Jenna Laine, ESPN Staff Writer 8y

Bucs' 53-man roster projection leans heavily towards youth

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers wrapped up their three-day mandatory minicamp on Thursday and will report to training camp July 27 at the team’s facility in Tampa, Florida. Here’s a 53-man roster projection:

Quarterbacks (2): Jameis Winston, Mike Glennon.

Bucs can have a third quarterback on the practice squad.

Running backs (4): Doug Martin, Charles Sims, Mike James, Storm Johnson.

Bucs opt to not keep a traditional fullback on the roster because of Danny Vitale.

Wide receivers (7): Vincent Jackson, Mike Evans, Louis Murphy, Kenny Bell, Russell Shepard, Adam Humphries, Bernard Reedy.

Bucs get their punt and kick returner in “Speedy Reedy,” as head coach Dirk Koetter calls him, while Shepard continues his outstanding work on special teams.

Tight ends (4): Cameron Brate, Austin Seferian-Jenkins, Brandon Myers, Danny Vitale.

Rookie Vitale’s versatility as a tight end and fullback (he played the role of “superback” at Northwestern) ultimately gives him the edge over veteran Luke Stocker.

Offensive line (9): Donovan Smith, Demar Dotson, Ali Marpet, Joe Hawley, Evan Smith, J.R. Sweezy, Gosder Cherilus, Kevin Pamphile, Caleb Benenoch.

Pamphile’s versatility -- lining up at offensive tackle, inside at guard and snapping the ball this offseason as a center -- make him an invaluable contributor, while Benenoch’s experience at both guard and tackle in college earn him a job.

Defensive line (9): Gerald McCoy, Clinton McDonald, Akeem Spence, A.J. Francis, Noah Spence, Robert Ayers, William Gholston, Jacquies Smith, Howard Jones.

Jones’ impact play-making and special teams ability give him the edge over veteran George Johnson.

Linebackers (6): Lavonte David, Kwon Alexander, Daryl Smith, Devonte Bond, Cassanova McKinzy, Adarius Glanton.

Bond edges Luke Rhodes for the backup middle linebacker spot.

Cornerbacks (5): Alterraun Verner, Brent Grimes, Vernon Hargreaves, Johnthan Banks, Jude Adjei-Barimah.

Adjei-Barimah gets the edge over Josh Robinson because he can line up outside and in nickel.

Safety (4): Bradley McDougald, Chris Conte, Keith Tandy, Ryan Smith.

Tandy’s versatility earns him a roster spot once again, while Smith’s coverage skills and quickness as a former cornerback earn him the job. Veteran Major Wright misses the cut.

Specialists (3): PK Roberto Aguayo, P Jake Schum, LS Andrew DePaola. 

Schum beats out Bryan Anger for the punt job.

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