Buccaneers release first 2016 depth chart: Three things we learned

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers have released their first depth chart of the 2016 season. As always, a (likely futile) warning to not take these depth charts too seriously. Teams have to release them ahead of their games, and it’s not something the coaches put a whole lot of stock in — or even treat accurately, generally. Still, here are three things we learned today — or at least, three things this depth chart confirmed.

Cameron Brate is your starting tight end

This is not a secret after the last couple of days of Brate running with the first team, but it’s still worth noting. Another interesting development: for the first time that I can remember, the Bucs have replaced the fullback position with a second tight end spot — and Luke Stocker’s listed there, not with the tight ends. That simply confirms the way he’s been used since he’s been in the league: as an all-around blocker, and not much more. That second tight end spot is also where Austin Seferian-Jenkins is listed.

Johnthan Banks is in danger of losing his roster spot

Vernon Hargreaves is listed as the second-string cornerback behind Alterraun Verner, with Brent Grimes starting opposite Verner and Jude Adjei-Barimah the other second-string cornerback. That means Hargreaves is probably going to be the team’s main slot cornerback. But it also means that Johnthan Banks is now a third-string cornerback, and he’s genuinely in danger of losing his roster spot. That’s bad news for the former second-round pick who had such a promising start to his career.

Noah Spence and Jacquies Smith are the pass-rush specialists

We’ve seen this throughout training camp, but you can see it in the depth chart as well: Noah Spence and Jacquies Smith are going to fuel the team’s pass-rush. William Gholston and Robert Ayers are listed as the starting defensive ends, but the starting group is mostly a large, run-defense line-up. Ayers will move inside on passing downs, with Gholston coming off — and Smith and Spence get to play speed-rusher on the outside. That should be fun.

The Buccaneers’ first 2016 depth chart

Offense

Wide receiver 1: Vincent Jackson, Adam Humphries, Donteea Dye, Russell Shepard, Freddie Martino, Andre Davis

Tight end: Cameron Brate, Austin Seferian-Jenkins, Brandon Myers, Tevin Westbrook, Kivon Cartwright

Left tackle: Donovan Smith, Leonard Wester, Kelby Johnson

Left guard: Kevin Pamphile, Josh Allen, Joel Hale, J.R. Sweezy

Center: Joe Hawley, Evan Smith, Ben Gottschalk

Right guard: Ali Marpet, Taylor Fallin, Caleb Benenoch

Right tackle: Demar Dotson, Gosder Cherilus, Kelby Johnson

Wide receiver 2: Mike Evans, Kenny Bell, Evan Spencer, Bernard Reedy, Jonathan Krause, Louis Murphy

Tight end 2: Luke Stocker, Danny Vitale, Alan Cross

Quarterback: Jameis Winston Mike Glennon Ryan Griffin

Running back: Doug Martin, Charles Sims, Mike James, Peyton Barber, Storm Johnson, Russell Hansbrough

Defense

Defensive end: Robert Ayers, Noah Spence, Howard Jones, Channing Ward

Defensive tackle: Gerald McCoy, Cliff Matthews, DaVonte Lambert

Defensive tackle: Clinton McDonald, Akeem Spence, A.J. Francis, Travis Britz

Defensive end: William Gholston, Jacquies Smith, Kourtnei Brown, Martin Ifedi

Strong side linebacker: Daryl Smith, Devante Bond, Josh Keyes, Cassanova McKinzy

Middle linebacker: Kwon Alexander, Luke Rhodes, Jeremiah George

Weakside linebacker: Lavonte David, Adarius Glanton, Micah Awe

Cornerback: Alterraun Verner, Vernon Hargreaves, Josh Robinson, Daniel Davie

Cornerback: Brent Grimes, Jude Adjei-Barimah, Johnthan Banks, Javien Elliott

Safety: Chris Conte, Keith Tandy, Ryan Smith, Kimario McFadden

Safety: Bradley McDougald, Major Wright, Isaiah Johnson, Elijah Shumate

Special teams

Punter: Jacob Schum, Bryan Anger

Kicker: Roberto Aguayo

Kickoffs: Roberto Aguayo, Bryan Anger

Holder: Jacob Schum, Bryan Anger

Longsnapper: Andrew DePaola

Punt returner: Adam Humphries, Bernard Reedy, Jonathan Krause

Kick returner: Kenny Bell, Ryan Smith, Bernard Reedy, Jonathan Krause