Each week during the regular season, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers’ communications department publishes a “Game Release” to aid the media in coverage of their upcoming game. Within that release are a number of documents regarding the player roster, including a depth chart, which lists the pecking order at every position on offense, defense and special teams.
Each game week, we will be taking a closer look at that depth chart, pointing out any changes or relevant notes from the previous game and which players saw notable action in that game. Let’s start on offense. Rookies are marked with an asterisk. Players we will be discussing in depth are highlighted in bold text.
WR: Mike Evans, Ryan Miller
WR: Chris Godwin, Sterling Shepard, Kameron Johnson
LT: Tristan Wirfs, Charlie Heck
LG: Ben Bredeson, Elijah Klein
RT: Luke Goedeke, Benjamin Chukwuma
WR: Emeka Egbuka*, Tez Johnson*
TE: Cade Otton, Payne Durham, Ko Kieft, Devin Culp
QB: Baker Mayfield, Teddy Bridgewater
RB: Bucky Irving, Rachaad White, Sean Tucker, Josh Williams*
With Chris Godwin and Jalen McMillan sidelined, rookie Emeka Egbuka emerged as the clear number-two receiver alongside Mike Evans, and in fact Egbuka played more snaps than Evans, 54 to 48 out of a possible 58. Egbuka’s NFL debut included four catches for 67 yards and two touchdowns, including the game-winner with 59 seconds left in regulation. Meanwhile, Sterling Shepard was also the obvious third receiver in for the Bucs, with 37 offensive snaps, or 64% of the total. Shepard was targeted six times, the same as Egbuka, and contributed three catches for 39 yards.
The Buccaneers did not make any changes to their depth chart along the offensive line, even though three players stepped into new positions in Sunday’s season-opening win at Atlanta in a move the Buccaneers’ coaching staff had kept under wraps until shortly before the game. That’san indication that All-Pro left tackle Tristan Wirfs will be returning to the lineup sooner rather than later. Against the Falcons, second-year center Graham Barton kicked out to left tackle, Ben Bredeson slid from left guard into the center spot and Michael Jordan took over at left guard. Jordan is not listed on the depth chart because he is currently on the practice squad and was only in the game after being elevated for game day. All three played every offensive snap.
Bucky Irving got most of the work in the backfield, with 44 snaps to 14 for Rachaad White and two for Sean Tucker. Irving ran 14 times for 37 yards and added four catches for eight yards and a touchdown. The Buccaneers started the game in a two-TE set, with Payne Durham joining Cade Otton. Durham eventually played 15 offensive snaps.
NT: Vita Vea, Greg Gaines
DL: Logan Hall, Elijah Roberts*
OLB: Yaya Diaby, Chris Braswell, Markees Watts
ILB: SirVocea Dennis, John Bullock*
ILB: Lavonte David, Deion Jones
OLB: Haason Reddick, Anthony Nelson
CB: Jamel Dean, Benjamin Morris*, Kindle Vildor
CB: Zyon McCollum, Jacob Parrish*, Josh Hayes
S: Antoine Winfield Jr., Christian Izien, Rashad Wisdom
S: Tykee Smith, Kaevon Merriweather