Grading the Buccaneers' 16-15 Preseason Win Against The Chiefs

The Buccaneers yet again got another preseason, win this time against the Kansas City Chiefs. Many players stepped up, especially on the defensive side of the ball. Let's go over each position group in the Bucs' win and talk about who played well and who played badly.

Aug 22, 2026; Tampa, Florida, USA; Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Jalon Daniels (10) looks on against the Kansas City Chiefs fourth quarter during a preseason game at Raymond James Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn Images | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

Quarterbacks: B+

Jalon Daniels looked fantastic for the Bucs, with 9/14 passing for 71 yards and a touchdown. He had a 100.6 quarterback rating and also added 19 yards on the ground on seven rushing attempts. Browning, for what it's worth, was not bad either, and finished 8/11 passing for 84 yards and also had 14 rushing yards on two carries. Starter Baker Mayfield posted 2/4 passing for 10 yards.

Aug 22, 2026; Tampa, Florida, USA; Tampa Bay Buccaneers running back Sean Tucker (44) runs the ball in for a touchdown against the Kansas City Chiefs during the second half at Raymond James Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement Neitzel-Imagn Images | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

Running Backs: C+

It was rough sledding for the Bucs backs in this game. Sean Tucker was the best out of the bunch with five carries for 23 yards and a touchdown. Meanwhile, starter Bucky Irving finished with three carries for 14 yards. Josh Williams had two carries for nine yards and new running back Barika Kpeenu had four carries for 13 yards.

Aug 22, 2026; Tampa, Florida, USA; Tampa Bay Buccaneers wide receiver Dean Patterson (8) is tackled by Kansas City Chiefs safety Tanner McCalister (34) in the fourth quarter during a preseason game at Raymond James Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn Images | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

Wide Receivers: C+

Kameron Johnson and Dean Patterson led the way for the Bucs receivers in this one. Johnson finished with four catches and 56 yards and Patterson had six total receptions for 56 yards. Garrett Greene had one catch for eight yards and David Sills V had one catch for negative one yard. Rookie receiver Ted Hurst III had one target, but no catches.

Aug 10, 2024; Cincinnati, Ohio, USA; Tampa Bay Buccaneers tight end Ko Kieft (41) runs with the ball against the Cincinnati Bengals in the second half at Paycor Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Katie Stratman-USA TODAY Sports | USA TODAY Sports via Reuters Connect

Tight Ends: C

Shoutout to Bucs veteran tight end Ko Kieft, who had two catches for four yards and a touchdown as well. Rookie Bauer Sharp had two catches for 13 yards, while rookie Kenny Fletcher Jr. had one target but no catches.

Aug 1, 2025; Tampa, FL, USA; Tampa Bay Buccaneers offensive tackle Luke Haggard (72) looks on before training camp at AdventHealth Training Center. Mandatory Credit: Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn Images | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

Offensive Line: D-

The Bucs' offensive line was very thin at tackle in this matchup, as starter Tristan Wirfs and backups Ben Chukwuma and Justin Skule did not play in this game. The line struggled to protect the quarterback as Jake Browning took multiple heavy hits, and Jalon Daniels had to show his athleticism to the fullest to avoid pressure in the pocket. Luke Haggard especially struggled, giving up multiple pressures and having a penalty or two.

Aug 22, 2026; Tampa, Florida, USA; Tampa Bay Buccaneers linebacker Mohamed Kamara (59) and linebacker Anthony Nelson (98) sack Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Justin Fields (6) during the first half at Raymond James Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement Neitzel-Imagn Images | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

Defensive Line: B+

If I didn't include pass-rushing outside linebackers in this group, they would likely get a B- or a C+. Yasir Holmes led the way for this group with four tackles, while Anthony Nelson had four tackles, one and a half sacks and one quarterback hit. Elijah Roberts had four tackles, Jack Pyburn had three tackles and Mohamed Kamara had three tackles, a half sack and two quarterback hits. Al-Quadin Muhammad, Yaya Diaby and David Walker combined for four quarterback hits, with Walker having two of the four.

Aug 7, 2026; Tampa, FL, USA; Tampa Bay Buccaneers linebacker Caden Fordham (46) participates in training camp at AdventHealth Training Center. Mandatory Credit: Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn Images | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

Linebackers: B+

Caden Fordham continues to impress with seven total tackles tonight and one tackle for loss. John Bullock also had some very good moments in the game with four tackles, one tackle for loss and a forced fumble. Finally, Javin Wright had three tackles and one pass deflection.

Aug 22, 2026; Tampa, Florida, USA; Tampa Bay Buccaneers linebacker Anthony Nelson (98) and safety Rashad Wisdom (38) tackle Kansas City Chiefs running back Brashard Smith (24) during the first half at Raymond James Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement Neitzel-Imagn Images | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

Defensive Backs: B

Rashad Wisdom led the way for the Bucs today with nine total tackles. Rookie Ayden Garnes had five tackles and one pass deflection, while second-year player Roman Parodie had two tackles, one pass deflection, and one interception.

Nov 16, 2025; Orchard Park, New York, USA; Tampa Bay Buccaneers place kicker Chase McLaughlin (4) makes a field goal out of the hold of punter Riley Dixon (9) against the Buffalo Bills during the first quarter of the game at Highmark Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Gregory Fisher-Imagn Images | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

Special Teams: B-

B.T. Potter was great on the night, making his lone 46-yard field goal and his lone extra point. Meanwhile, Riley Dixon had five punts for 235 yards, averaging 47 yards per punt, with two of his punts going inside the 20-yard line.

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