Buccaneers Release First Depth Chart for 2023 Season

With just over ten days of training camp officially under their belt, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers' coaching staff has gotten a good look at the many players who are currently competing to make the Bucs' final 53-man roster.

They haven't seen enough to make those roster final decisions at this point, but enough to put together the team's first depth chart of 2023.

It's important to note that with more practices, and three preseason games still to be played, the depth chart is more of a formality at this point. There's no doubt that we will see some changes (maybe a lot) between now and the start of the season.

Still, it's a good indicator of which players have made a strong case for themselves until this point of the offseason.

Here’s the full unofficial depth chart released by the Bucs this morning: pic.twitter.com/zvAkxwb3I1
— Greg Auman (@gregauman) August 8, 2023

Of the 22 starting positions — excluding special teams — the Buccaneers currently have two rookies placed atop their respective position groups. On offense, 2023 second round pick, Cody Mauch, is listed as the team's starting right guard. On the defensive side of the ball, first round pick, Calijah Kancey — who is working his way back from a calf strain — is penciled in as one of the team's starting defensive linemen.

Second year players such as Cade Otton (TE), Luke Goedeke (RT), and Logan Hall (DL), are also seeing their names amongst the starters on the depth chart. Two of this year's free agent acquisitions, Matt Feiler (LG), and Ryan Neal (S), are also listed among the Buccaneers' first group.

There are no major surprises on this first depth chart for the Buccaneers, but there are some intriguing competitions going on at various position groups.

Mike Evans, Chris Godwin, and Russell Gage are all solidified in their roles as the team's starting wide receivers. But an influx of young talent at the position will lead to some tough decisions for the Bucs' front office. Trey Palmer, a 6th round draft pick out of Nebraska, and Rakim Jarrett, an UDFA out of Maryland, have both shown a lot of promise throughout camp. The same could be said for Deven Thompkins, an UDFA from last year, who has continued to provide explosive plays for the Buccaneers' offense in practice — while also finding himself slated as the starting kick and punt returner.

Deven Thompkins with a massive catch deep jumping up in the air to come down with it in tight coverage.

The next play he is targeted and takes it for a first down.

Crowd goes wild at One Buc after two back to back plays by No. 83. #GoBucs pic.twitter.com/22vKLN7R2E
— Logan B. Robinson (@LogansTwitty) August 7, 2023

Based on how these young receivers have performed throughout training camp, don't be surprised if the Buccaneers end up keeping six receivers on the roster to start the season.

The alignment of the defensive line is also interesting. As it stands, the team has five defensive linemen listed atop the depth chart, including four interior players. Calijah Kancey and Logan Hall will compete for the opportunity to start alongside the team's bonafide game-wrecker in the middle, Vita Vea.

With quality depth at the position, including newly signed Greg Gaines, and longtime Buccaneer, Will Gholston, there's no question that all of the interior defensive lineman mentioned will see the field this season. It's important to have a reliable interior rotation on the defensive side — and whichever players prove most productive when the season starts, will end up seeing the most snaps as the season rolls along.

When Tampa Bay moved on from Super Bowl winning kicker, Ryan Succop, it opened the door for a competition there, too. As it stands, Chase McLaughlin appears to have the upper hand on Rodrigo Blankenship. That isn't a big surprise based on how the two have performed in training camp.

Which player will end up earning the starting nickel corner position is yet to be determined. Dee Delaney and Zyon McCollum are both listed as second string outside corners, but it's likely that one (or both) of those players will be spending the majority of their time in the nickel. Of the two, Delaney is the more likely candidate for that role.

Safeties, Ryan Neal and Antoine Winfield Jr. also have experience playing in the slot, but the team doesn't have a lot of depth at safety, and would like to see the two form a reliable tandem at the back end of the defense. Christian Izien, an undrafted player out of Rutgers, is a player to keep an eye on as the preseason approaches. He'll likely get a big opportunity to see the field in those games, and it's fair to assume that he'll have an opportunity to show his versatility by playing different spots in the defensive backfield against live competition, including the nickel.

Last but not least, the quarterbacks. In an usual move, but not all that surprising considering the state of affairs, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers listed Baker Mayfield 'OR' Kyle Trask as the starting quarterback.

Never seen “Or” on a depth chart…. https://t.co/8baT8eYQSD
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) August 8, 2023

Turnovers have been a hot button topic throughout this quarterback competition. And during the team's eleventh day of training camp on Tuesday, both quarterbacks combined to throw 5 interceptions.

Although it's exciting for fans to get their first look at a team's depth chart, there is a lot of football to be played before any decisions are finalized. Fans of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers will surely be keeping a close eye on the preseason, as those games will go a long way towards determining which players gain the upper hand in the position competitions that remain ongoing.

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