Analyzing the Tampa Bay Buccaneers’ First Depth Chart

Jul 28, 2014; Tampa, FL, USA; Tampa Bay Buccaneers outside linebacker

(54) defends during training camp at One Buc Place. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports

Yesterday, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers released their first depth chart of the 2014 season.

Head coach Lovie Smith has already said not to read into it too much but nonetheless, we do in fact have a depth chart to analyze.

Smith did add that he believes no rookie can be atop the depth chart at their position. You can view the depth chart by clicking here.

Here’s a breakdown of how things look on offense, defense and special teams.

Offense

Josh McCown at quarterback, Doug Martin at running back and Vincent Jackson at wide receiver were expected, as was Anthony Collins at left tackle, Evan Dietrich-Smith at center and Demar Dotson at right tackle.

The Bucs have listed Jamon Meredith at right guard and Oniel Cousins at left guard. Meredith was always going to take one of the guard spots, it was just a case of which one, but it was always favored to be the right side. Cousins being at left guard is basically who the next best guard is the Bucs have. Guard still remains the Bucs’ biggest question mark heading into the season.

The tight end position was always going to be interesting because the Bucs have three really good options in Tim Wright, Brandon Myers and rookie Austin Seferian-Jenkins. They also have Luke Stocker. Myers gets the nod right now which isn’t surprising because of his production in recent years and after the emergence of Wright last season it’s no surprise to see him second. However, it is surprising to see Stocker ahead of ASJ but that’ll change sooner rather than later.

At wideout, Chris Owusu is the Bucs’ number two receiver while Louis Murphy and Mike Evans are the back-ups. While Evans will no doubt line up alongside Jackson in week 1, it does appear that Owusu is in the lead for the slot receiver position, and based on his successful training camp, it’s deserved. Tommy Streeter, who caught the eye in training camp, is with the third group of receivers.

Finally, the back-up running back right now is Bobby Rainey. Based on last season it’s deserved. Rookie Charles Sims sits third and with a good training camp so far this year he’s in a good spot to make the roster. The biggest drop on offense though is Mike James who sits fourth while Jeff Demps is fifth. The Bucs have a ton of depth at running back so someone was always going to be snubbed.

Defense

Quite frankly, there are no surprises at all with how the Bucs are currently lining up on defense. It could be argued that Mike Jenkins being ahead of Johnthan Banks is a bit of a shock but it’s nothing groundbreaking.

Da’Quan Bowers continues his positional switch to defensive tackle and is currently the back-up to Gerald McCoy. Also, Rashaan Melvin is listed as the back-up to Alterraun Verner, ahead of Danny Gorrer.

Danny Lansanah‘s strong training camp has also paid off as he is listed behind star linebacker Lavonte David.

Special Teams

Nothing suprising here as Michael Koenan is the punter and kicker Connor Barth, who missed all of last season, is the kicker.

Eric Page is currently slated to be the team’s kick and punt returner while Jeff Demps is second on the depth chart at kick returning and Rainey is behind Page for punt’s, none of which is surprising.

It’s hard to read into a depth chart considering the Bucs haven’t even played a preseason game yet but it at least gives us a glimpse of how the coaches are viewing the players on the roster.