With preseason roster cuts due by 4PM on Tuesday, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers have two rosters to consider both ahead and after this deadline. While the main roster will see some fluctuation at the margins of the depth chart, the Bucs must assemble the entirety of the practice squad in the next day or so.
Certainly, the Bucs’ front office has the practice squad in mind with many of the cuts they are making, but some players will no doubt be prioritized. Former draft picks, preseason standouts and key depth players will be the focus of Tampa’s practice squad machinations.
Here are the key players the Bucs should sign to this year’s practice squad:
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It is not unusual for a late Day 3 draft pick to get cut before taking a regular-season snap, but it doesn’t mean the team is giving up on the player. Sixth-rounder Jose Ramirez was facing a stacked deck to make Tampa’s roster. They already had three entrenched veterans, but they also spent a third-round pick on EDGE Yaya Diaby, whose draft status was definitely more likely to protect him.
Ramirez was also restricted by a hamstring injury sustained during the first preseason game that held him to just five snaps in three games. Facing stiff competition from preseason stars Cam Gill and Markees Watts, Ramirez will have to get healthy and await a spot to open up at the outside linebacker rotation on the main roster.
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J.J. Russell was a star for most of the preseason and but finished with an uninspired performance against the Baltimore Ravens. He also faced stiff competition from core special teamer K.J. Britt and fifth-rounder SirVocea Dennis, who was a training camp standout before injuries sidelined him during the preseason.
It appears Dennis’s draft status may have helped him stay on the roster at Russell’s expense. However, he is no doubt a top target for the Bucs to keep on the practice squad.
(AP Photo/Mike Carlson)
Undrafted rookie Tanner Taula was a long shot to make the Week 1 roster, but his size and athleticism are intriguing enough to make him a priority practice squad target. The former Illinois State Redbird caught just two passes for 30 yards during the preseason. He certainly needs development, but a 6’6″, 251-pound frame with functional athleticism is worth a spot on the practice squad.
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Third-string quarterback John Wolford may not be on the main roster, but the Bucs will certainly be keeping him close. NFL teams have learned in recent years that keeping three quarterbacks on hand can, or at least should have, staved off disaster. Injuries to both Baker Mayfield and Kyle Trask are ever possible behind a reshuffled offensive line and a scheme that will ask them to bootleg into harm’s way on occasion. Wolford may not be on the main roster, but the Bucs cannot afford to lose him.
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Undrafted rookie tackle Raiqwon O’Neal could very well have made the final roster and could be called up from the practice at some point during the season. He was Pro Football Focus’ 8th-highest graded tackle from this preseason, doing his best work at left tackle. With no proven depth at tackle, O’Neal’s apparent potential is more than enough to get him on the practice squad a fast as possible.
