Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Vita Vea

DT

Vea is entering the last year of his contract, during which he is scheduled to receive up to $17 million in non-guaranteed funds for play throughout the 2026 season. The defensive tackle played a full season's worth of games for the first time since 2019, and with consistent production leading the defensive line, he likely feels he is entitled to an extension before putting his body on the line another year. If Vea continues to hold in without a trade or extension, Elijah Simmons could develop an increased role in the Buccaneers defense heading into the 2026 regular season.

Anthony Nelson

LB

The linebacker missed the last two regular-season games of 2025 with a knee injury, but he appears to be past the issue. Nelson recorded 38 tackles (21 solo), including 3.0 sacks, two pass breakups, including an interception, and two forced fumbles last year.

Zyon McCollum

CB

The cornerback was placed on IR in December of last season after suffering a hip injury. Now that he's back, he should be able to resume his role as a starter. McCollum started all 30 regular-season games he was available for over the last two campaigns.

Benjamin Morrison

CB

Quadriceps and hamstring injuries limited Morrison to 10 games during his rookie season in 2025, though it's unclear if this is a similar issue. Morrison was selected in the second round of the draft last year and projects as a starter when available.

Bucky Irving

RB

A clip posted by the Buccaneers showed the running back getting in some on-field work Thursday, which included catching passes. It remains to be seen when Irving will be cleared for full contact as he bounces back from offseason shoulder surgery, but his participation in Thursday's session, in any capacity, supports a previous report by ESPN's Adam Schefter that the 2024 fourth-rounder was likely to be ready at some point during training camp. Next up for Irving and his teammates following their current OTAs will be mandatory minicamp from June 16-18.

B.T. Potter

PK

Potter initially signed with the Steelers after going undrafted in 2023, but he was later dropped and has never appeared in an NFL regular-season game. Across his final two seasons at Clemson, the 26-year-old converted all 97 of his point-after tries and 41 of 52 field-goal attempts.

Baker Mayfield

QB

Mayfield suited up for all 17 regular-season games with Tampa Bay in 2025 despite playing through biceps, shoulder, knee and oblique injuries, factors which help explain the step back his in production (3,693 passing yards, 26:11 TD:INT) compared to 2024 (4,500 passing yards, 41:16 TD:INT). While Mayfield will need to adjust to the departure of Mike Evans (signed with 49ers) in 2026, new offensive coordinator Zac Robinson could provide a schematic upgrade, and the Buccaneers have added pass-catching playmakers in rookie third-rounder Ted Hurst and RB Kenneth Gainwell. It would be encouraging for Mayfield's long-term fantasy value if he were to ink a new multi-year deal with Tampa Bay -- where he has displayed a QB1 ceiling -- but the 31-year-old would be highly sought after if he were to hit the free-agent market in 2027. Mayfield is heading into the final season of the three-year, $100 million deal he signed in March 2024.

Ben Bredeson

G

Bredeson is healthy again after having recovered from a knee injury that held him out of the final four games of the 2025 campaign. The 28-year-old is expected to serve as the Buccaneers' starting left guard once again during the upcoming season.

Cody Mauch

G

Mauch appeared in just two games in 2025 due to a knee injury, but it now appears he's moved past the issue. The 27-year-old is expected to operate the Buccaneers' top right guard during the 2026 season.

Ted Hurst

WR

Hurst has the size at 6-foot-4 and 206 pounds and the long-range speed (4.42-second forty) to run the downfield routes vacated by Mike Evans, who is one of this generation's prototypical X receivers. The Bucs used the 84th overall pick on Hurst, who likely would've gone sooner if he'd faced stiffer college competition instead of playing at Georgia State. Hurst drew some Nico Collins comparisons in the pre-draft process. His main competition for playing time in three-wide sets figures to be Jalen McMillan.

Emeka Egbuka

WR

With Mike Evans and Chris Godwin missing a combined 17 regular-season games to injuries last season, Egbuka was forced into multiple roles as a rookie. Godwin split time between the slot and out wide on his 428 offensive snaps, but he figures to play mostly a slot role in three-wide sets under Robinson, who talked up third-round rookie Ted Hurst (6-foot-4, 206 pounds) as a prototypical X receiver Tuesday. After Egbuka got off to a hot start last season, he suffered a hamstring injury in Week 6 and dealt with the issue for multiple weeks despite not missing a contest. Full health and a dedicated position should help him return to form in his second campaign.

Jalon Daniels

QB

A six-year player at Kansas, Daniels finished the 2025 season by completing 62.1 percent of his passes for 2,531 yards, 22 touchdowns and seven interceptions while adding 404 yards (3.5 YPC) and four touchdowns on the ground. He has decent mobility with a 4.65 40-yard dash at the NFL Combine, but he needs to tidy up his work as a passer to have a shot in the NFL. Daniels will battle against Connor Bazelak for the No. 3 QB job behind Baker Mayfield and Jake Browning.

Calijah Kancey

DT

Kancey was sidelined for most of the 2025 season due to a pectoral injury he suffered in Week 2, but the defensive tackle's output has been more than satisfactory for the Buccaneers to justify spending the $14.475 million required to retain him through 2027. The 2023 first-round pick has accumulated 54 tackles (41 solo), including 11.5 sacks, through 29 career regular-season games thus far. With the team selecting linebacker Rueben Bain in the first round of the 2026 NFL Draft, the Bucs will be acquiring an influx of talent on the defensive line that should only increase Kancey's potential for production this season.

Jalen McMillan

WR

The Bucs continued to shake up their wide receiver room by selecting Hurst with the 84th overall pick last Friday. Over the offseason, the team has subtracted Mike Evans, who signed with the 49ers in free agency, and added Hurst to a group that still includes Chris Godwin, Emeka Egbuka, McMillan and Tez Johnson. McMillan missed most of last season with a neck injury before making his debut in Week 15. In four regular-season games, McMillan produced a respectable 12-178-0 line on 15 targets. Egbuka faded fast after a big first half of the campaign, and Godwin didn't look anything like his old self after breaking his ankle in 2024. How this depth chart shakes out during training camp and the preseason will be something to watch for an offense that likes to throw the football.

Bauer Sharp

TE

Sharp made three different stops during his college career, starting out at a lower level at Southeastern Louisiana before transferring to Oklahoma in 2024 and on to LSU in 2025. In his final college campaign with LSU, Bauer compiled 24 grabs for 252 yards and a pair of touchdowns. Sharp lacks some of the athleticism to make plays downfield, but he works well underneath and is a solid blocker. Cade Otton remains entrenched atop the Bucs' depth chart at tight end and Payne Durham is likely aligned behind him, but Sharp could compete with Devin Culp for the No. 3 spot on the depth chart, and the former also figures to be a special-teams candidate.

Billy Schrauth

G

Schrauth boasts solid size (6-5, 310 pounds) and athletic ability, and he started 19 games over his last two seasons at Notre Dame. However, he also missed a significant chunk of contests during his college career, so there is some reason to question his ability to stay healthy. Schrauth does a good job staying in front of defenders but can struggle on occasion getting to quicker rushers and linebackers, and his arm length isn't deal for his position, which can cause some issues. Schrauth will slot into a depth role on the Buccaneers' offensive line, perhaps developing into a contributing role.

DeMonte Capehart

DT

Capehart boasts an ample frame (6-foot-5, 313 pounds) and played 1-technique at Clemson, so there is some potential here for Capehart to develop, but he wasn't a full-time starter in college. The Bucs are taking a lottery ticket on a guy with plenty of potential. However, after racking up 21 tackles and 3.0 sacks as a senior, Capehart will likely require some development.

Keionte Scott

CB

Scott will turn 25 years old prior to the start of the regular season and boasts the experience necessary to hit the ground running as a rookie, making him a candidate to carve out a rotational role in Tampa Bay's secondary early. After beginning his collegiate career at the junior college level, Scott transferred Auburn, where he handled a versatile role split between the slot and outside corner spots from 2022-24. In his sole year with Miami, he truly broke out as an aggressive hybrid nickel, totaling a career-best 64 tackles, including 13 tackles for a loss, 5.0 sacks and two forced fumbles, plus seven passes defensed including two interceptions. He'll likely spend the offseason competing to carve out a rotational role behind 2025 third-round pick Jacob Parrish, who was productive as the Buccaneers' top slot corner in his rookie year.

Josiah Trotter

LB

Trotter will join Tampa Bay's first-round selection Rueben Bain to immediately revitalize head coach Todd Bowles' defense. After beginning his collegiate career at West Virginia, where he emerged as a starter in 2024, Trotter transferred to Missouri in 2025 and earned first-team All-SEC honors while leading the team with 84 tackles. The Buccaneers pursued a pair of established veterans in Alex Anzalone and Christian Rozeboom during free agency to anchor the inside linebacker position, but Trotter's proclivity for production as a run stopper may make it difficult to keep him out of the rotation. Having the benefit of a rookie year to develop prior to competing for starting snaps could help Trotter improve his skills in coverage.

Rueben Bain Jr.

LB

Bain (6-foot-2, 263 pounds) is likely an example of a player whose skill set grade is stronger than his athleticism grade. Bain was utterly dominant at Miami (FL), yet there is concern that his light frame and extremely short arms (30 and 7/8 inches) could make the jump in competition hard on his game. If Bain's arms don't hold him back, though, then he should be one of the better defensive ends in the league, and his addition addressees an area of need (edge rusher) for the Buccaneers. Bain was a dominant starter for each of his three years at Miami, including a 2025 junior season where he posted 9.5 sacks and 15.5 tackles for loss.

Sean Tucker

RB

Tucker recorded 320 yards on 86 carries in 17 games during the 2025 regular season, while working behind Bucky Irving and Rachaad White. While White is now with the Commanders, the Bucs added Kenneth Gainwell to their backfield via free agency last month, and the presence of the former Steeler sets the stage for Tucker to remain the team's No. 3 RB in 2026.

Kemon Hall

CB

Hall will head to Tampa Bay after appearing in four regular-season contests with the Titans in 2025, recording nine solo tackles while playing 66 snaps on defense and 70 with the special-teams unit. The cornerback will provide his new squad with an additional depth option in the secondary, and he'll look to compete for an active roster spot ahead of the 2026 campaign.

Chase Lucas

CB

After appearing in 15 regular-season games for the 49ers in 2025, Lucas hit the open market this offseason once he didn't receive a contract tender as a restricted free agent. Since entering the NFL as a 2022 seventh-rounder (by the Lions), Lucas has made most of his mark as a special teamer, a trend that figures to remain the case for the depth cornerback in Tampa Bay.

David Sills V

WR

Sills logged career-best numbers during his only season with the Falcons in 2025, securing 18 of 36 targets for 191 yards and two touchdowns across 17 regular-season appearances. The 6-foot-3, 211-pound wideout will now work to secure a role on Tampa Bay's crowded wide receiver depth chart.

Justin Skule

OT

Skule previously played for the Buccaneers for three years from 2022-24, though he spent the 2025 campaign with the Vikings. He now returns to Tampa Bay to provide the team with added depth at offensive tackle.