Ranking Tampa Bay's Top 5 Sleepers to Watch in Camp

Training camp is always full of surprises. As usual, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers have a handful of players who could emerge as significant additions to the final roster.

Last year exposed numerous roster weaknesses in Tampa Bay, some of which were self-inflicted by coach Lovie Smith and general manager Jason Licht. This year the Bucs started to address roster holes both old and new.

They added several new project starters at quarterback, on the offensive line and throughout the defense. Despite these high-profile additions, opportunities remain for some the less heralded players to make an impact.

For some of the veterans like running back Mike James, this year could be a last chance to stick to an NFL roster. For others like punter Spencer Lanning, they will compete against established starters who may be on their last leg in Tampa Bay.

The top sleepers to watch are the undrafted rookies who can't lean on draft status to make the roster. Everything they earn from this point will be hard fought, and they must seize the attention of the Bucs coaching staff.

Here are the Bucs' top five sleepers going into this year's training camp.

5. Mike James

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Desperation makes for a great motivator. Facing possibly his last chance to make his mark, running back Mike James could be the under-the-radar ball-carrier to watch in Tampa Bay.

He has been the forgotten back in Tampa Bay since his rookie season. The former Miami Hurricane was primed to break out after a monster 158-yard game against the Seahawks in Week 9 of the 2013 season, but he broke his ankle the following week, which ended his season.

James was the forgotten back last season, carrying the ball only 19 times for a measly 37 yards. While the run game was abysmal regardless of who was holding the ball, he needed to make the most of his opportunities, especially with three running backs ahead of him on the depth chart.

James is unlikely to supplant Doug Martin or Charles Sims, who will be competing for the bulk of the carries. James' best chance of expanding his role is showing he can be just as effective as Bobby Rainey.

Though Rainey has been the Bucs' most effective back over the past two years, he's been relegated to backup duties, which indicates he's not beloved by the coaching staff. Athletically, James is at least on par with Rainey and actually poses a smaller cost to the salary cap.

James is also a contributor on special teams, so his value shouldn't be underestimated. He flashed potential before, and now he knows he has to make good on it.

4. Khaseem Greene

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Linebacker Khaseem Greene was not a good fit for the Chicago Bears. He should have better luck in Tampa, though.

The Bears drafted Greene in 2013 shortly after firing Lovie Smith. After two unremarkable seasons, Chicago waived Greene in May. The Bucs used their first priority on the waiver wire to pick up the former Rutgers linebacker.

It's ironic the Bears drafted Greene after firing Smith considering he is an ideal fit for a Tampa 2 defense. Like the other linebackers the Bucs added this offseason, Greene's greatest strength is his athleticism, though his tackling and instincts need improving.

Given the addition of linebackers Bruce Carter and fourth-round draft pick Kwon Alexander, Greene's addition flew under the radar. It's unlikely he will compete for a starting role at first, but he should make the roster on special teams and could be a key depth player later in the season.

3. Spencer Lanning

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The Bucs' newest punter may be stretching the definition of "sleeper." Spencer Lanning was the Browns punter the last two seasons and has plenty of NFL experience. The question is whether he is good enough to supplant Michael Koenen.

The Bucs claimed Lanning off waivers after the Browns cut him following their trade for former 49ers punter Andy Lee. Though being cut is not a great endorsement of Lanning's skills, he was cut for a four-time All-Pro player and perennially one of the best punters in the league.

Lanning will enter training camp against a vulnerable Koenen. One of the league's worst punters last year, he averaged a measly 37.1 net yards per punt. In comparison, Lanning averaged 39.2 net yards per punt.

Koenen apparently suffered from mononucleosis last season, which sapped his strength through most of the season. That only explains how awful he was in 2014, not how mediocre he's been since joining the Bucs. His net average since joining the team is a mere 38.3 yards.

Lanning isn't a huge upgrade over Koenen, but any upgrade may be good enough.

2. Donteea Dye

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Small-school prospects like wide receiver Donteea Dye embody the excitement and uncertainty of training camp. The mystery that left him available after the draft could make him a surprise roster addition or just another camp casualty.

Dye played for Heidelberg University, a D-III school in Ohio. Though D-I schools scouted him, a knee injury his senior year left him playing for Heidelberg.

The 6'0", 195-pound receiver improved every year at Heidelberg, finishing his final year with 57 receptions for 1,022 yards and 14 touchdowns. Despite his excellent stats, he went undrafted and was not immediately signed in post-draft free agency.

The Bucs only signed Dye as a tryout player following an impressive showing at their rookie minicamp.

He could provide the one thing the team sorely lacks at the wide receiver position: quickness. The Bucs have size and strength with Mike Evans and Vincent Jackson. They even have speed with Louis Murphy and Kenny Bell.

What the Bucs need now is a receiver with the agility to take the quick passes inside. According to wide receivers coach Andrew Hayes-Stocker, Dye could be that player, per Buccaneers.com's Scott Smith:

"

He's fast, he's got juice. That's the first thing that shows up when you see him. He's really athletic, very agile, very good hands, great body movement, really good body lean for a receiver. That's a surprise for a guy that came from where he's coming from. Great first impression. Really happy with him.

"

The odds are stacked against Dye to make the roster, but if he can translate his production at Heidelberg to the NFL, he could be the Bucs' best sleeper on offense.

1. Ryan Delaire

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The Bucs badly need quality pass-rushers, regardless of pedigree or draft status. A key addition might be right under their noses in former Towson defensive end Ryan Delaire.

Delaire proved to be a consistent and effective pass-rusher in college, racking up 22.5 sacks and 32 tackles for a loss. The biggest knock on him is the lack of refinement in his game, but that's expected for a D-1AA prospect.

What stands out about Delaire is the sheer violence with which he pursues the football, both in his hands in the quarterback and in the run game. He often caught offensive linemen off guard with his sudden rips and how sharply he can turn a corner.

Though he's far from a complete player, Delaire specializes in the very thing the Bucs desperately need. They have few established pass-rushers, so he has a real opportunity to make the final roster.