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The Tampa Bay Buccaneers released their initial 53-man roster on Wednesday.
Five wide receivers, including Mike Evans and Chris Godwin, made the team's initial 2023 roster. Evans, who earned four Pro Bowl selections during his time with the Buccaneers, will return for his 10th season with Tampa in 2023. They were joined by running backs Rachaad White, Chase Edmonds, Ke'Shawn Vaughn and Sean Tucker.
The Buccaneers released quarterback John Wolford on Monday. Quarterbacks Baker Mayfield and Kyle Trask made up the two signal-caller options for Tampa Bay in 2023. The Bucs named Mayfield as the team's starter under center earlier this month. Wolford became one of the first 14 players on Tampa Bay's practice squad, joining wide receiver David Moore, linebacker Jose Ramirez and tight end Tanner Taula.
Who is one sneaky roster cut survivor who could impact the Buccaneers in 2023?
Cam Gill
Gill, who signed with the Buccaneers as an undrafted free agent in 2020, has played in 25 games during his NFL career. He missed the 2022 season after suffering a Lisfranc injury in his right foot during a preseason game against the Miami Dolphins. The former Wagner linebacker re-signed with the Bucs in March.
Gill played in 88 total snaps during the 2023 NFL preseason, including 64 on the defensive line, according to Pro Football Focus. He recorded 1.5 sacks during a preseason loss to the Steelers earlier this month. He added two tackles, one tackle for loss and two quarterback hits in the 27-17 loss in Raymond James Stadium.
“It's very rewarding,” Gill said of his return to the field, via Buccaneers Senior Writer Scott Smith. “Me and Shaq, we put in work together in that season. So you know, both of us ended up on IR, we were in the training room most of the time. We pushed each other every moment to get back out here and do what we do best. It just feels good to be out here running around with my brothers, playing the game that I love.”
Six outside linebackers were listed on Tampa Bay's initial roster. Linebackers Joe Tryon-Shoyinka and Shaquil Barrett took starting spots on the Buccaneers' depth chart. Rookies Yaya Diaby and Markees Watts were listed on the roster. Diaby, a third-round selection in the 2023 NFL Draft, played in two games during the Bucs' preseason run.
Watts was signed as an undrafted free agent with Tampa Bay in May. He spent five seasons with the Charlotte 49ers, gaining a total of 21.5 sacks and 31.5 tackles for loss. He recorded three tackles, two quarterback hits and one sack in the loss to Pittsburgh.
Bucs Head Coach Todd Bowles highlighted the talent at the outside linebacker spot when asked if the 53-man roster decisions would be more difficult this summer.
“Yes, definitely, primarily at outside linebacker,” Bowles said, via Smith. “All of them can play. That's going to be the toughest one. We have some competition at other spots, but from top to bottom, the outside linebacker room is probably the toughest one because all of these guys can play in this league.”
Gill must find ways to separate himself and learn from a talented group of edge rushers. If he can, he may be an important contributor to Tampa Bay's defense and potentially boost a squad that ended last season near the top of the league with 45 total sacks, according to NFL.com.
