Predicting Buccaneers Starters vs Chiefs for NFL Preseason Game 2

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are set to play their next preseason game against the Kansas City Chiefs, and it should be an interesting one — for the first time all preseason, starters will play, and it will probably be the only time we see them before Week 1.

Head coach Todd Bowles wants the starters to get some reps, and they certainly will on Saturday night. But who exactly among those starters will play? And for how long?

Here's what to expect on Saturday night, and which starters will likely play on either side of the ball:

Offense

Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Baker Mayfield (6) throws a pass against the Carolina Panthers | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

• QB Baker Mayfield
• RB Bucky Irving
• RB Kenny Gainwell
• LG Ben Bredeson
• C Graham Barton
• RG Cody Mauch
• RT Luke Goedeke
• WR Chris Godwin

The Buccaneers will roll out with an offense that will be similar to its starting lineup in Week 1, with quarterback Baker Mayfield the most notable member. He didn't play at all during preseason last year, but he'll get some playing time this year.

The entire offensive line should start sans left tackle Tristan Wirfs, who is still recovering from a hamstring injury. The running back room with Irving and Gainwell should go, but the wideouts room is a little beat up at the moment with both Emeka Egbuka (toe) and Jalen McMillan (knee) likely resting.

As a result, wideout Chris Godwin should be the only starter to play at wideout. Expect him to play alongside players like Ted Hurst and Tez Johnson, among others.

Defense

Tampa Bay Buccaneers linebacker Rueben Bain Jr. (3) participates in training camp at AdventHealth Training Center | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

• EDGE Rueben Bain Jr.
• DT Calijah Kancey
• DT A'Shawn Robinson
• EDGE Yaya Diaby
• LB Alex Anzalone
• LB SirVocea Dennis
• S Tykee Smith
• S Antoine Winfield Jr.
• CB Zyon McCollum
• CB Jacob Parrish
• CB Benjamin Morrison

Most of Tampa Bay's starting defense should play on Saturday.

The one notable player who will not is defensive tackle Vita Vea. Vea recently netted himself a $30 million extension with the Bucs, but he hasn't been practicing all training camp and probably won't see any meaningful playing action until Week 1.

Dennis has been starting at linebacker for the Bucs during first team drills, so he should get the start in this preseason game over draft pick Josiah Trotter.

The cornerbacks are the hardest ones to predict, as both McCollum and Morrison are a bit banged up. That being said, both have practiced in team drills this week, and there's a good chance they both get a small amount of work for a series or two given that.

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