As offseason workouts progress and the 2024 season wears on, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and other NFL teams are making difficult roster decisions. Each year, the NFL sets three key deadlines for teams to reduce their rosters to specific numbers.
This season, the first deadline is Tuesday, August 17, by which teams must cut their rosters down to 85 players. Two weeks later, on August 24, teams must reduce their rosters to 80 players, with the final cut to the 53-man roster occurring on August 31.
So far, Tampa Bay has made only one roster cut, releasing wide receiver and kick returner Deven Thompkins before allegations of domestic abuse surfaced in June. As the roster limit deadlines approach, it’s worth monitoring these four players’ performances in offseason workouts and minicamps.
**4 Buccaneers on the Roster Bubble Ahead of Training Camp**
**Chase Edmonds, RB**
Last season, the Buccaneers’ running game ranked near the bottom of the league, averaging a league-worst 88.8 rushing yards per game and 3.8 yards per carry on 422 attempts. With the signings of offensive linemen Ben Bredeson, Sua Optea, and Justin Skule, and the draft additions of Graham Barton and Elijah Klein, Tampa Bay’s offensive line has significantly improved.
Tampa Bay enters 2024 with an underrated running back duo in Rachaad White and Bucky Irving. In his second season, White posted 1,539 yards and nine touchdowns on 336 touches, while Irving, a fourth-round draft pick, was one of the most productive backs in the Pac-12 Conference.
With White and Irving under team control for the next two seasons, Tampa Bay doesn’t need four backup running backs and could cut one by the end of training camp. Among Edmonds, second-year running back Sean Tucker, and rookies Ramon Jefferson and DJ Williams, Edmonds seems the most likely candidate for release. Last season, Edmonds rushed for 176 yards on 49 carries in 13 games, but cutting him would save Tampa Bay $1.01 million.
**Ko Kieft, TE & Payne Durham, TE**
Since Rob Gronkowski’s retirement in 2022, the Bucs have been searching for a reliable tight end. They drafted Kieft in the sixth round in 2022 and Durham in the fifth round in 2023. However, neither has impressed. Durham caught just five passes for 58 yards as a rookie, while Kieft has eight catches for 82 yards and two touchdowns in 33 games.
The rise of Cade Otton, who caught 47 passes for 455 yards and four touchdowns last season, has reduced the need for blocking tight ends like Durham and Kieft. Additionally, Tampa Bay drafted Devin Culp, a promising receiving tight end, in the seventh round of the 2024 draft. Culp’s potential could push Durham and Kieft further down the depth chart.
**Mike Greene, DT**
Led by star defensive tackle Vita Vea and defensive ends Calijah Kancey and Logan Hall, Tampa Bay’s defensive line totaled 91 tackles for loss and 48 sacks last season. Despite these strong numbers, the Bucs upgraded their D-line by re-signing Greg Gaines and Will Gholston and signing Randy Gregory.
Second-year lineman Mike Greene is competing for the final roster spot but struggled last season, recording just six tackles with no pressures, hurries, or sacks in ten games. This offseason, Greene has faced competition from C.J. Brewer, Eric Banks, and others. Greene’s lack of production raises concerns about his future with the Buccaneers.
