The NFL is a league of constant turnover, but the Tampa Bay Buccaneers are basically trying to flip the script. Most teams blow things up after a playoff run that falls short. Not Jason Licht. He’s doubling down on the guys who won the NFC South. If you’re looking at the depth chart Tampa Bay Buccaneers management has assembled, it’s a masterclass in keeping the band together while sneakily injecting youth into the trenches.
Baker Mayfield isn’t the "bridge" guy anymore. He's the guy. Period.
It’s weird to think that just a couple of seasons ago, everyone was writing the post-Brady eulogy for this franchise. Now? They’ve got a solidified identity. It’s gritty. It’s a bit loud. It’s exactly what Todd Bowles wants on both sides of the ball. But if you look closer at the roster, you'll see some massive gambles. They are betting big on internal growth rather than flashy outside signings.
The Quarterback Room: Baker’s Kingdom
Baker Mayfield’s contract extension was the first domino. When he signed that three-year, $100 million deal, the hierarchy at One Buc Place became crystal clear. There’s no competition here. Behind him, Kyle Trask remains the primary backup, a former second-round pick who has basically become the ultimate "break glass in case of emergency" option.
John Wolford is the veteran presence in the room, providing that "coach on the field" vibe that offensive coordinators love. Honestly, Wolford’s value is mostly in the film room, helping Baker dissect coverages. If Baker goes down, the season takes a massive hit, but the Bucs are betting that Mayfield’s durability—and his new-found chemistry with Liam Coen—will keep the ship steady.
Coen coming in as the Offensive Coordinator is a big deal. He worked with Baker in Los Angeles for that brief, chaotic stint with the Rams. That familiarity is baked into the depth chart. It’s why you don’t see the Bucs chasing a high-profile backup. They trust the system knowledge currently in the building.
Skill Positions: Mike Evans and the Quest for 1,000
You can’t talk about the Bucs without Mike Evans. The man is a walking Hall of Fame resume. 10 straight seasons of 1,000 yards? It’s absurd. He’s the undisputed WR1.
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Opposite him, Chris Godwin is moving back to the slot more frequently. This is huge. Godwin is a monster in the middle of the field, and under Dave Canales last year, he felt a bit underutilized on the outside. Coen knows this. By shifting Godwin back to his natural habitat, the depth chart opens up for a third receiver to emerge.
Enter Jalen McMillan. The rookie out of Washington has been the talk of camp. He’s got that "it" factor. While Trey Palmer has the elite speed to stretch defenses, McMillan offers a more polished route-running tree. It’s going to be a rotation, but don't be surprised if McMillan takes the WR3 snaps by mid-season.
Then there’s the tight end spot. Cade Otton is the iron man. He played almost every single snap last year. While the Bucs drafted Devin Culp for some speed, Otton remains the guy. He’s the safety blanket. He’s not Travis Kelce, but he’s reliable, and in this offense, reliability is currency.
The Offensive Line: Rebuilding the Wall
This is where things get interesting—and a bit risky. Tristan Wirfs is a cornerstone. Moving from right tackle to left tackle last year was a gamble that paid off massively. He’s the highest-paid tackle for a reason. He’s the anchor.
But look at the rest of the line.
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- Left Guard: Ben Bredeson or Sua Opeta (before injury) were the veteran stop-gaps.
- Center: Graham Barton. The first-round pick. He’s the future.
- Right Guard: Cody Mauch. The toothless wonder who needs to take a Year 2 leap.
- Right Tackle: Luke Goedeke.
Graham Barton is the name to watch. Replacing Ryan Jensen’s attitude is impossible, but Barton has that same "nastiness." He’s smart, he’s athletic, and he’s being asked to lead this group from day one. If Barton hits, the Bucs’ interior run game—which has been abysmal for two years—might actually find some daylight for Rachaad White.
Speaking of White, he’s the clear RB1, but Bucky Irving is the lightning to his thunder. White is one of the best receiving backs in the league, but he struggled between the tackles last year. Irving brings a different burst. It’s a 1-2 punch that actually feels complementary rather than redundant.
The Defensive Front: Vita Vea and the Young Pass Rushers
Todd Bowles lives and dies by the blitz. But to blitz effectively, you need a nose tackle who can eat two blockers. Vita Vea is that man. He is the sun that the rest of the defense orbits around.
The edge rushing spots are where the depth chart Tampa Bay Buccaneers fans should be staring. Yaya Diaby was a revelation as a rookie. He led the team in sacks and he didn't even start the whole year. He’s the alpha now that Shaq Barrett is gone.
Who steps up opposite him? Joe Tryon-Shoyinka is in a contract year. It’s "put up or shut up" time for the former first-rounder. He has the tools, the size, and the speed, but the production hasn't matched the potential. Behind him, Chris Braswell, the rookie from Alabama, is looming. Braswell is powerful. He’s a different kind of rusher than the bendy Tryon-Shoyinka. Bowles loves to rotate these guys to keep them fresh for the fourth quarter.
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The Secondary: A New Look Cornerback Room
Trading Carlton Davis III to Detroit was a bold move. It signaled a shift in philosophy. The Bucs are trusting Zyon McCollum to step into a full-time starting role. McCollum is an athletic freak—his Combine numbers were off the charts—but playing corner in the NFL is about more than just 40 times. It’s about instincts.
Jamel Dean is the veteran corner now. When he’s healthy, he’s a shutdown guy. The problem is "when he’s healthy." He’s battled soft tissue injuries his whole career.
At safety, Antoine Winfield Jr. is the best in the business. He got the bag this offseason, and he earned every penny. He’s the ultimate playmaker—forcing fumbles, grabbing picks, and blitzing like a linebacker. Pairing him back up with Jordan Whitehead was a stroke of genius by Licht. Whitehead knows the system. He knows Bowles. He knows Winfield. That chemistry is something you can't coach.
The nickel spot is a battle. Tykee Smith, the rookie from Georgia, has that "star" versatility that Bowles craves. He can hit, he can cover, and he’s got a high football IQ. Watching him compete with Christian Izien will be one of the best sub-plots of the season.
Specialists: The Reliability Factor
Chase McLaughlin was nearly perfect last year. In a league where kickers are missing extra points and 40-yarders regularly, having a guy who can nail 57-yarders with ease is a luxury. Jake Camarda is one of the best punters in the league, even if he had a slight dip in consistency late last year.
The return game is still a bit of a question mark. Trey Palmer has the speed, but Bucky Irving or even Jalen McMillan might get looks if they want to maximize field position.
Actionable Insights for Bucs Fans and Analysts
If you're tracking this roster, don't just look at the names. Look at the snaps. Here is how to actually evaluate if this depth chart is working as the season progresses:
- Monitor the Interior Push: Watch Graham Barton’s leverage in the run game. If Rachaad White is still averaging under 3.8 yards per carry by Week 4, the interior line hasn't solved its power-blocking issues, regardless of Barton's pedigree.
- The Yaya Diaby Effect: Check the "pressure rate," not just sacks. If Diaby is drawing double teams, it means Joe Tryon-Shoyinka or Chris Braswell must win their one-on-one matchups. If they don't, Bowles will be forced to blitz more than he wants to, leaving the young secondary vulnerable.
- McCollum’s Target Rate: Opposing QBs are going to test Zyon McCollum early and often to avoid Jamel Dean. If McCollum can hold his own in the first month against teams like the Lions and Eagles, the Bucs’ defense moves from "good" to "elite."
- Godwin’s Slot Percentage: Success for this offense is tied to Chris Godwin being in the slot. If you see him lined up outside more than 40% of the time, the offense is likely stagnating. Liam Coen’s system thrives when Godwin can work the middle.
The Buccaneers aren't the flashiest team in the NFC, but they are one of the most cohesive. They’ve gambled on the idea that chemistry beats a "dream team" roster every time. With a core of Wirfs, Evans, Winfield, and Vea, they have the high-end talent to compete. The depth—the guys like Barton, McCollum, and Diaby—will determine if they actually win the South again or if the window is starting to close.