Predicting the Buccaneers' Depth Chart Ahead of Training Camp

Nothing surprising here. Mayfield is set to be QB1 for Tampa Bay for the fourth consecutive season, and he could even get a big payday cementing that status before training camp. The Bucs brought on Jake Browning to be his backup, and UDFA Jalon Daniels and second-year QB Connor Bazelak are competing for the QB3 spot — and it looks like Bazelak has the inside track.

RB

Expect Irving and Gainwell to have almost a 50-50 split in the backfield. At the moment, Irving is the tenured player and is technically the starter, but don't be surprised if Gainwell ends up taking over that role from him once the regular season gets going. The Bucs continue to like Tucker as an RB3 option, and he offers a different speedy archetype from Irving and Gainwell.

WR

This is a wonky depth chart to predict because McMillan and Egbuka can play anywhere on the field. Egbuka should be the team's Z receiver, per offensive coordinator Zac Robinson, and Godwin's mist effective position is the slot. That would leave McMillan outside as the X if the Bucs come out with three wideouts, but the team drafted Ted Hurst to be able to play that role, so don't be surprised if he ends up breaking into the lineup sooner rather than later.

TE

Otton was extended on a three-year deal this season and will continue to be Tampa Bay's main option. Durham is the other tight end who can both block and catch in a similar frame, so he'll be TE2. Kieft will be a sorely missed special teams option for Tampa Bay, but he can also fit in well as a fullback or as an extra blocker in 12 or 13 personnel. Finally, new sixth-round pick Sharp is competing for the TE4 spot with Devin Culp, and we think he'll beat him out for that position.

OL

Tampa Bay's starting offensive line — Wirfs, Bredeson, Barton, Mauch and Goedeke — are set from last year, and that unit will try its best to stay healthy and be able to play together in 2026. If that doesn't happen, though, Chukwuma should serve as swing tackle and will compete with Justin Skule for that spot. Feeney currently serves as swing guard like he did last year, but his job there will be under pressure from fifth-rounder Billy Schrauth.

EDGE

The Bucs drafted Bain to revitalize their edge rushing prowess, so he'll start alongside the incumbent Diaby. Muhammad, whom the Bucs picked up in free agency from the Detroit Lions, should be an excellent rotational edge rusher to replace either of them, and then Nelson and Walker will be the last rotational rushers who should see a few snaps here and there. Former second-round pick Chris Braswell is the odd man out, and we don't see him making the roster at the moment.

DT

Todd Bowles loves to shuffle people around, so this is another depth chart that is very fluid. Vea will start at nose tackle and Capehart should beat out Elijah Simmons for the second spot, but Robinson and Nunez-Roches can also play nose tackle if needed. They'll probably rotate in the defensive end spots in Bowles' 4-3, though, with Calijah Kancey and Elijah Roberts both serving as strong pass-rushing options there.

LB

Anzalone will take the brunt of coverage work and the biggest assignments after coming to Tampa Bay from Detroit, and Trotter will fulfill a MIKE linebacker role alongside him. The next rotational player out is Rozeboom, who had over 100 total tackles for the Panthers last year, and he'll beat out Dennis, who did not impress in his first season starting with the Bucs.

CB

Parrish's arrival in the outside cornerback room should make McCollum and Morrison nervous, but for now, both are set to start on either side of the field. Parrish comes in from the nickel slot to the outside cornerback slot, so Scott, a fourth-round draft pick out of Miami, should get the brunt of his work at the nickel position this year.

S

Winfield and Smith are running mates once again in 2026 after a very successful pairing in 2025. Killebrew is a special teams player, but he's enough of a veteran to take snaps at safety when needed, so he'll likely compete for a backup spot with the likes of Rashad Wisdom and Marcus Banks. The Bucs are really excited about Roberts, who tore his ACL in training camp last year, so he'll be a part of the safeties room as well.