The 2021 Tampa Bay Buccaneers roster returns every offensive and defensive starter to defend their Super Bowl title. The team had a solid draft class on both sides of the ball and the only free agent signing was Giovani Bernard. This gives Tom Brady another weapon and an additional veteran leader in the locker room. Bruce Arians and his stellar coaching staff also return to make another run. Let’s take a look at the 53-Man projection for the Buccaneers.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers Full 2021 53-Man Roster Projection
The Offense
Quarterbacks: (3) – Tom Brady, Blaine Gabbert, Kyle Trask
Fairly straightforward here with Brady, Blaine Gabbert, and Kyle Trask. Gabbert is a serviceable backup and the team invested a second-round pick in Trask. They hope he’s the quarterback of the future.
Wide Receivers: (6) – Mike Evans, Chris Godwin, Antonio Brown, Scotty Miller, Tyler Johnson, Jaelon Darden
The core of Mike Evans, Chris Godwin, Antonio Brown, and Scotty Miller is among the NFL’s best. Throw in Tyler Johnson who may have the best hands on the roster and rookie Jaleon Darden and you have quite the set of pass-catchers.
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Running Backs: (4) – Giovani Bernard, Leonard Fournette, Ronald Jones, Ke’Shawn Vaughn
The addition of Bernard gives the Buccaneers a powerful four-headed monster at the running back position with varying skill sets. Ke’Shawn Vaughn has been solid in camp and he survives the final cuts here.
Tight Ends: (3) – Rob Gronkowski, O.J. Howard, Cameron Brate
The pass-catching group as a whole is loaded for the Buccaneers and this also extends to the tight end position. Hall of Famer Rob Gronkowski comes back once again to headline the group. O.J. Howard has had durability issues but his combination of size and speed is fantastic. Cameron Brate is just an overall solid player in the league.
Offensive Line: (9) – Donovan Smith, Tristan Wirfs, Alex Cappa, Ali Marpet, Ryan Jensen, Robert Hainsey, Aaron Stinnie, Josh Wells, Sadarius Hutcherson
These are the main men designated to protect the most valuable commodity in the NFL. The starters from left to right are set in Donovan Smith, Ali Marpet, Ryan Jensen, Alex Cappa, and Tristan Wirfs. Rookie Robert Hainsey has solid tape from Notre Dame and the rest back up along the interior spots.
Specialist: (3) – Ryan Succop, Bradley Pinion, Zach Triner
The same three specialists from 2020 run it back again, as they should this year.
The Defense
Defensive Line: (7) – Ndamukong Suh, Vita Vea, William Gholston, Rakeem Nunez-Roches, Steve McLendon, Khalil Davis, Pat O’Connor
Just a steady and consistent bunch here. Ndamukong Suh and Vita Vea are the big names, but the rest of the group carried them throughout the 2020 season. Khalil Davis should see more time with Suh and Steve McLendon in their mid-thirties. O’Connor makes the team as a special teams contributor.
Linebackers: (9) – Lavonte David, Devin White, Shaq Barrett, Jason Pierre-Paul, Joe Tyron, Anthony Nelson, K.J. Britt, Kevin Minter, Cam Gill
An elite group and the bread and butter of the Buccaneers defense. Lavonte Davis is the captain and soul of the group. Devin White is the protégé in waiting and Shaq Barrett and Jason Pierre-Paul man the outside backer spots. Rookies K.J. Britt and Joe Tryon have been stellar in camp and in games. Veteran Kevin Minter is a solid presence and the rest aid in a backup fashion.
Defensive Backs: (9) – Carlton Davis, Sean Murphy-Bunting, Ross Cockrell, Jamel Dean, Dee Delaney, Antoine Winfield Jr., Jordan Whitehead, Mike Edwards, Javon Hagan
Carlton Davis and Sean Murphy-Bunting are a solid duo and Jamel Dean is set as a nickel corner. Ross Cockrell is that veteran presence you need in a defense back room. The starting safeties of Antoine Winfield Jr. and Jordan Whitehead are a formidable backend. The remaining fill-in as needed and Dee Delaney might get the last spot on the entire 53.
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