Buccaneers Depth Chart
Buccaneers Depth Chart
The initial Tampa Bay Buccaneers depth chart was released Tuesday ahead of their first preseason game against the New York Jets this Friday.
While there were plenty of givens that were reaffirmed with the revealing of the depth chart, there are still some storylines and revelations to dig into with this initial depth chart being released.
The Bucs have released their first unofficial depth chart in advance of their first preseason game against the Jets this week. I’ll have some thoughts later… pic.twitter.com/vdOUV8blaS
— JennaLaineESPN (@JennaLaineESPN) August 11, 2026
Buccaneers Depth Chart Reveals Key Storylines Ahead of Preseason Opener
Let’s go through the givens.
For the fourth straight season, Tampa Bay will be led by quarterback Baker Mayfield. He has played in all 51 possible games in his first three seasons as a starter in Tampa Bay.
Running back Bucky Irving is listed as the starter. He missed seven games last season after having a breakout rookie campaign in 2024. Backup running back Kenneth Gainwell will get plenty of action this year when Irving is off the field and alongside him on some plays.
Tampa Bay’s starting wide receiver trio consists of Emeka Egbuka, Chris Godwin Jr. and Jalen McMillan. Those guys have all seen significant playing time over the course of the past two seasons and project to be a strong group this season.
The starting offensive and defensive lines didn’t have any surprise starters on the initial Buccaneers depth chart. Both project to be formidable groups if healthy and if Vita Vea isn’t traded.
Tampa Bay’s starting safety duo will be the same as last season with Antoine Winfield Jr. and Tykee Smith.
Now let’s get to the intriguing storylines.
One Rookie Linebacker Gets the Starting Nod in Buccaneers Depth Chart, One Doesn’t
The initial Buccaneers depth chart revealed that rookie outside linebacker Reuben Bain Jr. is listed as a starter. The 15th overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft will be the first rookie edge rusher to start Week 1 in Todd Bowles’ tenure in Tampa Bay.
Bain Jr. was the ACC Defensive Player of the Year last season. He had 14 sacks in 16 total games last season.
Tampa Bay struggled to get to the quarterback last season, ranking 19th in the NFL in quarterback sacks despite ranking third in blitz percentage.
Bain Jr.’s starting nod is notable because it’s over free-agent acquisition Al-Quadin Muhammed, who had 11 sacks last season with the Lions.
Another notable storyline in the outside linebacker room is Anthony Nelson being listed higher on the Buccaneers depth chart than David Walker. Nelson had three sacks, three tackles for loss and a Week 8 pick-six that helped earn him NFC Player of the Week last season. Walker, the 2025 fourth-round pick, missed all of last season with a torn ACL but has been turning heads in training camp.
There was also news with the inside linebacker room, with Sirvocea Dennis being listed as the starting linebacker over rookie Josaiah Trotter.
Dennis started 16 games last season and racked up 101 tackles, three sacks and five pass breakups. However, Dennis struggled in pass coverage, with Pro Football Focus ranking him 84th out of 88 qualified linebackers in pass coverage grade. Dennis’ struggles in coverage led to the Bucs allowing the most receiving yards to opposing teams’ running backs in the NFL.
Trotter was a first-team All-SEC member last season at Missouri. He has been one of the most impactful players on the Bucs’ defense at training camp. On Tuesday, he picked off Jets quarterback Geno Smith in the scrimmage at the Bucs’ joint practice with New York.
It will be curious to see if the preseason leads to any movement on the depth chart in the Bucs’ linebacker room.
Jacob Parrish Gets the First-Team Nod in Thin Secondary on Buccaneers Depth Chart
Jacob Parrish was listed as one of Tampa Bay’s starting cornerbacks on Tuesday’s depth chart.
Parrish appeared in all 17 games with the Bucs last season, primarily playing the nickel position. He also made five starts last season and spent limited time playing outside cornerback due to injuries.
It’s not a big surprise that Parrish is currently listed as the starter because his main competition for the starting spot, Benjamin Morrison, hasn’t practiced at camp yet due to a hamstring injury. The 2025 second-round pick has been plagued by injuries in back-to-back training camps.
The Bucs’ secondary depth is one of the team’s biggest questions heading into 2026.
Tampa Bay’s reserve cornerbacks consist of Morrison, rookie Keonte Scott, Josh Hayes and Damarion Williams.
Scott is slated to play the nickel position for the Bucs this season. Hayes primarily played special teams last season, but in 2024, when he was pressed into action, he allowed opponents to have a 124.5 passer rating when targeting him. Williams hasn’t seen action in an NFL game since the 2023 season.
Tampa Bay general manager Jason Licht has recognized the lack of depth and has signed cornerback Roman Parodie and safety Xavier Williams this week. Parodie played with the Houston Gamblers in the UFL last season, while Xavier Williams was an undrafted free agent out of Cincinnati.
Health will be of the utmost importance for Tampa Bay’s starters in the secondary. It will be interesting to see if Licht and the Bucs’ front office make any more moves before the season starts.
Tampa Bay Rookie Receiver Finds Himself in the Mix on Depth Chart
Rookie receiver Ted Hurst was listed as a second-stringer on the Buccaneers depth chart.
Hurst has had multiple highlight plays that have either been talked about or posted on social media this week.
Ted Hurst III is the real deal https://t.co/CU3GBOyPHr pic.twitter.com/BtECy6sKmK
— Tampa Bay Buccaneers (@Buccaneers) August 10, 2026
His 6-foot-4, 206-pound frame makes him the Bucs’ tallest receiver. Hurst will likely be leaned on as a red-zone threat for Tampa Bay. If Hurst can be a true jump-ball threat for the Bucs, he could change the upside of Tampa Bay’s offense in 2026.
Hurst was listed over third-year wide receiver Kameron Johnson. Last season, Johnson saw time in 17 games but had minimal impact as a receiver with just four catches for 64 yards and a touchdown.
More NFL News
Jets & Buccaneers Joint Practice Results in Multiple Fights
Why the Panthers Should Sign Bryce Young to a Long Term Deal
2026 NFC South Standings: How Buccaneers Will Stack Up
Main Photo Courtesy of Nathan Ray Seebeck – Imagn Images