Each week during the regular season, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers' communications department publishes a "Game Release" to aid the media in coverage of their upcoming game. Within that release are a number of documents regarding the player roster, including a depth chart, which lists the pecking order at every position on offense, defense and special teams.
Each game week, we will be taking a closer look at that depth chart, pointing out any changes or relevant notes from the previous game…or in this case for Week One, the major differences from the chart at the end of last offseason. Let's start on offense. Rookies are marked with an asterisk. Players we will be discussing in depth are highlighted in bold text.
OFFENSE
WR: Mike Evans, Ryan Miller
WR: Chris Godwin, Sterling Shepard, Kameron Johnson
LT: Tristan Wirfs, Charlie Heck
LG: Ben Bredeson, Elijah Klein
C: Graham Barton
RG: Cody Mauch
RT: Luke Goedeke, Benjamin Chukwuma *
WR: Emeka Egbuka *, Tez Johnson *
TE: Cade Otton, Payne Durham, Ko Kieft, Devin Culp
QB: Baker Mayfield, Teddy Bridgewater
RB: Bucky Irving, Rachaad White, Sean Tucker, Josh Williams *
Though it's due in part to Chris Godwin's continued rehab from last year's ankle injury and the severe neck strain that Jalen McMillan suffered during the preseason, it is not terribly shocking that rookie wideout Emeka Egbuka is listed among the starters. That's true even with Godwin, who is not expected to play in Week One, still occupying one of the three starting receiver spots on the depth chart. Egbuka, the 19th overall pick in the 2025 draft, has consistently impressed the coaching staff with his route-running and sticky hands throughout training camp and the preseason.
The first two starts on the running back line are a flip from the start of last season but not actually a new development in 2025 as Bucky Irving had overtaken Rachaad White for the starting role by last December. The tight end depth chart is an exact duplicate of how those four players were arranged all of last year, though it's possible Devin Culp carves out a somewhat bigger role in the offense this year.
The Buccaneers only kept eight offensive linemen on the active roster but have five more on the practice squad who could be called up and active on a game day. That may be the case this week, with starting left tackle Tristan Wirfs likely to miss the opener as well. Benjamin Chukwuma, one of three undrafted rookies to make the team, mostly worked at left tackle in training camp and the first two preseason games but he saw action at both tackle spots in the final game and graded out well with the coaching staff. Though he has very little football experience he has real swing-tackle potential. The Buccaneers only kept one backup interior offensive lineman in second-year man Elijah Klein, who worked at all three spots at varying times in training camp.
Here is the full 2025 Tampa Bay Buccaneers' 53-Man Roster.
PITTSBURGH, PA - August 16, 2025 - Center Graham Barton #62 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during the preseason game between the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Pittsburgh Steelers. The Bucs won the game, 17-14. Photo By Tori Richman/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - October 21, 2024 - Outside Linebacker Chris Braswell #43 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during the Monday Night Football game between the Baltimore Ravens and Tampa Bay Buccaneers. The Bucs lost the game 31-41. Photo By Kyle Zedaker/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - October 21, 2024 - Guard Ben Bredeson #68 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during the game between the Baltimore Ravens and Tampa Bay Buccaneers. The Bucs lost the game, 41-31. Photo By Tori Richman/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
PITTSBURGH, PA - August 16, 2025 - Quarterback Teddy Bridgewater #16 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during the preseason game between the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Pittsburgh Steelers. The Bucs won the game, 17-14. Photo By Kyle Zedaker/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
PITTSBURGH, PA - August 16, 2025 - Linebacker John Bullock #57 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during the preseason game between the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Pittsburgh Steelers. The Bucs Won the game, 17-14. Photo By Kyle Zedaker/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - August 23, 2025 - Offensive Tackle Ben Chukwuma #70 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during the preseason game between the Buffalo Bills and Tampa Bay Buccaneers. The Bucs lost the game, 23-19. Photo By Kyle Zedaker/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - August 23, 2024 - Tight End Devin Culp #82 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during the preseason game between the Miami Dolphins and Tampa Bay Buccaneers. The Bucs won the game, 24-14. Photo By Doug DeFelice/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - November 10, 2024 - Inside Linebacker Lavonte David #54 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during the game between the San Francisco 49ers and Tampa Bay Buccaneers. The Bucs lost the game 23-20. Photo By Doug DeFelice/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - September 08, 2024 - Cornerback Jamel Dean #35 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during the game between the Washington Commanders and Tampa Bay Buccaneers. The Bucs won the game, 37-20. Photo By Doug DeFelice/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - November 10, 2024 - Long Snapper Evan Deckers #86 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during the game between the San Francisco 49ers and Tampa Bay Buccaneers. The Bucs lost the game 23-20. Photo By Kyle Zedaker/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - August 09, 2025 - Inside Linebacker SirVocea Dennis #8 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during the preseason game between the Tennessee Titans and Tampa Bay Buccaneers. The Bucs won the game, 29-7. Photo By Mike Carlson/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
CHARLOTTE, NC - December 01, 2024 - Outside Linebacker Yaya Diaby #0 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during the game between the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Carolina Panthers. The Bucs won the game in overtime, 26-23. Photo By Kyle Zedaker/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - August 23, 2025 - Punter Riley Dixon #92 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during the preseason game between the Buffalo Bills and Tampa Bay Buccaneers. The Bucs lost the game, 23-19. Photo By Kyle Zedaker/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ - November 24, 2024 - Tight End Payne Durham #87 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during the game between the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and New York Giants. The Bucs won the game, 30-7. Photo By Tori Richman/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - August 09, 2025 - Wide Receiver Emeka Egbuka #9 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during the preseason game between the Tennessee Titans and Tampa Bay Buccaneers. The Bucs won the game, 29-7. Photo By Mike Carlson/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - January 12, 2025 - Wide Receiver Mike Evans #13 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during the NFC Wild Card game between the Washington Commanders and Tampa Bay Buccaneers. The Bucs lost the game, 23-20. Photo By Will Vragovic/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - August 23, 2025 - Defensive Lineman Greg Gaines #96 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during the preseason game between the Buffalo Bills and Tampa Bay Buccaneers. The Bucs lost the game, 23-19. Photo By Tori Richman/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
NEW ORLEANS, LA - October 13, 2024 - Wide Receiver Chris Godwin #14 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers scores a touchdown during the game between the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and New Orleans Saints. The Bucs won the game, 51-27. Photo By Doug DeFelice/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
NEW ORLEANS, LA - October 13, 2024 - Guard Luke Goedeke #67 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during the game between the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and New Orleans Saints. The Bucs won the game, 51-27. Photo By Tori Richman/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - September 22, 2024 - Defensive Lineman Logan Hall #90 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during the game between the Denver Broncos and Tampa Bay Buccaneers. The Bucs lost the game, 26-7. Photo By Doug DeFelice/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - August 11, 2023 - Defensive Back Josh Hayes #32 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during the preseason game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and Tampa Bay Buccaneers. The Bucs lost the game 27-17. Photo By Kyle Zedaker/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
PITTSBURGH, PA - August 16, 2025 - Guard Ben Bredeson #68 and Tackle Charlie Heck #77 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during the preseason game between the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Pittsburgh Steelers. The Bucs won the game, 17-14. Photo By Tori Richman/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - January 12, 2025 - Running Back Bucky Irving #7 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during the NFC Wild Card game between the Washington Commanders and Tampa Bay Buccaneers. The Bucs lost the game, 23-20. Photo By Brennan Asplen/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
CHARLOTTE, NC - December 01, 2024 - Safety Christian Izien #29 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during the game between the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Carolina Panthers. The Bucs won the game in overtime, 26-23. Photo By Kyle Zedaker/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - December 29, 2024 - Wide Receiver Kameron Johnson #19 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during the game between the Carolina Panthers and Tampa Bay Buccaneers. The Bucs won the game, 48-14. Photo By Tori Richman/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - August 23, 2025 - Wide Receiver Tez Johnson #83 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during the preseason game between the Buffalo Bills and Tampa Bay Buccaneers. The Bucs lost the game, 23-19. Photo By Tori Richman/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - December 29, 2024 - Linebacker Deion Jones #45 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during the game between the Carolina Panthers and Tampa Bay Buccaneers. The Bucs won the game, 48-14. Photo By Kyle Zedaker/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - December 29, 2024 - Defensive Lineman Calijah Kancey #94 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during the game between the Carolina Panthers and Tampa Bay Buccaneers. The Bucs won the game, 48-14. Photo By Tori Richman/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
CINCINNATI, OH - August 10, 2024 - Tight End Ko Kieft #41 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during the Preseason game between the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Cincinnati Bengals. The Bucs won the game, 17-14. Photo By Kyle Zedaker/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
CINCINNATI, OH - August 10, 2024 - Guard Elijah Klein #79 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during the Preseason game between the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Cincinnati Bengals. The Bucs won the game, 17-14. Photo By Tori Richman/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - October 27, 2024 - Guard Cody Mauch #69 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during the game between the Atlanta Falcons and Tampa Bay Buccaneers. The Bucs lost the game, 31-26. Photo By Tori Richman/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - January 12, 2025 - Quarterback Baker Mayfield #6 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers before the NFC Wild Card game between the Washington Commanders and Tampa Bay Buccaneers. The Bucs lost the game, 23-20. Photo By Tori Richman/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - December 08, 2024 - Cornerback Zyon McCollum #27 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during the game between the Las Vegas Raiders and Tampa Bay Buccaneers. The Bucs won the game, 28-13. Photo By Tori Richman/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
PITTSBURGH, PA - August 16, 2025 - Kicker Chase McLaughlin #4 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during the preseason game between the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Pittsburgh Steelers. The Bucs won the game, 17-14. Photo By Tori Richman/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - December 08, 2024 - Safety Kaevon Merriweather #26 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during the game between the Las Vegas Raiders and Tampa Bay Buccaneers. The Bucs won the game 28-13. Photo By Doug DeFelice/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
ARLINGTON, TX - December 22, 2024 - Wide Receiver Ryan Miller #81 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during the game between the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Dallas Cowboys. The Bucs lost the game, 26-24. Photo By Tori Richman/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - July 28, 2025 - Cornerback Benjamin Morrison #21 and Wide Receiver Rakim Jarrett #18 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during 2025 Training Camp at AdventHealth Training Center. Photo By Tori Richman/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
KANSAS CITY, MO - November 04, 2024 - Outside Linebacker Anthony Nelson #98 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during the Monday Night Football game between the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Kansas City Chiefs. The Bucs lost the game in overtime, 30-24. Photo By Kyle Zedaker/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - December 08, 2024 - Tight End Cade Otton #88 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during the game between the Las Vegas Raiders and Tampa Bay Buccaneers. The Bucs won the game, 28-13. Photo By Tori Richman/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
PITTSBURGH, PA - August 16, 2025 - Cornerback Jacob Parrish #25 and Wide Receiver Tez Johnson #83 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during the preseason game between the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Pittsburgh Steelers. The Bucs won the game, 17-14. Photo By Tori Richman/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
PITTSBURGH, PA - August 16, 2025 - Outside Linebacker Haason Reddick #5 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during the preseason game between the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Pittsburgh Steelers. The Bucs Won the game, 17-14. Photo By Kyle Zedaker/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - August 23, 2025 - Defensive Lineman Elijah Roberts #95 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during the preseason game between the Buffalo Bills and Tampa Bay Buccaneers. The Bucs lost the game, 23-19. Photo By Tori Richman/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
PITTSBURGH, PA - August 16, 2025 - Wide Receiver Sterling Shepard #17 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during the preseason game between the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Pittsburgh Steelers. The Bucs won the game, 17-14. Photo By Tori Richman/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - January 12, 2025 - Safety Tykee Smith #23 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during the NFC Wild Card game between the Washington Commanders and Tampa Bay Buccaneers. The Bucs lost the game, 23-20. Photo By Will Vragovic/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - September 29, 2024 - Defensive Tackle Vita Vea #50 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during the game between the Philadelphia Eagles and Tampa Bay Buccaneers. The Bucs won the game, 33-16. Photo By Doug DeFelice/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - August 09, 2025 - Running Back Sean Tucker #44 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during the preseason game between the Tennessee Titans and Tampa Bay Buccaneers. The Bucs won the game, 29-7. Photo By Tori Richman/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
PITTSBURGH, PA - August 16, 2025 - Cornerback Kindle Vildor #22 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during the preseason game between the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Pittsburgh Steelers. The Bucs won the game, 17-14. Photo By Tori Richman/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - December 03, 2023 - Outside Linebacker Markees Watts #58 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during the game between the Carolina Panthers and Tampa Bay Buccaneers. The Bucs won the game, 21-18. Photo By Doug DeFelice/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
INGLEWOOD, CA - December 15, 2024 - Running Back Rachaad White #1 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during the game between the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Los Angeles Chargers. The Bucs won the game, 40-17. Photo By Kyle Zedaker/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - August 23, 2025 - Running Back Josh Williams #37 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during the preseason game between the Buffalo Bills and Tampa Bay Buccaneers. The Bucs lost the game, 23-19. Photo By Kyle Zedaker/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
NEW ORLEANS, LA - October 13, 2024 - Safety Antoine Winfield Jr. #31 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers returns a fumble for a touchdown during the game between the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and New Orleans Saints. The Bucs won the game, 51-27. Photo By Doug DeFelice/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - September 22, 2024 - Tackle Tristan Wirfs #78 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during the game between the Denver Broncos and Tampa Bay Buccaneers. The Bucs lost the game, 26-7. Photo By Tori Richman/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - August 23, 2024 - Safety Rashad Wisdom #38 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during the preseason game between the Miami Dolphins and Tampa Bay Buccaneers. The Bucs won the game, 24-14. Photo By Kyle Zedaker/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
DEFENSE
DL: Calijah Kancey
NT: Vita Vea, Greg Gaines
DL: Logan Hall, Elijah Roberts *
OLB: Yaya Diaby, Chris Braswell, Markees Watts
ILB: SirVocea Dennis, John Bullock *
ILB: Lavonte David, Deion Jones
OLB: Haason Reddick, Anthony Nelson
CB: Jamel Dean, Benjamin Morrison *, Kindle Vildor
CB: Zyon McCollum, Jacob Parrish *, Josh Hayes
S: Antoine Winfield Jr., Christian Izien, Rashad Wisdom
S: Tykee Smith, Kaevon Merriweather
In his third season, SirVocea Dennis makes the opening day starting lineup for the first time. Last year, that spot went to K.J. Britt, who is now with the Miami Dolphins, but Dennis turned heads with his play on passing downs over the first four games of the season before needing shoulder surgery.
Tykee Smith is the starting strong safety next to All-Pro Antoine Winfield Jr. after Smith primarily worked in the slot as a rookie. The Buccaneers only list two cornerback spots on their defensive depth chart but rookie Jacob Parrish is the favorite to open in the slot in 2025, which means he will likely be on the field for more than half of the defensive snaps.
Haason Reddick, working opposite Yaya Diaby at the other outside linebacker spot, is the other newcomer to the starting defense in 2025. He was the team's most significant addition in free agency this offseason and the Bucs are hoping he can display the form that got him four straight double-digit sack seasons from 2020-23.
SPECIALISTS
P: Riley Dixon
PK: Chase McLaughlin
KO: Chase McLaughlin
H: Riley Dixon
LS: Evan Deckers
PR: Kameron Johnson, Tez Johnson *, Emeka Egbuka *, Rachaad White
KR: Sean Tucker, Josh Williams, Emeka Egbuka *
KR: Kameron Johnson, Rachaad White, Tez Johnson *
Riley Dixon is the new punter and appeared to be a stabilizing force in the preseason after the team cycled through three players at the position in 2024 and were near the bottom of the league's ranking in that category. However, while in recent years the Bucs have mostly trusted their kickoff duties to their punter, that job will go to kicker Chase McLaughlin to start the 2025 season. With the new kickoff rules, the Bucs may not be trying to force as many touchbacks and don't actually need particularly high hang times because the blockers and cover men can't move until the ball is caught.
Kameron Johnon appears to have won the Buccaneers' punt return job to start the season, though rookie Tez Johnson showed some big-play capability in that job during the preseason, too. If the Bucs stick to the above depth chart, it appears they will primarily rely on running backs to be the two deep men on kickoff returns.
