How The Bucs 2023 Draft Class Fits On The 2024 Roster

The Bucs leveraged their rookies at one of the highest rates in the NFL last year. Tampa Bay rookies played 4,708 regular season snaps last year, which ranked third in the NFL behind just the Packers and the Cardinals. Five rookies wound up as starters by the end of the year.

Cody Mauch went wire-to-wire as the starting right guard. Likewise, Calijah Kancey was the starting defensive tackle opposite Vita Vea on the defensive side of the ball. Undrafted free agent Christian Izien was a surprise opening day starter as the nickel corner and started all 19 games there. Eventually receiver Trey Palmer and outside linebacker Yaya Diaby went from meaningful rotational players to starters by year’s end.

Now, fresh off a playoff run and headed into year two, let’s look at where each player fits into the team’s 2024 early roster projection.

Bucs Starters

DL Calijah Kancey

Two of the five players listed above are locked into starting roles headed into 2024. First-round pick Calijah Kancey and second-round pick Cody Mauch are both entrenched as starters moving into their second years.

After an early-season injury cost Kancey the bulk of the first five games of the season he had an impressive rookie campaign. He flashed explosive get-off, quick hands and an advanced pass rush plan. Kancey’s 34 pressures ranked sixth in among all rookies and he registered four sacks in the regular season and 1.5 more in the playoffs.

Calijah Kancey coming out of Pitt had as much upside as you’ll see for any interior rusher and he’s been a game wrecker so far in the playoffs.

Big sack here against Jared Goff 💥 pic.twitter.com/1tJMe3B872

— NFL Draft Files (@NFL_DF) January 21, 2024

OG Cody Mauch

Don’t let the Pro Football Focus grades fool you. Cody Mauch had a promising rookie season.  Don’t get me wrong. There were rough spots. His pass block win rate was too low and must improve. He also had a steep learning curve in terms of his run blocking as an interior blocker. But there were flashes throughout the season. Mauch never looked overmatched and showed progress throughout most games as he learned his opponents.

Mauch was ascending from Week 11 to Week 16 before hitting something of a rookie wall towards the end of the season. All of that progress has the Bucs excited for a big step up in year two as they continue to rebuild their offensive line that has almost completely overturned from their 2020 Super Bowl lineup. Will Mauch stay at right guard or move to left guard this offseason? That’s the big question, but no one is questioning whether or not he will be a starter this year. Tampa Bay loves his upside.

Cody Mauch and DeMarvin Leal had a fun back and forth pic.twitter.com/XWrxx8GjcT

— Brandon Thorn (@BrandonThornNFL) August 14, 2023

Bucs Starter/Rotational Players

YaYa Diaby

Diaby took Joe Tryon-Shoyinka’s starting role late in the season en route to 7.5 sacks, a forced fumble and 26 pressures. Diaby showed a high floor as a strong run defender while becoming a true opportunist as a pass rusher. Diaby will have to build upon some of those splash plays by improving his pass rush plan and repertoire.

Diaby’s spot as a starter is not a forgone conclusion. His play last year warranted a move above JTS on the depth chart last year. But with the additions of Randy Gregory and Chris Braswell it’s anybody’s guess which two players will be named starters. Nevertheless, Diaby will log significant snaps whether he is the starter or not.

You’ve got to appreciate the rookie pass rusher, Yaya Diaby (@greatyaya4) putting in work watching tape. Look at this callout and adjustment he makes pre-snap – He puts himself in the best position to make the play at does it! Awesome stuff! #Bucsfilm2023wk16 pic.twitter.com/j0hYkNMoa7

— Steven Cheah (@StevenCheah) December 28, 2023

WR Trey Palmer

Despite being a sixth-round pick, Trey Palmer was quickly thrust into the starting lineup for the Bucs after Russell Gage was lost to a season-ending knee injury in training camp. By the time Week 5 rolled around Palmer had elevated himself past Deven Thompkins as the team’s starting slot receiver.

Palmer had an up-and-down season with a couple of impressive games where he consistently got open behind defenses but was not always able to show the production for it as he and quarterback Baker Mayfield were unable to connect. His best game was in Week 17 when the Bucs hosted the Saints, and he caught four passes for 84 yards and a touchdown.

For the season Palmer caught 59% of his 66 targets (39) for 385 yards and three touchdowns. The Bucs misused Palmer’s skillset for stretches of the season using him on screens and short hitches rather than targeting him deep down field.

While Palmer had an encouraging start to his career, the Bucs brought in competition this year in the form of third-round pick Jalen McMillan. The two will battle it out for the starting “Z” receiver role as Tampa Bay has announced that last year’s flanker, Chris Godwin, will be moving inside to the slot. Regardless of who wins the role, both will see time on the field.

Trey Palmer has put together a preseason where he looks like a legit WR3 in that offense pic.twitter.com/nDiiCE2A0c

— Trevor Sikkema (@TampaBayTre) August 26, 2023

Fighting For A Role In Tampa Bay

DBs Christian Izien and Josh Hayes

Izien started the season on a tear with interceptions in back-to-back games in Weeks 1 and 2. The playmaking streak would stop there though. Izien would prove to be a solid run defender as a nickelback while having an inconsistent season as a coverage player. Izien was targeted 62 times in 2023 and allowed a 79% catch rate and 1.04 yards per coverage rate.

The Bucs brought in plenty of competition for Izien in the form of free agent Tavierre Thomas and third-round pick Tykee Smith. Izien played admirably last year, especially for his draft status, but has limitations to his game. Thomas has a more proven track record of success as a slot defender and Smith is an exciting defender who played the nickel very well for a stout Georgia defense last year.

If Izien, who will also be cross-trained at safety, loses the starting nickel corner role he may not have a guaranteed roster spot to fall back on. If both Thomas and Smith outplay him he could find himself on the practice squad to start the season.

In his NFL debut, Rutgers product Christian Izien makes a goal-line interception for the Buccaneers: pic.twitter.com/NuwD3rU66o

— Brian Fonseca (@briannnnf) September 10, 2023

Josh Hayes was mostly a special teams specialist last year, logging 279 snaps – mostly as a gunner. He led all Bucs players with 14 special teams tackles last year, which was the second most in the NFL. Hayes was used sparingly as a backup cornerback, playing just 29 snaps on defense. There is a good chance Hayes has a secured place on the roster due to his special teams prowess.

He’s moved from practicing at nickelback to outside cornerback where he will compete for a spot on the depth chart behind Jamel Dean, Zyon McCollum and Bryce Hall.

TE Payne Durham and WR Rakim Jarrett

Rakim Jarrett was an exciting addition to the Bucs 2023 roster as an undrafted free agent. He made the team over veteran David Moore coming out of training camp and logged snaps in every game until going on injured reserve in Week 12. Jarrett caught only four passes on the year, but was starting to earn additional playing time before his injury.

He will be battling with Deven Thompkins for the WR5 role behind Palmer and McMillan. Thompkins may have the leg up as last year’s return man, but Jarrett has special teams value as well, averaging over 11 snaps per game on teams.

Durham made some impressive grabs near the goal line last year. And he has a chance to build upon those flashes in 2024. The Bucs decided to not bolster their tight end room with any significant additions in free agency or the draft. The team did select Devin Culp out of Washington in the seventh round, but he should hardly be considered a lock to make the team.

If Durham can show consistency as a blocker, he has a clear path to usurping Ko Kieft as the team’s TE2 behind starter Cade Otton. Kieft is a limited player who is rostered mainly for his ability to block. But he has not proven to be a stud blocker whom the team has to find ways to get on the field.

As such, if Durham can show a more well-rounded skillset that includes a higher ceiling as a receiver, the Bucs may opt to move him to the backup spot where he will see the field more and then decide whether they would rather have Culps athleticism and speed or Kieft’s blocking in the TE3 spot.

uhhh is that Payne Durham or GRONK?!?! pic.twitter.com/77U7splcUF

— NFL on CBS 🏈 (@NFLonCBS) November 26, 2023

ILB SirVocea Dennis

Dennis was another Day 3 pick who was able to make an immediate contribution on special teams last year. The athletic linebacker started one game after injuries befell Lavonte David. Dennis played well against Indianapolis, recording five tackles and playing well in coverage.

Towards the end of the season the Bucs made the decision to cut into Devin White’s playing time. But it wasn’t Dennis who got the nod to split snaps with White. The Bucs instead turned to third-year linebacker K.J. Britt. Britt lacks Dennis’ ability to move in space, but provides more of a thumping, physical presence.

While Britt is the anticipated starter, there is a world where the Bucs opt to split the linebacker duties next to David between Britt and Dennis similar to how they split the snaps with White and Britt late last year. Dennis will need to show an aptitude for pass defense that prompts the Bucs to opt for him as a third down option.

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