Reflecting on the Buccaneers depth chart
By: Jake Rajala
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers mythical quarterback Tom Brady has played in five of the past eight Super Bowl showdowns (and he’s won four of his past five SB match-ups). The Brady bunch don’t have a Gronk, but they still plan on returning to the big dance in the upcoming season. The Bucs recently released their first depth chart- which will allow Bucs fans to know which profiles currently are pegged as starters. It’s also more clear at this point than in April which underrated players will be relied on. With that said, I’m going to untwine five takeaways from the Buccaneers depth chart.
Ke’Shawn Vaughn
The Bucs moved on from veteran RB Ronald Jones this off-season and the question was: who will be the Bucs RB2 in 2022? The Bucs drafted Rachaad White in the third round of the 2022 NFL Draft, but he is pegged as one of the fourth ball-carriers w/ Kenjon Barner at this moment. The second listed RB in line is none other than Ke’Shawn Vaughn, who is entering his third season in the league. Vaughn may have the hot hand early on in the 2022 season until White can fully grasp the system and earn TB12’s trust.
Kyle Rudolph
The Bucs made an underrated signing in TE Kyle Rudolph this off-season. The former Vikings TE will certainly help heal the wound that Gronk left behind. It will be fascinating to see how productive he and the other new FA weapon Julio Jones can be in 2022.
Julio Jones
It isn’t a question that Julio Jones is a future HOF WR. Although, it’s uncertain how much gas he has left in the tank and if he can stay healthy. Jones notched 434 yds in 10 contests game last season and 771 yds in 9 games the season prior. He is likely the fourth most involved WR, but he might turn back the clock and be more explosive than Russell Gage.
Robert Hainsey
The Bucs beloved center Ryan Jensen is unfortunately out of the lineup for at least the new few months. Robert Hainsey is slotted to be the Bucs starting center w/ Jensen on the sidelines. He was selected in the third round of the 2021 draft. He only played 31 snaps in 2021, so it’s crucial that he can get up to speed and only have growing pains in the preseason. He’s ultimately the x-factor on the Bucs offense in my opinion.
Scotty Miller
The Bucs WR Scotty Miller infamously burned Kevin King in the NFC Championship and then fell off a cliff. It’s clearly past time to believe that Miller will breakout for his seven-time Super Bowl champion QB. Miller is slotted behind Russell Gage on the depth chart, but it’s not looking promising for him to be involved in the Bucs crowded WR room. It may even be best for them to trade away the 25-year-old WR. Evan Reier of Heavy. suggests that the Cowboys should pull the trigger for the speed demon.
