With the preseason all about evaluation, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers‘ defense takes the field Saturday night looking to test its depth and identify contributors across the second and third units. While veterans like Lavonte David and Haason Reddick won’t be suiting up, the night presents a perfect opportunity for rookies, young role players, and practice squad hopefuls to make their mark.

Here are three defensive keys to watch as the Bucs open the 2025 preseason against the Titans.

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Interior pressure from Elijah Roberts and Logan Hall

With the starting defensive line likely resting, expect rookie Elijah Roberts and third-year lineman Logan Hall to lead the interior rotation. Roberts, a fifth-round pick out of SMU, brings explosiveness and strength as a 3-tech or base end in Todd Bowles’ scheme. Hall, who’s battled inconsistency, has a lot to prove heading into a pivotal year.

The Titans are expected to give their backup quarterbacks extended run, so collapsing the pocket from the inside will be key. Tampa Bay wants to see if Roberts can disrupt run plays and generate interior push, something the team lacked consistently behind Vita Vea in 2024.

Edge contributions from Chris Braswell and Jose Ramirez

With Haason Reddick and Yaya Diaby sitting, Chris Braswell and Jose Ramirez will get significant work on the edge. Braswell, entering his second season, is expected to take a leap in 2025. He’s shown flashes of burst and hand usage, but this preseason is about proving he can sustain impact over longer stretches. Ramirez, a former 6th-round pick in the 2023 draft, remains a high-motor player fighting for a rotational spot.

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The Bucs need to see whether this duo can finish plays and provide consistent backside pursuit, to see if they’re going to be part of the regular-season rotation.

Secondary depth under the spotlight

The Bucs invested heavily in their defensive backfield this offseason, drafting Benjamin Morrison and Jacob Parrish, while returning young players like Tykee Smith, Christian Izien, and Josh Hayes. With Jamel Dean and Antoine Winfield Jr. not expected to play, these backups will face real game-speed challenges. Parrish is competing for the nickel role and will need to show stickiness in coverage and composure in zone schemes. Morrison, who dropped in the draft due to a hip injury that needed surgery, has been dominant in camp and could rotate in gradually.

With the Titans likely giving first overall pick Cam Ward his first game action, this is a prime opportunity for Tampa’s secondary depth to create takeaways or key stops and challenge a quarterback looking to be a cornerstone of a franchise.

This article originally appeared on Bucs Wire: Keys for the Bucs’ defense against the Titans offense