/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/73557608/2163264904.0.jpg?w=1200&resize=1200,0&ssl=1 "Proposed move to center significantly lowers Jonah Jackson’s value")
Photo by Brandon Sloter/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images When the Los Angeles Rams made an unexpected left turn to sign a pricey guard in free agency, the move was met with almost universal praise by fans who had long asked for upgrades on the interior of the offensive line. Combined with re-signing Kevin Dotson, the Rams made a concerted effort and major commitment to their two guard positions, paying them the sixth-highest and eighth-highest guard salaries in the NFL. But Sean McVay’s recent announcement that L.A. is leaning towards moving Jackson to center puts Jackson’s contract in serious danger of going from an overpay to a massive overpay. That’s the basis of how the NFL salary cap system works: You are paid based on the average salaries at the position you’re being paid to play. If the league had viewed Jackson as a center in March, then a $17 million per year contract is not what he would have been paid six months ago. Jonah Jackson paid as a guard The Rams signed Jonah Jackson to a three-year, $51 million contract and $25.5 million fully guaranteed, up to $34 million total guaranteed. In other terms, Jackson’s contract could be construed as a two-year deal that will pay Jackson $34 million: $17 million in salary and a $17 million signing bonus. The league hasn’t really shown much, if any favoritism to players depending on if they play left guard or right guard: On the left side, Landon Dickerson ($21) and Quenton Nelson ($20) make the most, while on the right side it’s Chris Lindstrom ($20.5) and Robert Hunt ($20). And other than Nelson probably, everyone basically agrees that these players are already overpaid. Hunt did the best job of taking advantage of a dearth of available guards in free agency, convincing the Panthers to pay him a five-year, $100 million deal with $44 million fully guaranteed because Carolina has not been a desirable relocation destination. Overall, Jonah Jackson was cited all offseason as L.A.’s new left guard and that would make him tied with Elgton Jenkins as the third-highest paid left guard by annual salary, with the sixth-best full guarantee, and the fourth-best total guarantee. There are four more players on the right side who make more per year than Jackson, and three who got a better guarantee than Jackson. At $17 million per season, the 27-year-old Jackson is an acceptable extravagance, even though he has also missed nine games with injury (three due to a finger injury though) in the past two seasons. But at center, Jonah Jackson would have completely destroyed the market…if Creed Humphrey hadn’t already done that himself this month. Jonah Jackson paid as center The top-two tiers at centers are: Creed Humphrey and then a group of four players lumped close together between $12-$13.5 million per season. If it were not for Humphrey’s extension, that would be Jackson as the NFL’s lone wolf center making over $14 million per season. For Jackson to be moved to center, his contract now becomes the second-highest center contract in the NFL and $3.5 million more per season than third place Frank Ragnow. Ragnow’s deal is for sure outdated (he signed a four-year, $54 million extension in 2021) and he will challenge Humphrey to become the highest-paid center in history, but right now he’s trailing Jonah Jackson by a lot: Jackson makes 26% more per season and he got almost as much money guaranteed despite signing a contract that is one year shorter than Ragnow’s. In case you were unaware, either Ragnow or Humphrey is considered to be the best center in the NFL now that Jason Kelce is retired. Ragnow has made the Pro Bowl in three of the last four years (was injured in 2021) and Jackson got a first hand look at his value as his teammate with the Lions. Humphrey has made the Pro Bowl in the last two years, and he finished third in Offensive Rookie of the Year voting in 2021 despite playing center. The battle to be first team All-Pro with Kelce out of the way is expected to come down to Humphrey and Ragnow. And then there’s Jackson—who makes almost as much as Humphrey and a lot more than Ragnow—has not made the Pro Bowl as a center. Because Jackson hasn’t made a game as a center. He doesn’t play center. Other than 24 snaps in 2021 when Ragnow was hurt, he has not been an NFL center. Except for the fact that if McVay goes through with this move, Jackson will be the second-highest paid center in NFL history. It’s not that the Rams shouldn’t move Jonah Jackson to center because it will dramatically decrease his value. It’s that if the Rams knew that Steve Avila could not be their starting center, then they probably would have signed someone else and he would have been much less expensive. The road not traveled Paying one guard $17 million and another guard $16 million per season is part of the business and it showed that L.A. desperately wanted to have a top-tier interior offensive line for Kyren Williams and Matthew Stafford. And they still very well might have that because Avila-Jackson-Dotson should be a quality trio regardless of where they stand. However, you still aren’t allowed to call it “smart business” to pay a player a market-setting contract for a position when he has never played that position in the NFL before. The top center in free agency this year, Lloyd Cushenberry, signed a four-year, $50 million contract to go from the Broncos to the Titans. If the Rams wanted to sign a center, they could have paid Cushenberry the exact same amount that they paid Jackson, but would have had him for four years instead of three…and Cushenberry is a center. Too cheap for Cushenberry? The Commanders signed Tyler Biadasz to a three-year, $30 million contract. The Rams would be paying Biadasz a $4.4 million cap hit this year (Jackson’s 2024
Proposed move to center significantly lowers Jonah Jackson’s value
Baltimore Ravens’ roster comparison: 2023 vs. 2024 defense
Baltimore Ravens’ roster comparison: 2023 vs. 2024 defense glenn erby The Baltimore Ravens unveiled their 53-man roster for the 2024 NFL regular season. Baltimore has 25 players on offense, 25 on defense, and three specialists to round out a juggernaut of a roster on both sides of the football. GM Eric DeCosta made some tough decisions on defense, letting Patrick Queen walk in free agency while ushering in the Trenton Simpson era. In the secondary, Baltimore added Nate Wiggins, Adisa Isaac, and T.J. Tampa to a defense full of dynamic talent. With the team preparing for the NFL opening kickoff matchup against the Chiefs, we’re comparing the Ravens’ 2023 roster to the updated version in 2024. DL Aug 17, 2024; Baltimore, Maryland, USA; Baltimore Ravens defensive tackle Travis Jones (98) tackles DAtlanta Falcons running back Carlos Washington Jr. (28) behind the line of scrimmage during the first half at M&T Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports 2023: Michael Pierce, Justin Madubuike, Broderick Washington, Travis Jones 2024: Michael Pierce, Justin Madubuike, Broderick Washington, Travis Jones, Brent Urban Baltimore is running it back with one of the top defensive line units in the NFL. Justin Madubuike has developed into one of the top defensive tackles in the NFL. Edge Rusher Nov 5, 2023; Baltimore, Maryland, USA; Baltimore Ravens linebacker Odafe Oweh (99) celebrates after making a defensive play against the Seattle Seahawks during the first half at M&T Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jessica Rapfogel-USA TODAY Sports 2023: Odafe Oweh, David Ojabo, Jadeveon Clowney, Tavius Robinson, Malik Hamm 2024: David Ojabo, Odafe Oweh, Kyle Van Noy, Adisa Isaac, Tavius Robinson Jadeveon Clowney and his 9+ sacks departed to Carolina. Baltimore drafted former Penn State pass rusher Adisa Isaac in the third round, and Tavius Robinson is looking to take the next step. LB GREEN BAY, WISCONSIN – AUGUST 24: Samori Toure #83 of the Green Bay Packers makes a catch against Trenton Simpson #23 of the Baltimore Ravens in the first half during a preseason game at Lambeau Field on August 24, 2024 in Green Bay, Wisconsin. (Photo by Patrick McDermott/Getty Images) 2023: Roquan Smith, Patrick Queen, Malik Harrison, Trenton Simpson, Del’Shawn Phillips 2024: Roquan Smith, Trenton Simpson, Malik Harrison, Chris Board Patrick Queen took his talents to Pittsburgh, and Trenton Simpson will step into the weak-side linebacker role. Malik Harrison returns, while Chris Board was re-signed after one season with New England. CB GREEN BAY, WISCONSIN – AUGUST 24: Nate Wiggins #2 of the Baltimore Ravens reacts to a play during a preseason game against the Green Bay Packers at Lambeau Field on August 24, 2024 in Green Bay, Wisconsin. The Packers defeated the Ravens 30-7. (Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images) 2023: Marlon Humphrey, Rock Ya-Sin, Ronald Darby, Brandon Stephens, Jalyn Armour-Davis, Arthur Maulet, Damarion “Pepe” Williams 2024: Nate Wiggins, Jalyn Armour-Davis, Brandon Stephens, T.J. Tampa, Marlon Humphrey Wiggins and T.J. Tampa were added via the draft, and they’ll add speed and athleticism to an already deep group. Safety LONDON, ENGLAND – OCTOBER 15: Kyle Hamilton of Baltimore Ravens looks on during the NFL match between Baltimore Ravens and Tennessee Titans at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on October 15, 2023 in London, England. (Photo by Vincent Mignott/DeFodi Images via Getty Images) 2023: Marcus Williams, Kyle Hamilton, Geno Stone, Ar’Darius Washington 2024: Marcus Williams, Kyle Hamilton, Ar’Darius Washington, Beau Brade, Eddie Jackson, Sanoussi Kane Baltimore kept six safeties on the roster, including two rookies. Eddie Jackson was a late summer addition that allows Kyle Hamilton to be even more dynamic.
Falcons Have Already Made Preseason Decision On Kirk Cousins
The Atlanta Falcons medically cleared Kirk Cousins for full practice, but the quarterback will have to wait for the regular season to get in-game action with his new team. Falcons head coach Raheem Morris said Cousins is “ready to go” without limitations to start training camp. However, Cousins … FLOWERY BRANCH, GEORGIA – MAY 14: Quarterback Kirk Cousins #18 of the Atlanta Falcons passes the ball during OTA offseason workouts at the Atlanta Falcons training facility on May 14, 2024 in Flowery Branch, Georgia. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images) Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images The Atlanta Falcons medically cleared Kirk Cousins for full practice, but the quarterback will have to wait for the regular season to get in-game action with his new team. Falcons head coach Raheem Morris said Cousins is “ready to go” without limitations to start training camp. However, Cousins told reporters Thursday that the team doesn’t plan on giving him any preseason reps. “I want to play, but I think that ask fell on deaf ears,” Cousins said. Cousins hoped he could convince Morris otherwise, but the coach told him it’s “just not how we want to do things.” “I think seeing live bullets and playing is helpful, but I also understand the logic behind not doing it,” Cousins continued. “Everything we do is calculated, and that will be as well.” Cousins hasn’t played since he tore his Achilles on Oct. 29. After six seasons with the Minnesota Vikings, he signed a four-year, $180,000 contract with Atlanta. The Falcons won’t want to take any chances with their new starting quarterback, who turns 36 next month. The preseason could also give them an opportunity to showcase first-round pick Michael Penix Jr., who, if all goes according to plan, won’t take over as the team’s starter anytime soon. NFL teams are increasingly reticent to play healthy starters in the preseason, so it’s hardly surprising that the Falcons don’t plan on Cousins competing next month. Don’t expect him to return for Atlanta’s exhibition opener against the Miami Dolphins on Aug. 9. Related: Kirk Cousins Shares His Honest Thoughts On Michael Penix Jr
Ex-Jets Progress Report: Part I – Offense
Photo by Kevin Sabitus/Getty Images Checking in on the status of ex-Jets offensive players around the NFL Now that preseason is over, it’s time to update you on former Jets players and whether they made the roster or the practice squad for their 2024 team. We’ll look at offensive players today and defensive players in a day or two. Then we’ll be moving on to look at special teamers. As ever, this list is intended to be exhaustive, but if we missed anyone, let us know in the comments. New York Giants Guard Greg Van Roten was a late addition, but he made the New York Giants roster. He is currently listed as second-string behind Aaron Stinnie, but it wouldn’t be a surprise to see him start games for New York this year. Tight end Lawrence Cager looked to be in line for a roster spot and a place in the main rotation, but then he got hurt in preseason and ended up on the practice squad. Also: Offensive lineman Yodny Cajuste is on injured reserve. Washington Commanders Wide receiver Jamison Crowder was re-signed after registering 16 catches in the 2023 season and made the final roster. Dallas Cowboys Offensive lineman Chuma Edoga was re-signed after having started six games for Dallas last season. He’ll start off the season on injured reserve but has been designated for return. Dallas also signed running back Dalvin Cook a few days ago. Also: Offensive lineman Dakoda Shepley is on the practice squad, but wide receiver Deontay Burnett was released. Philadelphia Eagles While the starting lineup hasn’t been announced yet and he’s listed as on the second unit according to the depth chart on the team’s official website, many believe Mekhi Becton has earned the starting right guard role over Tyler Steen after moving inside with his new team. The Eagles also retained tight end EJ Jenkins on their practice squad. Also: The Eagles released tight ends CJ Uzomah and Kevin Foelsch and offensive lineman Jason Poe. Green Bay Packers Green Bay didn’t have any former Jets on offense this offseason but they just signed running back La’Mical Perine to their practice squad. Minnesota Vikings Quarterback Sam Darnold is going to be the starter this year after rookie JJ McCarthy was ruled out for the season. He’ll be backed up by another ex-Jet, Brett Rypien, who they signed this week. Offensive lineman Dan Feeney also made Minnesota’s roster, but he will come off the bench in 2024. Also: The Vikings released tight end Neal Johnson and did not retain him on the practice squad. Chicago Bears In preseason, Rypien completed 24 of 34 passes for 335 yards and three touchdowns with no interceptions for the Bears. However, he did not make the final roster and is now with Minnesota as noted above. The Bears also signed offensive lineman Chris Glaser to their practice squad. Detroit Lions Wide receiver Kalif Raymond is back with the Lions despite his slight drop in production last season as he had 35 catches. Running back Zonovan Knight averaged just 3.1 yards per carry in preseason and was not retained. Tampa Bay Buccaneers Quarterback John Wolford went 19 for 32 for 183 yards in preseason, with no touchdowns. He was not retained. Atlanta Falcons Atlanta are another team that didn’t have any offensive players who have been with the Jets on their roster this offseason. New Orleans Saints Running back James Robinson had 91 yards on 19 touches in preseason, but did fumble once and wasn’t retained. Offensive lineman Jesse Davis was also released. The Saints did sign offensive tackle Austin Deculus to their practice squad, though. Carolina Panthers The Panthers are another team that went through the offseason without any offensive players who were former Jets on their roster. San Francisco 49ers The 49ers brought wide receiver Robbie Chosen into camp, but he didn’t record a catch in preseason and wasn’t retained. He ended up with Miami. Los Angeles Rams The Rams had initially kept offensive lineman Conor McDermott on their active roster after final cuts but then placed him on injured reserve the next day. He should be eligible to return. Seattle Seahawks Quarterback Geno Smith returns to the Seahawks looking for a third consecutive pro bowl appearance. Seattle also has two former Jets in their offensive line room; tackle George Fant and guard Laken Tomlinson. Both are currently listed as starters on the team’s unofficial depth chart. Also: Seattle released fullback Nick Bellore earlier on in the offseason. Arizona Cardinals Offensive linemen Kelvin Beachum and Trystan Colon both made the Cardinals roster, although neither is going to be a starter. Wide receiver Greg Dortch also made the team again after catching 24 passes last season, mostly in the second half of the year. Running back Michael Carter had a good preseason with 65 yards and a touchdown on 10 touches, but was surprisingly released, although he did re-sign to the practice squad. Also: Wide receiver Jeff Smith was released. Buffalo Bills Running back Ty Johnson was re-signed and made the Bills’ final roster despite only carrying once for six yards in preseason. Also: Quarterback Mike White, having been cut by Miami, was signed to the practice squad. Miami Dolphins Running back Raheem Mostert returns to Miami after having made his first pro bowl last season. Wide receiver Braxton Berrios also made the team despite not catching a pass in preseason. Also: Miami released White as noted above and added Chosen and quarterback Tim Boyle to their practice squad. New England Patriots Offensive Lineman Calvin Anderson looked set to make the final roster but was added to injured reserve this week and then released with an injury settlement on Friday. Also: New England released McDermott before he ended up with the Rams, and wide receiver TJ Luther. Pittsburgh Steelers Offensive lineman Nate Herbig looked set to win the Steelers starting center role but ended up on injured reserve. Pittsburgh released several other ex-Jets; Perine, wide receiver Denzel
Dan Hurley named Ruler of the Jungle for Bengals vs. Patriots
Joseph Rondone/The Republic / USA TODAY NETWORK Bengals officially announced the news as the team is set to host the Patriots The Cincinnati Bengals are set to kick off the 2024 NFL season in just one week. The team is set to host the New England Patriots at Paycor Stadium next Sunday in front of a packed crowd, and for the first time, they will wear ‘all orange’ jerseys. One of the most popular pregame routines for fans will continue this season and the week one ‘Ruler of the Jungle’ has officially been announced. The Bengals took to social media to inform fans that UCONN basketball coach Dan Hurley would lead the Who Dey Chant against the Patriots next week. Introducing week 1 Ruler of The Jungle… 2x NCAA National Champion Coach @dhurley15 ️: https://t.co/FlepGroGo0#RuleTheJungle | #OpenInOrange pic.twitter.com/Lv1kyieZ6W — Cincinnati Bengals (@Bengals) September 1, 2024 Hurley has been dominant at the college basketball level, leading the Huskies to back-to-back National Championships. Hurley has made it clear he is also a big-time Bengals fan and is now getting the opportunity to express his fandom in front of Who Dey Nation. Next weekend, we will be rocking in Cincinnati, and Hurley will be there to pump up a crowd ready for football season!
Injury Update: Packers RB MarShawn Lloyd returns to practice
Mark Hoffman/Milwaukee Journal Sentinel / USA TODAY NETWORK One of Green Bay’s two backup running back options returned to the field for the first time in nearly a month. When the Green Bay Packers returned to practice on Sunday, a fresh face joined them on Nitschke Field: rookie running back MarShawn Lloyd. Lloyd has been missing from action since he went down with a hamstring injury in the preseason opener, but he is back just before Week 1 of the regular season — an injury timeline that matches up with the typical projection for a Grade 1 hamstring strain. Running back Marshawn Lloyd is practicing today. #Packers pic.twitter.com/fKMqnfjhkO — John Miller (@JohnMillerNBC26) September 1, 2024 The Packers very well might need him in Brazil versus the Philadelphia Eagles, too. Since Lloyd’s injury, Green Bay placed number two running back AJ Dillon on season-ending injured reserve for a neck injury. This leaves just Lloyd and Emanuel Wilson to back up starting running back Josh Jacobs on the 53-man roster. According to Packers.com’s Wes Hodkiewicz, every member of the active roster was healthy enough to suit up for Sunday’s practice. There will be no injury report today, due to the odd week that comes with the Packers playing on a Friday night in Brazil, but the team will release injury reports for both Monday and Tuesday practices. The club will fly from Wisconsin to Brazil on Wednesday, giving them a day of rest before they kick off against the Eagles.
Have the Colts finally found their long sought after defensive end in Laiatu Latu?
Photo by Ian Johnson/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images The rookie is drawing incredbile praise and being compared to NFL top tier talent. Tarell Basham Tyquan Lewis Kwity Paye Dayo Odeyingbo Those are a few of the names that Chris Ballard has drafted to fill the hole that pass rushing greats like Dwight Freeney and Robert Mathis left. While players like Paye and Obdeyingbo still have time, they haven’t jumped off the page like rookie Laiatu Latu has during his short stint with the Indianapolis Colts. Coaches, teammates, fans, and analysts alike are all singing his praises. The below post from Stampede Blue’s own, Jay Robins, is packed with pure excitement about the team’s first overall pick in April’s draft. Freeney compares Latu to the Bosa brothers in the below clip, but it isn’t just talk. Check out the chart Jay provides. What stands out? Well, there is a massive clump of players regarding their pass rush win rates and then there are three names that stand alone: the Bosa brothers and Latu. DeForest Buckner, best Colts DT in Indianapolis era & former teammate to Nick: “Latu has very similar vibes to Nick Bosa” Dwight Freeney: “Laiatu Latu’s game reminds me of the Bosa brothers” & his college production certainly backs up these comps. The sky is the limit w/ Latu https://t.co/zCEU7jhYkH pic.twitter.com/ERUj5qi96G — Jay Robins mark (@RobinsLucas) August 30, 2024 The Bosa brothers are the gold standard on the defensive side of the ball. Between them and T.J. Watt, who is more of a force to be reckoned with? Although it is a collegiate stat, there is no better company for Latu to be in currently. It isn’t just all projection, however, as some of that skill was on display during the team’s matchup against the Bengals. Baldy is loving what he is seeing. .@Colts @laiatu_latu first play last night he hit the left tackle with his “cross chop” for a sack. But he is far advanced than just one move. Je is going to be a force!! #BaldysBreakdowns pic.twitter.com/psZpKDev6i — Brian Baldinger (@BaldyNFL) August 23, 2024 Granted, there is a long way to go before Laiatu Latu is adorning a golden jacket at Canton, but the early reports are encouraging. Having a pass rusher that can wreck an offensive line is one of the most coveted things in the NFL. Protections have to slide. Tight ends have to stay in to chip or full on block. Running backs are reduced from getting out in space. The quarterback’s time to deliver the ball is reduced. Those are all incredible advantages for the defense. Latu just may be the man Ballard has been looking for all this time. Once again, we have a long way to go, but I can’t wait to see Latu suit up for the first time next Sunday and go to work.
Buccaneers Predictions: Bucs record and NFC South division standings
Photo by Kara Durrette/Getty Images Bucs Nation chimes in on how Tampa Bay will look with their record and in division standings. We are a week away from the 2024 NFL regular season kicking off and predictions for the season are trickling in across the league. For us here at Bucs Nation and throughout the Buccaneers fan base, there is a sense of optimism for this upcoming season and why not? There are several factors that are playing into positivity. The return of quarterback Baker Mayfield, the ability to retain big names like wide receiver Mike Evans, safety Antoine Winfield, Jr., and of course, left tackle Tristan Wirfs. But with optimism there has to be a sense of being “cautiously” optimistic as well. There are still some questions with depth throughout the defense and new offensive coordinator Liam Coen has installed a system that hasn’t been tested yet. Still, the overall feeling in and out of the Buccaneers organization is that of positivity. Same can be said for some of the fan bases throughout the NFC South. Former Bucs offensive coordinator Dave Canales has revived Carolina with some freshness, in Atlanta there is lots of hype behind head coach Raheem Morris and quarterback Kirk Cousins, and in New Orleans — well, they’re just the Saints I guess (dodges beignets being thrown his way before picking them up and eating them). With all that being said, the Bucs Nation staff gives you predictions for the Bucs record as well as predict the standings for the NFC South for the 2024 season below. Bucs Record Gil Arcia – 11-6 James Yarcho – 10-7 Mike Kiwak – 10-7 Will Walsh – 9-8 Evan Wanish – 8-9 NFC South Standings Gil Bucs Falcons Panthers Saints James Bucs Falcons Saints Panthers Will Falcons Bucs Saints Panthers Mike Bucs Falcons Saints Panthers Evan Falcons Bucs Saints Panthers
Buccaneers officially announce roster cuts
Photo by Cliff Welch/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images Todd Bowles likes what he has after finalizing the roster. Like every team in the NFL, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers had to trim their roster down to 53 players. Tuesday was the day organizations across the league made their roster moves official as they submitted the list of names that were cut, while a select few get the opportunity to return to the team. The process is never easy for the front office, coaches, and especially not for the players. But it is a business as they say and the group of players the Buccaneers elected to make a part of the 53-man roster is a special group as head coach Todd Bowles talked about the players that made it to the regular season roster. “Well, they work hard, and they’ve got good chemistry – that’s the biggest thing you can see right now,” Bowles said. “You’ve got to wait until they play to see them play. Obviously, we want to play mistake-free football but coming together as a group as early as they did – that’s positive.” It may sound like typical coach talk, however, the players on the roster ahead of their 2024 campaign all have special reasoning throughout the roster why they were chosen. That doesn’t mean that the decisions were so easy to make. Bowles talked about filtering through the difficult roster decisions. “It was really the cross positions where you’re weighing the outside [linebacker] against the sixth [wide] receiver and that type of stuff, but we felt that it’s hard to get pass rushers in this league and hopefully we can get [the wide receivers] through to the practice squad and bring them up as needed.” Below is the official list on the Bucs moves to get to the 53-man roster limit. Waived: DB Marcus Banks DL C.J. Brewer TE Sal Cannella P Nolan Cooney DL Judge Culpepper OL Xavier Delgado DL Mike Greene LB Antonio Grier Jr. OLB Daniel Grzesiak OL Luke Haggard DB Andrew Hayes DB Keenan Isaac RB Ramon Jefferson WR Cephus Johnson III OL Ryan Johnson OL Avery Jones WR Latreal Jones LB Vi Jones WR Tanner Knue DL Brandon Matterson DB Chris McDonald Jr. OL Lorenz Metz WR Ryan Miller OLB Jay Person TE Tanner Taula WR Raleigh Webb RB DJ Williams DB Rashad Wisdom Waived (Injured): LB Kalen DeLoach OLB Shaun Peterson Jr. DL Lwal Uguak Terminated Contracts Of: WR Sterling Shepard WR Cody Thompson LS Zach Triner TE David Wells QB John Wolford Placed on Injured Reserve: RB Chase Edmonds Placed on Injured Reserve/Designated for Return: WR Rakim Jarrett
Tampa Bay Buccaneers’ 53-man roster takes shape
Nathan Ray Seebeck-USA TODAY Sports The Bucs have made the necessary cuts to get down to their initial 53-man roster Well ahead of the Tuesday deadline, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers have their initial 53-man roster set according to Greg Auman of FOX Sports. It came with a few surprises and some players beginning the year on injured reserve. Here’s the roster as it now stands; So here’s the Bucs’ 53-man roster. First, offense (23): QB (2): Baker Mayfield, Kyle TraskRB (3): Rachaad White, Bucky Irving, Sean TuckerWR (5): Mike Evans, Chris Godwin, Jalen McMillan, Trey Palmer, Kam JohnsonTE (4): Cade Otton, Payne Durham, Ko Kieft, Devin CulpOL (9):… — Greg Auman (@gregauman) August 27, 2024 Bucs’ 53-man roster, defense (27): DL (6): Vita Vea, Calijah Kancey, Logan Hall, Greg Gaines, Will Gholston, Earnest BrownOLB (6): Yaya Diaby, Joe Tryon-Shoyinka, Chris Braswell, Anthony Nelson, Markees Watts, Jose RamirezILB (4): Lavonte David, K.J. Britt, SirVocea Dennis,… — Greg Auman (@gregauman) August 27, 2024 One of the first things that jumps out is that the Bucs are only keeping five receivers, opting not to give Cody Thompson a roster spot after he led the NFL in receptions this preseason. He was very impressive in his opportunity, but will likely be back on the practice squad. Another practice squad contender is receiver Sterling Shepard, who was signed this off-season and reunited with Oklahoma teammate Baker Mayfield. However, he dealt with injury through much of camp and the preseason so he was released Monday afternoon. The Bucs are also keeping eleven defensive backs, a sign that many will contribute on special teams in addition to providing depth in a scheme that uses a lot of versatile corners and safeties. Undrafted rookie Tyrek Funderburk is among those to make the team and is hoping to be as impactful as undrafted rookie Christian Izien was last season.
