The Buccaneers open their preseason tonight on the road against the Jets, and even with the starters expected to sit, there’s no shortage of pressure points. This is the kind of game where fringe roster guys can tilt the conversation in a hurry, especially with spots tight and competition everywhere.
For a few players, the opener is less about warmup reps and more about making a statement.
Chris Braswell is one of the clearest names to watch. A second-round pick just two years ago, he has only 2.5 sacks across two seasons and hasn’t matched the expectations that came with his draft status.
Tampa Bay’s top four outside linebackers appear locked in with Yaya Diaby, Rueben Bain Jr., Al-Quadin Muhammad, and David Walker, which leaves Braswell fighting for what would probably be the fifth and final job. His main competition is Anthony Nelson, who currently has the edge.
Braswell should see plenty of action against New York, and he needs to make his presence felt quickly because the clock is ticking on his roster case.
Nelson, though, has his own work to do. He’s been one of the more dependable depth pieces in Tampa Bay, posting at least three sacks in five straight seasons.
He doesn’t bring the same upside as Braswell, but he does bring a steady rotational floor, and that matters in a battle like this. The Buccaneers probably don’t want to cut bait on a second-round pick after only two years, but Nelson can’t afford to let Braswell steal the spotlight.
Tampa Bay is unlikely to carry six outside linebackers - they kept only five on the initial 53-man roster a year ago - so this matchup could go a long way toward deciding who sticks.
Devin Culp is another player with plenty riding on the preseason opener. The tight end group behind Cade Otton is crowded, but not in a way that gives anyone much breathing room.
Culp is fighting for space alongside Payne Durham, Ko Kieft, and rookie Bauer Sharp, and he may be the one most at risk. Durham and Kieft are stronger blockers, while Culp brings the best athletic traits in the room.
The problem is that those traits haven’t turned into production yet. He had just one catch last season, and that leaves him needing a strong showing if he wants to climb out of the pack.
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