Buccaneers Release Depth Chart Ahead of Season Opener

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers have released their first depth chart ahead of Sunday’s season opener against the Cincinnati Bengals.

The new chart offers an early look at how Tampa Bay’s roster has changed since the end of last season. Several positions feature new faces, altered roles, and plenty of intrigue heading into Week 1.

Let’s start with the offense, where some notable changes immediately stand out.

Offense

• WR: Jalen McMillan, Ted Hurst
• WR: Chris Godwin, Kameron Johnson
• LT: Tristan Wirfs, Benjamin Chukwuma
• LG: Ben Bredeson, Billy Schrauth
• C: Graham Barton, Dan Feeney
• RG: Cody Mauch, Luke Haggard
• RT: Luke Goedeke, Justin Skule
• WR: Emeka Egbuka, Tez Johnson
• TE: Cade Otton, Payne Durham, Ko Kieft, Bauer Sharp
• QB: Baker Mayfield, Jalon Daniels
• RB: Bucky Irving, Kenny Gainwell, Sean Tucker

McMillan Steps Into a Bigger Role

The Buccaneers’ wide receiver room looks different, with Jalen McMillan now listed among the three starters.

The third-year receiver joins Chris Godwin and rookie Emeka Egbuka in the starting lineup. McMillan has shown he can finish seasons strongly, doing so in each of his first two NFL campaigns.

However, his availability for Week 1 remains uncertain. McMillan is currently dealing with a knee injury that could prevent him from taking the field against Cincinnati.

Offensive Line Finally Set

Tampa Bay’s starting offensive line looks familiar on paper, matching the group listed atop last year’s Week 1 depth chart.

The circumstances are considerably different this time around, however. Tristan Wirfs was listed as the starting left tackle last season despite not being ready after undergoing knee surgery during the summer.

That forced the Buccaneers to shuffle their line for the opening three games. Graham Barton moved from center to left tackle, while Ben Bredeson took over at center.

The expectation this season is for the listed starting five to actually open the season together. That includes Cody Mauch returning at right guard after playing only two games last season because of a leg fracture.

Daniels Wins the Backup Job

The biggest surprise on Tampa Bay’s offensive depth chart might be Jalon Daniels.

The undrafted rookie quarterback earned the No. 2 job after beating veteran Jake Browning during training camp. Daniels is now positioned to open the season as Baker Mayfield’s primary backup.

That makes Daniels the first undrafted rookie quarterback since Seattle’s Trevone Boykin in 2016 to enter a season as his team’s primary backup, according to the information provided.

Veteran quarterback Easton Stick is also with Tampa Bay, but he currently resides on the practice squad.

Defense

• DL: Calijah Kancey, Elijah Roberts
• NT: Vita Vea, Rakeem Nuñez-Roches, Elijah Simmons
• DL: A’Shawn Robinson, DeMonte Capehart
• OLB: Yaya Diaby, Anthony Nelson, David Walker
• ILB: Josiah Trotter, SirVocea Dennis
• ILB: Alex Anzalone, Christian Rozeboom
• OLB: Rueben Bain, Al-Quadin Muhammad
• CB: Zyon McCollum, Benjamin Morris, Ayden Garnes
• CB: Jacob Parrish, Keionte Scott, Kevin Knowles
• S: Antoine Winfield Jr.
• S: Tykee Smith, Miles Killebrew

Rookies Take Center Stage

The Buccaneers invested heavily in their defense during April’s draft, and two rookies are now positioned for immediate starting roles.

Tampa Bay selected Miami edge rusher Rueben Bain 15th overall before taking Missouri linebacker Josiah Trotter in the second round. Bain quickly earned a starting spot opposite Yaya Diaby, while Trotter initially opened training camp behind SirVocea Dennis.

That has changed heading into the regular season. Trotter has moved into the starting lineup and is expected to play alongside Alex Anzalone at inside linebacker.

If Bain and Trotter start Sunday in Cincinnati, Tampa Bay will have two rookie defensive starters for the first time since Calijah Kancey started as a rookie in 2023.

Parrish Takes Over Outside

The Buccaneers also appear to have settled on their starting outside cornerback combination.

Second-year cornerback Jacob Parrish is expected to line up opposite Zyon McCollum. Parrish spent most of his rookie season working from the slot, but he showed enough on the outside to earn a larger role this season.

Meanwhile, rookie Keionte Scott could become Tampa Bay’s fifth different opening-day slot cornerback in five seasons.

Scott’s emergence would give the Buccaneers another young piece in a secondary undergoing significant changes. The rookie now has an opportunity to establish himself immediately as Tampa Bay begins the regular season.

Specialist

• P: Riley Dixon
• PK: Chase McLaughlin
• KO: Chase McLaughlin
• H: Riley Dixon
• LS: Evan Deckers
• PR: Kameron Johnson, Tez Johnson
• KR: Sean Tucker, Kenny Gainwell
• KR: Kameron Johnson

Familiar Faces on Special Teams

There is not much different about Tampa Bay’s special teams heading into the 2026 season.

Punter Riley Dixon, kicker Chase McLaughlin, and long snapper Evan Deckers return as the Buccaneers’ specialist trio. That continuity gives Tampa Bay an experienced group heading into the regular season.

Kameron Johnson is also expected to retain his return duties after handling every punt return and roughly half of Tampa Bay’s kickoff returns last season.

The only new addition is running back Kenny Gainwell. Gainwell should have an important offensive role, but Tampa Bay could also turn to him occasionally as a kickoff returner.