With the preseason coming to an end this Saturday when the Bucs travel to Houston to face the Texans, there’s still a few depth spots that need to be assessed before teams have to trim their rosters from 80 to 53.
This is not like any other preseason for the defending Super Bowl Champions. In years past, not every starting spot was already spoken for. This year seems to be slightly different as the Bucs have managed to bring back all 22 starters from their Super Bowl-winning roster, but that hasn’t stopped a few players from making use of their playing time this preseason. Unfortunately, roughly 27 players are fighting for a spot on the final roster. Below is 5 players to keep an eye on during the finale.
Running backs Ke’Shawn Vaughn and CJ Prosise: With Ronald Jones II expected to share carries with Leonard Fournette and incoming veteran Giovanni Bernard, it’s not impossible, but hard to imagine the Bucs carrying 5 backs on the depth chart. For second-year back Ke’Shawn Vaughn, it’s going to come down to, can he prove to the coaching staff that the game has slowed down enough for him? After a shaky rookie season when Vaughn played in only ten games (zero starts) and only mustered 109 yards on 26 attempts and his lone touchdown being one of his five receptions.
Click here to visit the CBD Store for all your CBD needs.
Will Vaughn be able to raise his stock to remain on the team or will he be unseated by sixth-year veteran C.J. Prosise, who signed with the Bucs during the offseason? Both backs seem to be locking eyes on what could be the final chair in the running back room. Prosise, who spent last season with the Texans after a four-year stint with the Seahawks, really hasn’t been one of those “break your ankles” type backs as he never seemed to get his footing since entering the NFL. He was drafted in the 3rd round in 2016.
It’ll be interesting to see how things break down for both backs between their offensive production and special teams work. Right now, it does seem Vaughn could potentially have the edge being the younger back, but as we’ve all witnessed before, anything is possible in the NFL.
LB K.J. Britt: Not much can be said for the rookie from Auburn, but during the first two preseason games, Britt has shown glimpses that could potentially help him lock up a roster spot as depth in the linebacker position behind Lavonte David. Britt could potentially be used primarily on special teams and needs to continue to show his grit if he has any desire to make the final roster.
DE Patrick O’Connor: O’Connor has been showing glimpses of his potential this preseason. In last week’s preseason loss to the Titans, O’Connor was tied for 4th in tackles to go along with being one of two players to record a sack against the Titans. Head Coach Bruce Arians sang his praises in regards to O’Connor, but that doesn’t mean the fifth-year player can afford to take any snaps lightly if he plans on returning to the 53-man roster again this season.
WR Cyril Grayson: Grayson will have to continue to let his speed and production do the talking for him if he plans on making the roster again this season. The 27-year-old, second-year receiver, hasn’t had much to celebrate before last season when he caught his lone pass during the NFC Championship Game vs Green Bay en route to the Bucs second Super Bowl Championship. Grayson, who was second on the team last week in receiving yards and receptions, still has tons of work to do if he plans to remain in the Bucs high-powered, future Hall of Fame receivers room that’s already filled with Mike Evans, Chris Godwin, Antonio Brown, Scotty Miller, Tyler Johnson, Jaelon Darden, and Jayden Mickens. My guess is a possible practice squad role but another big game could easily pursue the coaching staff that he is deserving of a spot.
Which players are you keeping an eye on during the finale? Let us know in the comments on social media.
