Because the one they had sucked and had to be cut like in week 4 or so.
August 25th, 2026 at 7:02 pm
None of Tucker’s RFA tender is guaranteed.
August 25th, 2026 at 7:07 pm
“Blake Says:
August 25th, 2026 at 7:30 am
Tucker is a SAVINGS of $3.5M, $0 Cap Hit (Dead Money)…”
This is correct. RFA contracts are not guaranteed
“[Spotrac has Tucker $3.5 million against the cap. 🤷♂️ — Joe]”
This, too, is correct…..in so much as it says. It only remains correct if Tucker remains on the 53 man active roster.
August 25th, 2026 at 8:39 pm
@Pickgrin
I think I’d put Rivers in there over Greene at WR & Green in there over Jones at DT.
August 25th, 2026 at 9:58 pm
Marine Buc, thanks so much for the research. No. 2’s shouldn’t be automatic starters but they should eventually end up as one. Licht’s No. 2’s have proved to be just horrible yet he doesn’t ever trade them to move up for a better player. He should seriously rethink his position. I am hoping the blind squirrel eventually found an acorn in Trotter. Only time will tell.
August 25th, 2026 at 10:02 pm
Buc1987 – What year was that? I just don’t remember dedicated long snappers being a thing until more recent times. With that said, I will admit I’m not related to any long snappers, so I haven’t followed the position all that closely over the years.
August 25th, 2026 at 10:08 pm
BakerFan Says:
August 25th, 2026 at 9:23 am
as a GM, you should not miss on 2nd rounders.
———
1st rounders have about a 50% hit rate, so I’m not sure how that number jumps to 100% for 2nd rounders.
Also, Licht has pretty consistently hit on his 3rd rounders, which is a lot harder to do.