Projecting the 2022-2023 roster

[Snake]

76 active players with their rights owned by the Buccaneers. More to come I'm sure, prior to training camp. But let's be real, the majority of this roster is solidified. Let's look at offense first.

QBs: Brady-Gabbert-Trask.
Hard to see this changing. I hope Trask can steal the #2 QB job. Maybe Bowles will be a bit less rigid about the "experienced veteran QB at #2" thing. Gabbert stinks.

RBs: Fournette-White-Vaughn-Bernard-K. Barner
LF is the undisputed #1 and that shouldn't change. it's gonna be a battle for the other spots though. I expect the Bucs to bring in other guys to push everyone even more. Bernard is 30 y/o coming off an injury ridden season. Vaughn flashed last season, albeit briefly, but has mostly sucked. $1.5m of cap is freed up by cutting Vaughn with a $500k dead cap hit. White can claim playing time immediately if he shows sure hands and is a dude in pass pro. Bernard is a little tougher to cut, as his $1m is basically fully guaranteed. But we know what he provides in the hands and pass pro department. I consider Vaughn on the block!

idk who "Barner" is. He's owed no guaranteed money.

WRs: Evans-Godwin-Gage-Perriman-Darden-Miller-T. Johnson-C. Grayson
The first four listed are roster locks IMO. It gets murky after that.

Johnson has stunk on ice as the mini-Godwin hopes have died a horrible death. Miller's had some moments with Brady, but little guys getting injured isn't a good thing. Miller can be gotten rid of for $30k. Darden's rookie season was nothing to write home about. It should be a nice battle. I wouldn't be too upset if Julio Jones wants a redemption to show MFers who he really is, for some spare change Licht finds in the couch at One Buc Place.

TEs: Gronk (TBD)-Brate-Otton-Kieft
Brate isn't cuttable after restructuring his deal so many times. So he's sticking. Kieft seems like a practice squad inevitability unless the team plans on carrying 4 TEs. Gronk is coming back. I'm pretty certain of that. Otton will make the team.

OT: Smith-Wirfs-Wells-F. Johnson
We really need Donovan Smith to keep up his iron man status at LT. He takes a month to play himself into shape and that's ok. As long as he stays healthy. We saw what happened when Wirfs went down and Wells had to play the majority of snaps. Fred Johnson is currently penciled in at 2nd LT on the depth chart.

OG: Stinnie-Goedecke-Mason-Molchon-Leverett-Hainsey(???)
Mason starting. One of Stinnie/Goedecke starting on the other side. Bucs retain rights to a few scrubs like Molchon and Leverett to fill out the roster. Whoever doesn't start between Stinnie and Goedecke should backup both G spots. Not trying to disrespect Molchon and Leverett, every team has them.

Hainsey is the interesting one. He played RT at Notre Dame. As a prospect, it was speculated he would have a lot of versatility and was being projected to play LG-C-RG but not tackle due to physical limitations (short arms, slow feet). He's now listed as a C everywhere. He played 31 snaps in 2021 (rookie season). I can't find any information about where those snaps were played along the line. Not sure it matters. Anyway, he'll be 24 this season. if he can't force his way into some playing time, you start to wonder if it's gonna happen here.

OC:
Jensen.

See: Hainsey section above.

[Snake]

I'll throw this out there. In the event Gronk doesn't come back...Otton is the #1 TE, right?

Brady and Leftwich will need to get a bit more creative because they won't have a guy who excels as both a pass-catcher and in-line blocker. more mix-and-matching with personnel. but Otton would be the best overall option at that point imo. Otton's good hands and ability to feel out the defense should put him on good terms with TB12.

[13F11B]

I'll throw this out there. In the event Gronk doesn't come back...Otton is the #1 TE, right?

Brady and Leftwich will need to get a bit more creative because they won't have a guy who excels as both a pass-catcher and in-line blocker. more mix-and-matching with personnel. but Otton would be the best overall option at that point imo. Otton's good hands and ability to feel out the defense should put him on good terms with TB12.

I dunno. Lots of people have bet against Brate for years and he is still with the Buccaneers making plays.

[mdb1958]

Do you mean offensive roster? Maybe you got tired?

Is Don Gardner SMB's competition for iCB?

[mdb1958]

I'll throw this out there. In the event Gronk doesn't come back...Otton is the #1 TE, right?

Brady and Leftwich will need to get a bit more creative because they won't have a guy who excels as both a pass-catcher and in-line blocker. more mix-and-matching with personnel. but Otton would be the best overall option at that point imo. Otton's good hands and ability to feel out the defense should put him on good terms with TB12.

Kieft doesnt guarantee a run play. And I guess a single of Brate or Otton doesnt guarantee a pass play. Something tells me Tom will check Ko's ability to catch.

[Four Verticals]

I'll throw this out there. In the event Gronk doesn't come back...Otton is the #1 TE, right?

Brady and Leftwich will need to get a bit more creative because they won't have a guy who excels as both a pass-catcher and in-line blocker. more mix-and-matching with personnel. but Otton would be the best overall option at that point imo. Otton's good hands and ability to feel out the defense should put him on good terms with TB12.

I dunno. Lots of people have bet against Brate for years and he is still with the Buccaneers making plays.

Unlikely that Brate would be the No. 1 TE due to his inability to block. He'll make plays but more as a move TE.

[mdb1958]

What did Brate get his degree in?

[mdb1958]

Underwater Basket Weaving

Jelly your gig is fading.

[mdb1958]

Arghhh, I think the Yucks are great.

[VauntedTampa2]

I’m interested in seeing the defensive side of the ball. We need another DT ala McClendon.

[Snake]

Do you mean offensive roster? Maybe you got tired?

Is Don Gardner SMB's competition for iCB?

I’ll get to defense when I feel compelled to do so. Not gonna waste my time if nobody cares.

[mdb1958]

Do you mean offensive roster? Maybe you got tired?

Is Don Gardner SMB's competition for iCB?

I’ll get to defense when I feel compelled to do so. Not gonna waste my time if nobody cares.

Is it on a disappearing timer - Me and VT2 will start reading. Mary Jane and Cheb will chime in when they get time. There will be others galore.

[VauntedTampa2]

My needs/wants thoughts:

QB - I like it

TE - Would love Gronk back. If not, I think we'll need a cheap vet. Maybe Cook?

WR - I think we're fine here, but again, if we get ravaged by injuries like last year we'll be screwed. I'd love to sign Julio on a vet minimum to give him a chance to go after a ring.

RB - I think we're set. If Lenny goes down we might sign a vet on the cheap.

IOL - I think we're looking good

OT - Who will be the swing tackle? Wells? Gross. The new rookie? I'd rather him compete at guard. Hainsley? I thought he was playing center. If Smith/Wirfs go down, we have no one on the roster to even be serviceable. We saw how that went last year..

LB - I wish we had a better third option behind David/White. Big drop off there.

CB - We're sitting better than last year. Sign a vet and take away reps from our youngry secondary, or let it roll and hope for no injuries.

S - I think we're in a good spot. Curious to see who starts next to 31.

Edge - Does JTS start in place of JPP? Nelson looked better last year than he ever has. Are we good with Gill being our 4th? I think so.

IDL - We need another big body behind Vea and Noches.

Injuries will play a huge factor this year, like always. I like where we're at right now.

Thanks Snake

[Primeminister]

I'll throw this out there. In the event Gronk doesn't come back...Otton is the #1 TE, right?

Brady and Leftwich will need to get a bit more creative because they won't have a guy who excels as both a pass-catcher and in-line blocker. more mix-and-matching with personnel. but Otton would be the best overall option at that point imo. Otton's good hands and ability to feel out the defense should put him on good terms with TB12.

Repeatedly when I see Cade Otton mentioned I see the phrase “complete tight end” because he can block. I think Otton is already a better blocker than Brate so he will see the field a lot more than some fans may think. I believe you mentioned how he has a knack for finding the soft spots in zone which could make him a Brady favorite.

[Doctor]

idk who "Barner" is. He's owed no guaranteed money.

YOU ARE TALKING ABOUT 3 TIME SUPER BOWL CHAMPION KENJON BARNER SIR!

[Crocaneers]

Thoughts on special teams? Usually only matters when it matters.

[mdb1958]

Thoughts on special teams? Usually only matters when it matters.

Hey I was drafting 4.3 edge rushers to be my gunners!

[IronDog]

idk who "Barner" is. He's owed no guaranteed money.

YOU ARE TALKING ABOUT 3 TIME SUPER BOWL CHAMPION KENJON BARNER SIR!

So you show him with a Wrassling belt. Are you saying he's an actor?

[MJW]

Underwater Basket Weaving

And now we have to help pay back his student loans. #thanksobama

[MJW]

Best Guess:

Quarterbacks (3) - Tom Brady, Blaine Gabbert, Kyle Trask

Running Backs (4) - Leonard Fournette, Gio Bernard, Ke'Shawn Vaughn, Rachaad White

Wide Receivers (6) - Mike Evans, Chris Godwin (after returning from PUP), Russell Gage, Breshad Perriman, Cyril Grayson, Scott Miller, Tyler Johnson (until Godwin returns)

Tight Ends (4) - Rob Gronkowski, Cameron Brate, Cade Otton, Ko Kief

Offensive Lineman (9) - Donovan Smith, Luke Goedeke, Ryan Jensen, Shaq Mason, Tristan Wirfs, Aaron Stinnie, Robert Hainsey, Josh Wells, Fred Johnson

Defensive Linemen (8) - Vita Vea, Logan Hall, Veteran TBD, Nacho, Pat O'Connor, UDFA/Cheap UFA TBD, William Gholston, Anthony Nelson

EDGE/Linebackers (7) - Shaq Barrett, JTS, Cam Gill, Devin White, Lavonte David, KJ Britt, Grant Stuard

Defensive Backs (9) - Carlton Davis, Jamel Dean, Sean Murphy Bunting, Ross Cockrell, Zyon McCollum, Antoine Winfield Jr, Mike Edwards, Logan Ryan, Kiki Neal

Specialist (3) - Jose Borregalas (K), Jake Camarda (P), Zach Triner (LS)

Notable Cuts:

- Ryan Griffin
- Jaelon Darden
- Nick Leverett
- Bradley Pinion
- Ryan Succop
- Andre Anthony (Rookie Draft Pick)

[MJW]

Keep an eye on Aqeel Glass in camp. We signed him as an UDFA. Huge, major project. But has a ton of tools - height, arm, mobility, touch. He'd be a multi-year practice squad stash. But I'm a fan.

[Buc2]

Best Guess:

Quarterbacks (3) - Tom Brady, Blaine Gabbert, Kyle Trask

Running Backs (4) - Leonard Fournette, Gio Bernard, Ke'Shawn Vaughn, Rachaad White

Wide Receivers (6) - Mike Evans, Chris Godwin (after returning from PUP), Russell Gage, Breshad Perriman, Cyril Grayson, Scott Miller, Tyler Johnson (until Godwin returns)

Tight Ends (4) - Rob Gronkowski, Cameron Brate, Cade Otton, Ko Kief

Offensive Lineman (9) - Donovan Smith, Luke Goedeke, Ryan Jensen, Shaq Mason, Tristan Wirfs, Aaron Stinnie, Robert Hainsey, Josh Wells, Fred Johnson

Defensive Linemen (8) - Vita Vea, Logan Hall, Veteran TBD, Nacho, Pat O'Connor, UDFA/Cheap UFA TBD, William Gholston, Anthony Nelson

EDGE/Linebackers (7) - Shaq Barrett, JTS, Cam Gill, Devin White, Lavonte David, KJ Britt, Grant Stuard

Defensive Backs (9) - Carlton Davis, Jamel Dean, Sean Murphy Bunting, Ross Cockrell, Zyon McCollum, Antoine Winfield Jr, Mike Edwards, Logan Ryan, Kiki Neal

Specialist (3) - Jose Borregalas (K), Jake Camarda (P), Zach Triner (LS)

Notable Cuts:

- Ryan Griffin
- Jaelon Darden
- Nick Leverett
- Bradley Pinion
- Ryan Succop
- Andre Anthony (Rookie Draft Pick)

So you expect Gronk to come back but not Suh? I'm leaning towards both returning.

[mdb1958]

Underwater Basket Weaving

And now we have to help pay back his student loans. #thanksobama

Not to mention, 86% of the people from Denmark speak English and laugh about it in English. Now Brate's a Harvard boy so just a ditch digging degree could probably land him a CEO gig somewhere.

[MJW]

Best Guess:

Quarterbacks (3) - Tom Brady, Blaine Gabbert, Kyle Trask

Running Backs (4) - Leonard Fournette, Gio Bernard, Ke'Shawn Vaughn, Rachaad White

Wide Receivers (6) - Mike Evans, Chris Godwin (after returning from PUP), Russell Gage, Breshad Perriman, Cyril Grayson, Scott Miller, Tyler Johnson (until Godwin returns)

Tight Ends (4) - Rob Gronkowski, Cameron Brate, Cade Otton, Ko Kief

Offensive Lineman (9) - Donovan Smith, Luke Goedeke, Ryan Jensen, Shaq Mason, Tristan Wirfs, Aaron Stinnie, Robert Hainsey, Josh Wells, Fred Johnson

Defensive Linemen (8) - Vita Vea, Logan Hall, Veteran TBD, Nacho, Pat O'Connor, UDFA/Cheap UFA TBD, William Gholston, Anthony Nelson

EDGE/Linebackers (7) - Shaq Barrett, JTS, Cam Gill, Devin White, Lavonte David, KJ Britt, Grant Stuard

Defensive Backs (9) - Carlton Davis, Jamel Dean, Sean Murphy Bunting, Ross Cockrell, Zyon McCollum, Antoine Winfield Jr, Mike Edwards, Logan Ryan, Kiki Neal

Specialist (3) - Jose Borregalas (K), Jake Camarda (P), Zach Triner (LS)

Notable Cuts:

- Ryan Griffin
- Jaelon Darden
- Nick Leverett
- Bradley Pinion
- Ryan Succop
- Andre Anthony (Rookie Draft Pick)

So you expect Gronk to come back but not Suh? I'm leaning towards both returning.

Suh is included in that "Veteran TBD" spot for the defensive line. I know how we do things. I know we'll probably bring him back because he's part of the family or whatever. But he's in serious, obvious decline as a player. So I'm holding out hope that Bowles sees this and the "Veteran TBD" is someone else. If Eddie Goldman is healthy enough to pass a physical, I'd much rather have him, age 28, than Suh, who came into the league the same year as Gerald McCoy.

Gronk? I'd call it fate acompli. He'll be back. There' s an old "Cartoon Funhouse" bit from SNL (look it up if you don't know it, it was gold) where Oprah "surprises" everyone by putting herself on the cover of "Oprah" magazine. That's exactly how I feel about Gronk coming back. Like..."oh...we made a big deal out of this, like it might not have happened?"

That said, if Gronk doesn't come back, there are still a bunch of borderline #1 quality tight ends out there. They won't be Gronk, but at least the cupboard isn't bare. Eric Ebron, Jimmy Graham, Jared Cook, Blake Jarwin, Jesse James, etc.

[MJW]

Wait a minute.... Brate is an Ivy League grad? Wonder why that hasn't been mentioned in every game the last 8 seasons or so???

Odd.

Wait until you hear about what he and Ryan Fitzpatrick did for the first time in NFL history? Hint - it involves both of them going to Harvard and one guy throwing a TD to the other guy.

[Snake]

Wait a minute.... Brate is an Ivy League grad? Wonder why that hasn't been mentioned in every game the last 8 seasons or so???

Odd.

After eight years of NFL collisions, I think his IQ has probably dropped to around public university levels.

[mdb1958]

Best Guess:

Quarterbacks (3) - Tom Brady, Blaine Gabbert, Kyle Trask

Running Backs (4) - Leonard Fournette, Gio Bernard, Ke'Shawn Vaughn, Rachaad White

Wide Receivers (6) - Mike Evans, Chris Godwin (after returning from PUP), Russell Gage, Breshad Perriman, Cyril Grayson, Scott Miller, Tyler Johnson (until Godwin returns)

Tight Ends (4) - Rob Gronkowski, Cameron Brate, Cade Otton, Ko Kief

Offensive Lineman (9) - Donovan Smith, Luke Goedeke, Ryan Jensen, Shaq Mason, Tristan Wirfs, Aaron Stinnie, Robert Hainsey, Josh Wells, Fred Johnson

Defensive Linemen (8) - Vita Vea, Logan Hall, Veteran TBD, Nacho, Pat O'Connor, UDFA/Cheap UFA TBD, William Gholston, Anthony Nelson

EDGE/Linebackers (7) - Shaq Barrett, JTS, Cam Gill, Devin White, Lavonte David, KJ Britt, Grant Stuard

Defensive Backs (9) - Carlton Davis, Jamel Dean, Sean Murphy Bunting, Ross Cockrell, Zyon McCollum, Antoine Winfield Jr, Mike Edwards, Logan Ryan, Kiki Neal

Specialist (3) - Jose Borregalas (K), Jake Camarda (P), Zach Triner (LS)

Notable Cuts:

- Ryan Griffin
- Jaelon Darden
- Nick Leverett
- Bradley Pinion
- Ryan Succop
- Andre Anthony (Rookie Draft Pick)

So you expect Gronk to come back but not Suh? I'm leaning towards both returning.

This is where I get disturbed about the draft and I think there were a few that would have replaced Suh in this draft.
Travis Jones
Eyioma Uwazurike
Otito Ogbonnia
Eric Johnson
Sam Roberts

Now did we replace JPP? I dunno? Did we get better than him? I dunno. MJW said something about tweeners and near as I can tell - thats what the Bucs are interested in having. This draft was for pretty much rolling out the red carpet for Tom. If it was a different QB I think the Bucs could of looked way lower for all the positions of need that we spent our allocations on.
But who knows, maybe they are going to bust out and show us what the DT trainee's have this year.

[Snake]

JTS is the JPP “replacement.” Whether or not that happens on the field is a different matter. But the replacement is here.

[mdb1958]

Wait a minute.... Brate is an Ivy League grad? Wonder why that hasn't been mentioned in every game the last 8 seasons or so???

Odd.

Odd is you knowing his major was in basket weaving.

[mdb1958]

Why the inability to even bring some DT's into camp, I find it hard to believe that any vet free agents would not bring any fire above what Suh put out. Gholston, Vea, and Suh arent going to chase anyone down - we are slow!

[Buc2]

So you expect Gronk to come back but not Suh? I'm leaning towards both returning.

Suh is included in that "Veteran TBD" spot for the defensive line. I know how we do things. I know we'll probably bring him back because he's part of the family or whatever. But he's in serious, obvious decline as a player. So I'm holding out hope that Bowles sees this and the "Veteran TBD" is someone else. If Eddie Goldman is healthy enough to pass a physical, I'd much rather have him, age 28, than Suh, who came into the league the same year as Gerald McCoy.

Gronk? I'd call it fate acompli. He'll be back. There' s an old "Cartoon Funhouse" bit from SNL (look it up if you don't know it, it was gold) where Oprah "surprises" everyone by putting herself on the cover of "Oprah" magazine. That's exactly how I feel about Gronk coming back. Like..."oh...we made a big deal out of this, like it might not have happened?"

That said, if Gronk doesn't come back, there are still a bunch of borderline #1 quality tight ends out there. They won't be Gronk, but at least the cupboard isn't bare. Eric Ebron, Jimmy Graham, Jared Cook, Blake Jarwin, Jesse James, etc.

My comment wasn't about IF we should bring back Suh. If fact, I don't disagree with you. It's time to move on. Unfortunately, however, I think if he wants to play, One Buc brings him back.

[mdb1958]

Remember I mentioned Elijah Garcia DT Rice, evidently the Rams figured they could use some depth.
CJ Brewer DT, yep the Jets just took their DT room 9 deep.

Problem is all these DT's will maybe get cut but cuz they missed our camp the brass won't deem them worthy.
Just our guys getting tired.

[King Bootz]

I understand the situation with Gronk. Suh has given no indication that he's unsure of his future. Everything points to him wanting to play. I think he's just running into the same issue he's had since 2019. Only 1 team has wanted his services. This year it seems they have moved on. I don't see him returning.

[Snake]

Suh is fine depth. doubt he plays for it, but offer veteran minimum.

I think Bootz is right. I don’t really see a big market.

[Defense5599]

Suh is fine depth. doubt he plays for it, but offer veteran minimum.

I think Bootz is right. I don’t really see a big market.

I think both Suh and Gronk will be back... but after the June minicamp. They're long time vets that have put in the work and they can be trusted to stay in shape.

Speaking of minicamps, anyone have any info on the rookie minicamp this weekend?