Bucs Nation
Let’s take a preliminary look at how the rookie class might slot into the big picture.
The Buccaneers welcomed six new players into the fold over the weekend, and their entire 2025 NFL Draft class has a great chance to make the roster come Week 1 kickoff.
So how does their arrival affect current roster names, if at all? Let’s take a quick look at how the depth chart might be shaping up entering off-season workouts and, eventually, training camp.
Undrafted free agents will not be included in this projection, rookies denoted by italicized text.
Baker Mayfield / Kyle Trask / Michael Pratt
No changes or surprises here. Pratt will try to unseat recently re-signed Kyle Trask as primary backup but otherwise Mayfield will go in looking to build on his career season in 2024 (4,500 yards passing, 41 touchdown passes).
Bucky Irving / Rachaad White / Sean Tucker / D.J. Williams
No surprises here either. There was some buzz about White being a possible trade candidate last weekend due to an expiring rookie deal and reduced workload given Irving’s explosive debut, but he sticks around as a high-quality RB2 and primary option in the passing game. Tucker should continue providing valuable insurance / change-of-pace snaps here and there, and D.J. Williams is just the practice squad guy.
Mike Evans / Trey Palmer / Rakim Jarrett / Dennis Houston
Chris Godwin / Jalen McMillan / Ryan Miller / Marquez Callaway
Emeka Egbuka / Sterling Shepard / Tez Johnson / Kam Johnson / Tanner Knue
Some prominent new prospects will result in the shuffling around of existing ones not named Mike Evans or Chris Godwin.
Egbuka, the team’s first-round pick at 19th overall, will be taking over McMillan’s previously held No. 3 role despite the latter coming on late down the stretch in 2024. They play different roles and have dissimilar skill sets, so it’s not a true one-for-one swap. I would still expect McMillan to get playing time and figure into the team’s long-term plans.
Egbuka is thought to primarily be a slot target, but Todd Bowles was adamant they see him as a do-it-all player who can play across the formation, which theoretically should still allow Godwin to excel in the slot like he has most of his career (as long as his ankle recovery is going well). At the worst, Egbuka provides insurance as Godwin works his way back.
Tez Johnson is diminutive at just 5-foot-10, 154 pounds, but he’s a human joystick with more dynamic playmaking ability than several people already on the roster. He’ll get the inside track at a receiver No. 6 behind Shepard, who’s Mayfield’s guy and provided valuable snaps when injuries struck last year. Johnson’s additional utility as a punt returner boosts his chances.
Cade Otton / Payne Durham / Devin Culp / Ko Kieft / Tanner Tuala
Otton remains undisputed TE1 as the Bucs transition offensive playcallers yet again, this...
