Following Sunday's roster cuts, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers have their initial 53-man squad. What stands out?
Sunday marked the deadline for final roster cuts around the NFL, leaving the Tampa Bay Buccaneers with their official 53-man team heading into the 2026-2027 NFL season.
Offensively, I covered the top two storylines, with undrafted free agent rookie quarterback Jalon Daniels vaulting to the backup position and Sean Tucker earning a new contract as Tampa's RB3.
Daniels had started the preseason as QB4 on the depth chart, lined up behind Connor Bazelak and Jake Browning.
But, after an injury to Browning and Daniels looking dynamic in the Bucs' two preseason victories, he earned the QB2 role.
Browning and Bazelak were both waived, with Browning reportedly being offered a spot to return on the practice squad. But, the former Cincinnati Bengal backup declined and will look for another team.
Tucker, on the other hand, was in a tightly-contested battle for the third running back spot, eventually beating out second-year tailback Josh Williams.
Alongside Kenneth Gainwell and Bucky Irving, Tampa has three running backs on the roster.
The wide receiver room had little surprises, with Kameron Williams claiming the final spot on the roster, beating out veteran David Sills V.
One of the more-notable decisions on the offensive side of the ball is the team opting to keep four tight ends - Cade Otton, Ko Kieft, Payne Durham, and Bauer Sharp.
Otton will of course be the starter, with Durham and Sharp beating out Devin Culp for secondary positions within the room.
Kieft provides value as a blocking tight end, frequently lining up in the backfield or tight to the line of scrimmage.
Tampa also elected to keep ten players on the offensive line, including former UDFA Ben Chukwuma and Justin Skule.
Last season, the Bucs' offensive line was beat up, with significant players missing time. This season, the line should be more cohesive, but there is solid depth behind the starters in case of injuries.
Defensively, there weren't many big surprises either.
But, the Bucs did part ways with some high draft picks of the past, including former second-round linebacker Chris Braswell.
After being taken No. 57 overall in the 2024 NFL Draft, Braswell struggled to find his footing within Tampa's defense, recording just 48 total tackles and 2.5 sacks in two seasons.
With the team drafting Josiah Trotter and adding Christian Rozeboom in free agency, it seemed unlikely that Braswell would find a way on the roster.
UDFA rookie defensive back Ayden Garnes is another Jalon Daniels-type situation where you just have to appreciate his hard work and dedication to making the team.
Garnes had a pick-6 against the New York Jets in the preseason, and looked the part as one of the more-dynamic players on head coach Todd Bowles' defense throughout training camp.
With Jamel Dean's departure in free agency, and question marks surrounding Benjamin Morrison's health and consistency, Garnes could see playtime right away.
Having just five defensive backs on the roster could mean the Bucs are looking to add through the waiver wire, as teams can put claims in for waived players throughout the day on Monday.
Sean Murphy-Bunting is one player who could be targeted by Tampa, as the former Bucs was released by the Arizona Cardinals.
Bringing in a player like Murphy-Bunting would add veteran presence to the room, and give depth to a smaller cornerbacking unit.
The roster as a whole has gotten younger, with the Bucs ranking in the middle of the pack for average roster age.
This is a good sign of things to come for Bowles, who is looking to bring Tampa back to the top of the NFC South and make his case for being the head coach past this season.
