Bucs Reveal Unofficial Depth Chart Ahead Of Week 1

Bucs Offense

There's probably the least amount of surprise when it comes to Tampa Bay's offense compared to their defense and special teams. Chris Godwin Jr. is listed as the top slot receiver, which means it is Sterling Shepard's job for the time being until Godwin recovers and joins the team for the second or third month of the season.

Shepard is a scrappy player who isn't afraid to do the dirty work like block and and get physical with corners. His chemistry with quarterback Baker Mayfield that goes all the way back to college makes for good reason that Tampa Bay would trust him before putting Tez Johnson or the inexperienced Kameron Johnson.

Emeka Egbuka is also listed as a starter, which is to be expected given that Godwin and Jalen McMillan is out. He can lineup anywhere, though, which gives the Bucs some interesting matchups to work with where they can move Egbuka around and maybe give some more opportunities to Tez Johnson on the outside if he makes an impact early.

The Bucs have Devin Culp listed as tight end four behind Ko Kieft, but Culp will get more playing time and can actually be a receiving tight end, so he'll play a role in the offense. Tristan Wirfs is the starting tackle but won't play in Week 1, so that's Charlie Heck's job for one week.

Ben Chukwuma is next in line if somehting happens and the Bucs tried to play him on each side during the preseason because of it. In an emergency situation, Elijah Klein could move to offensive tackle and the team does have a couple offensive linemen they may elevate for game day.

Bucs Defense

Tampa Bay is showing their base 3-4 defense with this depth chart so it doesn't show that Jacob Parrish is going to be the team's starting slot corner when they are in nickel defense. The Bucs went a couple of years testing out the slot with a safety, but they're going back to their roots with a traditional corner at nickel, which they haven't done in several seasons.

The fact that Parrish is a primary backup corner and Benjamin Morrison is still out, it is very likely that Bryce Hall becomes a game day call up from the practice squad for Week 1 unless Morrison begins practicing this week. We'll also have to check out the status of Christian Izien, who could be another option in the slot but also is the primary backup at safety ahead of Kaevon Merriweather and Rashad Wisdom. The Bucs are way more equipped to handle moves at corner than at safety.

Everything else on defense is status quo. Markees Watts was expected to be the fifth outside linebacker and have a role on special teams while Deion Jones is the primary backup at inside linebacker with John Bullock as an important special teamer. It'll be interesting to see if Tampa Bay brings up Nick Jackson for the first game.

Bucs Special Teams

This is the group that has the newest information as Bucs' special teams coach Thomas McGaughey said it's a "fluid situation" in terms of who the returners are.

The Bucs have running back Sean Tucker and wide receiver Kameron Johnson listed as the primary kick returners with running backs Rachaad White and Josh Williams as the backups followed by receivers Tez Johnson and Emeka Egbuka. The first punt returner listed is Kameron Johnson with Tez Johnson and Emeka Egbuka behind him along with Rachaad White as fourth string.

Kameron Johnson did not play until the final preseason game of the season but had a great 57-yard kick return despite having two drops as a receiver in the game. Tez Johnson and Josh Williams shined as returners in the preseason as well, but Kameron Johnson is likely the safer move for the Bucs with Tez Johnson playing more of a role in the offense with Godwin and McMillan out.

Without a doubt the Bucs have much more talent and potential in the return game than they've had in years with the Johnsons, Tucker, Williams and Egbuka in an emergency situation. It should be more of a factor than in recent seasons to help Tampa Bay win.