Bucs Roster Bubble Players: Defense

The Bucs have definitely added an immense amount of talent to their roster this offseason, and that will make this year’s roster cuts even harder than previous years. It also means that Tampa Bay’s depth should be better than it was a year ago, and that the team’s practice squad should be more talented as well.

This week’s joint practices in Jacksonville and Friday night’s game against the Jaguars will be the final audition for several players on the roster bubble. After looking at the bubble players on offense on Monday, let’s take a look at each position on defense and see who is fighting for a spot on the 53-man roster or the practice squad.

DEFENSIVE TACKLES – 6

Roster Locks
Vita Vea
Calijah Kancey
A’Shawn Robinson
Rakeem Nunez-Roches
Elijah Roberts

On The Bubble
DeMonte Capehart
Jayson Jones
Elijah Simmons
Josiah Green
DeShawn McKnight
Travis Shaw

ANALYSIS: Six players battling for one roster spot and Capehart, the team’s fifth-round draft pick, has the inside edge due to his draft status and athletic potential. Jones and Simmons have fared well in the preseason, but likely not good enough to unseat Capehart. They’ll likely wind up on the practice squad whereas Green, McKnight and Shaw don’t stand much of a chance because they haven’t stood out.

OUTSIDE LINEBACKERS – 5

Roster Locks
Yaya Diaby
Rueben Bain Jr.
David Walker
Al-Quadin Muhammad

On The Bubble
Anthony Nelson
Mo Kamara
Jack Pyburn
Yasir Holmes
Chris Braswell

ANALYSIS: Nelson is a trusted hand and will likely claim the fifth OLB spot, especially after getting a sack and a half Saturday night against Kansas City. One of Todd Bowles’ favorites, he’s likely also one of Danny Smith’s favorites after recording a special teams tackle versus the Chiefs. Mo Kamara likely makes the practice squad, and perhaps Jack Pyburn too if he doesn’t go back to college. Former second-round pick Chris Braswell didn’t even dress on Saturday and is all but cut.

INSIDE LINEBACKERS – 4 or 5

Roster Locks
Alex Anzalone
Josiah Trotter

On The Bubble
Christian Rozeboom
SirVocea Dennis
Caden Fordham
John Bullock
Javin Wright
Nick Jackson

ANALYSIS: There is a strong chance that the final two inside linebacker spots are claimed by Dennis, who is in his fourth year in Todd Bowles’ defense, and Rozeboom, an experienced newcomer via free agency. But we’ll see come Friday night. Fordham has had a strong preseason and made an impression. Will he unseat either Dennis or Rozeboom, or will he force the Bucs to keep five inside ‘backers? Or will Bullock rise up and claim a roster spot as he did last year as an undrafted free agent? Intrigue awaits on Friday night in Jacksonville.

CORNERBACKS – 5 or 6

Roster Locks
Jacob Parrish
Zyon McCollum
Keionte Scott
Ayden Garnes

On The Bubble
Benjamin Morrison
Pepe Williams
Roman Parodie
Josh Hayes

ANALYSIS: The Bucs have one or two more roster spots available at cornerback, and the fifth spot will likely go to the oft-injured Morrison, even though he has barely participated in team drills during training camp, and he’s missed both preseason games this year. That’s what a second-round draft status will get you. Williams, who had 12 tackles and a sack in the preseason opener, or Parodie will have a chance if the team keeps six cornerbacks. This feels like Hayes’ last year in Tampa Bay with new special teams ace Miles Killebrew on board.

SAFETIES – 4 or 5

Roster Locks
Antoine Winfield Jr.
Tykee Smith

On The Bubble
Ifeatu Melifonwu
Miles Killebrew
Rashad Wisdom
JJ Roberts
Isiah Williams

ANALYSIS: The Bucs are razor thin at safety behind the starters, Winfield and Smith. Melifonwu has experience and has played well enough to lock down the third safety spot on the depth chart. Killebrew, who is more of a special teams star than he is a legit safety on defense, likely occupies the fourth safety spot. If Tampa Bay elects to keep a fifth safety, Wisdom has had a solid camp and preseason and is likely to gets the nod. If not, Wisdom will be re-signed to the practice squad along with Roberts, who has missed time with a surgically repaired knee.