Projecting Tampa Bay Buccaneers' Depth Chart After Peak of Free Agency
When projecting a depth chart, one has to assume there's actually depth of some kind present to begin with. When looking at what the Tampa Bay Buccaneers currently have on paper, that's a generous statement to make.
Struggling through a 2-12 season in their first year under head coach Lovie Smith and general manager Jason Licht, the Bucs have plenty of work to do on their two-deep before they can even begin to thing about being a playoff contender.
There is strength in depth at defensive tackle and running back but multiple positions still need capable starters, let alone solid depth pieces to make rotations more effective and allow the team to combat inevitable injuries.
From where I'm sitting, here's what the Bucs' depth chart could look like when the 2015 season rolls around.
Quarterback
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The Bucs seem to have their sights set on a franchise quarterback at the top of this year's draft, and it appears to be more of a certainty with each passing day.
Mike Glennon could still be traded at some point, but even if he remains on the roster for the 2015 season, it's not likely he'll be the starter. According to Roy Cummings of the Tampa Tribune, Florida State's Jameis Winston remains the favorite to be the Bucs' new signal-caller, and barring any catastrophe, I expect that to be the case.
Many fans would love to get a draft pick in return for Glennon, but he's more valuable to the Bucs as the backup to a rookie starter. Tampa Bay would likely only get a mid-round pick at best for Glennon, which wouldn't outweigh the peace of mind of having a capable young backup quarterback with plenty of starting experience already under his belt.
Running Back
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This unit was already a strength for the Bucs heading into last year's draft, but the addition of Charles Sims gave their offensive backfield yet another boost, and one that could end up netting them a new starter in 2015.
Sims has the skills to be effective on all three downs, though he'll need to run with a lower pad level to stay healthy, especially between the tackles. I wouldn't exactly count on him being a "featured" back, though, as Doug Martin should get plenty of action as well, should he remain on the roster this season.
Bobby Rainey will be back in the fold also, after being the Bucs' most efficient back per touch in 2014. Mike James could find himself on the roster bubble again, but he's probably Tampa Bay's most effective short-yardage back.
This year's draft class is incredibly deep at running back, so don't be shocked if the Bucs add yet another one, especially if another team comes calling about a trade for Martin.
At fullback, both Jorvorskie Lane and Luke Stocker—a tight end who filled in at fullback after Lane's season-ending leg injury, and played well—have both been re-signed and give the Bucs a strong presence in front of their ball-carriers.
Wide Receiver
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The Bucs were hoping for a younger version of Vincent Jackson when they drafted Mike Evans in the top 10 last year, but it looks like they may have gotten a player on an entirely different level.
Both Evans and Jackson are towering targets, but Evans dominated over the second half of the season, snatching the torch away from Jackson as the team's No. 1 receiver and finding the end zone with ridiculous regularity, to the tune of a franchise-record 12 touchdown receptions.
Behind those two, however, things are pretty thin for the Bucs. Veteran Louis Murphy was re-signed, but Robert Herron and Russell Shepard are roster-bubble players at the moment. Herron could still develop into the answer in the slot, but I wouldn't be surprised to see the Bucs take advantage of a deep receiver class and spend another mid-round pick on a player who fits that role. Shepard's greatest value is on special teams coverage.
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Tight End
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Injuries ravaged this group last year, but if they can stay healthy, the Bucs have a decent corps returning to the tight end position in 2015.
Austin Seferian-Jenkins showed flashes of brilliance during his rookie season, but he was held back by nagging injuries starting from all the way back in training camp. With a full offseason to get healthy, he should be primed for a breakout season in 2015.
Brandon Myers and Luke Stocker return to provide solid depth behind Seferian-Jenkins, with Stocker likely to get plenty of action at fullback. He excelled there last season when filling in for the injured Jorvorskie Lane.
Offensive Line
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For a unit that struggled for most of the 2014 season, another offseason of overhaul is likely in store for the Bucs' offensive line, with two new starters possibly coming out of this year's draft.
Demar Dotson will start at one of the tackle spots, but they'll need a new face on the opposite side. With Anthony Collins cut after just one disappointing season, Tampa Bay is currently looking at two young, developmental players in Kevin Pamphile and Matt Patchan as their only depth at tackle.
At guard, Logan Mankins will return to the starting left guard spot, but the right side will be up for grabs again. It wouldn't shock me to see a draft pick or a late free-agent signing in that position when Week 1 rolls around, with the likes of Kadeem Edwards and Garrett Gilkey as the backups.
Evan Dietrich-Smith should start again this year at center, despite a rough 2014 season. Stability at offensive coordinator should help him as much as any player in 2015, though, so a bounce-back season wouldn't be surprising.
Defensive Line
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The Bucs are strong up the middle along the front four, but the complete opposite is true on the edges, which could spell trouble in their Tampa 2 scheme. This is predicated on getting consistent pressure from the defensive line.
Pro Bowler Gerald McCoy anchors the line from his 3-technique spot, notching 8.5 sacks last year while fighting through multiple injuries. Clinton McDonald will likely start next to him again, but a strong rotation waits behind them with Akeem Spence and the newly signed Henry Melton.
At defensive end, the Bucs are extremely thin. Jacquies Smith racked up 6.5 sacks over the final eight games of last season, and he looks set for his first full-time starting gig in 2015. Across from him, there's a huge question mark, and I expect the Bucs to address the position early in this year's draft, perhaps even spending more than one pick to bolster their depth.
William Gholston is a solid run defender, but he lacks the explosiveness off the edge to consistently get after the quarterback. The Bucs need to find a new starter across from Smith in the draft, and they should be able to do just that, thanks to a deep class at that spot.
Linebacker
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Tampa Bay's linebacker corps boasts one of the league's best, a pleasant surprise from 2014, and a newcomer who hopes to be just the right fit in the middle.
Lavonte David will start on the weak side again, following yet another season worthy of a Pro Bowl berth that never came. Danny Lansanah turned heads during training camp, then backed up the hype with a strong showing throughout the regular season. He became the first player in franchise history to start a game at each of the three linebacker spots but should enter 2015 as the starter on the strong side.
The Bucs let Mason Foster walk in free agency, replacing him with free agent Bruce Carter, who brings the athleticism required of the middle linebacker in the Tampa 2. Carter has the ability to flip his hips and get deep down the seams, which is a key component to making the scheme work.
Providing depth and special teams help will be Orie Lemon and Jason Williams, reprising their roles from last season.
Cornerback
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The Bucs' corners didn't start so hot in 2014 but a strong finish down the stretch should have fans expecting big things from this unit in 2015.
Johnthan Banks emerged in his second NFL season as the team's top cover man, leading the team with four interceptions and knocking away 10 passes on the year. Alterraun Verner will start opposite him again, while free-agent signing Sterling Moore should get first crack at the starting nickelback job.
Leonard Johnson and Isaiah Frey will provide depth in the slot, while veteran Mike Jenkins is coming off a season-ending injury and will be chomping at the bit to push Banks and Verner for playing time on the outside.
Safety
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Another unit that struggled to stay healthy and consistent last season, Tampa Bay's safeties could end up being one of their deepest units if they can avoid the injury bug in 2015.
Most Bucs fans expected Dashon Goldson to be cut or traded, but he remains on the roster and looks to be returning to his starting free safety spot, despite failing to play up to his lofty expectations. Behind him, Major Wright will push him and could even end up unseating him as the starter, thanks to his familiarity and comfort with the Tampa 2.
At strong safety, Bradley McDougald will follow up a pleasantly surprising 2014 campaign by being the early favorite to start this season. He flashed playmaking skills against both the pass and run and should develop even further this year. Behind him, free-agent signing Chris Conte will bring more knowledge and experience in the Tampa 2, having played under Lovie Smith in Chicago, just as Wright did.
Kicker
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The Bucs raised plenty of eyebrows last year by cutting veteran Connor Barth in favor of rookie Patrick Murray, but the early returns suggest the team made the right move.
Murray was fantastic in his debut season, connecting on 20 of his 24 field-goal attempts and nailing all 31 of his extra-point tries. He should head into 2015 with very little competition and will provide the Bucs with a valuable, reliable leg to count on in clutch situations.
Punter
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Many believed—myself included—the Bucs would part ways with veteran Michael Koenen this offseason, but it's looking more and more likely he'll return in 2015, despite carrying the 10th-highest cap number on the entire roster, according to Spotrac.
Tampa Bay currently has a pair of younger, cheaper options on the roster in Andrew Wilder and Chase Tenpenny, but for the time being, neither seems a legitimate threat to unseat Koenen as the starter.
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