FanPost

53 Man Roster Prediction



With 3 preseason games in the books I think it is safe to say that we have seen enough to know what this team will look like after the final roster cuts. So without further ado, my predictions on who is in, who is out, and who will be starting for Tampa Bay come September 7th.

Offense - 26

QB: 2

Starter - Josh McCown

Backup - Mike Glennon.

Not much to say here. McCown has looks solid if unspectacular in 3 preseason games. When given time, he has shown the ability to move the offense and score points. When pressured he has, for the most part, shown poise and enough mobility to make something happen on occasion.

Glennon has been much of the same as what was seen from him last season. When given time, he can make the throws needed out of a starting QB in the NFL. His biggest problem comes when under pressure where his slow decision making and indecisiveness becomes a real problem. Hopefully this improves in the next season or two.

RB: 5

Starter HB - Doug Martin

Starter FB - Jorvorskie Lane

Backup(s) - Bobby Rainy, Mike James, Charles Sims

Martin has shown he is ready to get back to his rookie form coming off the injury that shortened his sophomore campaign. Rainy has firmly implanted himself as his primary relief back. Lane has been a pleasant surprise in a position most thought wouldn't be featured on the team.

James and Sims are both injured, but both make the roster at this point, though Sims will go to Injured Reserve once the season starts. If James cannot play week one, Jeff Demps will make the roster as the 3rd back. If James can play, Demps won't make the team, as he has yet to show anything either on offense or special teams.

WR: 6

Starters - Vincent Jackson, Mike Evans, Robert Herron (Slot)

Backups - Chris Owusu, Louis Murphy, Solomon Patton

Jackson, Evans and Owusu will be the primary players outside, while Herron should get every opportunity inside. I also wouldn't be surprised if Owusu becomes a bigger part of the offense. Murphy rounds out a strong receiving core, while Patton stays on as the primary punt and kick off returner.

TE: 3

Starter - Austin Seferian-Jenkins

Backups - Brandon Meyers, Luke Stocker

Here is where I will get the most hate, but I think Tim Wright is done in Tampa Bay. He has shown very little in camp and hasn't played with the starters much if at all here in 3 preseasons games. While Meyers may stay listed as the starter on the depth chart, Seferian-Jenkins has shown he is the feature tight end here in Tampa. He stayed on the field what seemed like all game against Buffalo and has seen nothing but rave reviews from the coaching staff and his fellow players.

Stocker stays on over Wright as he gives Tampa a true force as a blocker at TE.

OT: 4

Starters - Anthony Collins, Demar Dotson

Backups - Jamon Meredith, Matt Patchan

Dotson and Collins are entrenched as starters along the line, and are probably the only two who can be considered quality players at their position on that line. Meredith sticks as a swing T/G and primary backup at both sides while Patchan beats out rookie Kevin Pamphile as the 4th Tackle. Pamphile should stay on the practice squad.

OG: 4

Starters - Oniel Cousins, Patrick Omameh

Backups - Kadeem Edwards, Rishaw Johnson

Unfortunately, Cousins and Omameh are currently the best options Tampa has. Don't be surprised if Johnson doesn't unseat one of the two starters once he becomes more familiar with the playbook. Edwards stays on as a backup and has the chance to crack the starting lineup if Cousins or Omameh disappoint early.

C: 2

Starter - Evan Dietrich-Smith

Backup - Jace Daniels

Dietrich-Smith has been average in three preseason games, but average is better than what is going on at the guard position. Daniels can be in the mix at guard and center, essentially guaranteeing his spot on the 53.

Defense - 25

DE: 5

Starters - Michael Johnson, Adrian Clayborn

Backups - William Gholston, Steven Means, Scott Solomon

Johnson and Clayborn have improved over three games, providing consistent pressure and combining for a sack fumble against Buffalo. Means will backup Johnson, while Gholston and Solomon will split reps at LDE. Gholston and Clayborn an also play inside, giving Tampa more flexibility along the defensive line.

Don't be surprised if Larry English beats out Solomon if he keeps up the splash plays he showed against Buffalo.

DT: 3

Starters - Gerald McCoy, Clinton McDonald

Backup - Akeem Spence

This one was tough, but with 5 DE's Tampa can afford only 3 DT's, especially with Gholston AND Clayborn being able to move inside. Mac squared, McCoy and McDonald, provide a scary combination at DT with a rare combination of size and strength. Spence will play a big role in the rotation, coming in at DT for McDonald, while McDonald can slide to the 3-technique if McCoy needs a breather.

Bowers just misses the cut here, having missed too much time while others have thrived.

LB: 6

Starters - Lavonte David, Mason Foster, Jonathan Casillas

Backups - Ka'Lial Glaud, Dane Fletcher, Danny Lansanah

David and Foster are firmly implanted at the Will and Mike positions. Casillas holds the strong side currently, but he missed the trip to Buffalo due to violating a team rule. While most likely not a serious issue, it could cause him to lose his position to Lansanah if the violation was serious.

Fletcher and Glaud hold down the final backup spots, while camp standout Nate Askew may have impressed into a position on the practice squad.

CB: 5

Starters - Alterraun Verner, Johnthan Banks

Backups - Mike Jenkins, Rashaan Melvin, Danny Gorrer

With Jenkins and Melvin injured, Danny Gorrer gets a spot for security. He was also held out of the Buffalo game, and if his injury is serious Deveron Carr may get a spot as added insurance.

NB: 2

Starter - Leonard Johnson

Backup - Quinton Pointer

Johnson and Pointer have worked exclusively in the slot, and as such Pointer stays on in case Johnson is injured.

S: 4

Starters - Dashon Goldson, Mark Barron

Backups - Major Wright, Bradley McDougald

Tandy just misses the cut as McDougald has impressed the staff enough to secure a roster spot.

Special Teams: 3

K - Connor Barth

P - Michael Koenen

LS - Jeremy Cain

So there you have it, my 53 man roster predictions. Ok, I cheated a bit. This is 54 players. But Charles Sims is headed to Injured Reserve Designated to Return, meaning their is room for the extra man on the roster once he is moved over.

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