Tampa Bay’s 2026 offensive depth chart will not look all that different from 2025. The Buccaneers are bringing back most of its starting lineup aside from Mike Evans, who signed with the 49ers at the start of free agency. The main difference from last year is the depth, with Tampa Bay replacing primary backups, particularly the backfield.
The front office and the coaching staff appear to write off last season’s offensive struggles as the result of injuries, which took out starters from almost every position group for extended periods. There is clear faith that the core offense from the last two seasons is good enough to recapture the NFC South.
Here is the projected Bucs depth chart heading into OTAs and training camp:
Quarterback
Baker Mayfield (starter)Jake Browning
Regardless of his contract status in 2027, Baker Mayfield will be the Bucs’ starting quarterback in 2026. Jake Browning is a serviceable backup with enough experience to keep Tampa Bay from rostering Connor Bazelak or Jalon Daniels.
Running back
Bucky Irving (starter)Kenneth GainwellSean Tucker
Bucky Irving will look to bounce back from an injury-riddled 2025 season while Kenneth Gainwell takes Rachaad White’s roster spot and his jersey number. Sean Tucker returns on right-of-first-refusal tender, hoping to make a big enough impact to get the rare second contract at running back.
Wide receiver
Chris Godwin (starter)Emeka Egbuka (starter)Jalen McMillan (starter)Ted HurstTez JohnsonKam Johnson
With Mike Evans gone, Chris Godwin becomes the leader of Tampa Bay’s deep wide receiver room with 2025 first-round pick Emeka Egbuka next to him as the heir to the top spot. Jalen McMillan may stand at WR3, but after a strong end to last season, he will be eyeing a much larger role. Expectations should be tempered for 2026 third-rounder Ted Hurst, who is making a massive jump from the Sun Belt to the NFL. Tez and Kam Johnson (no relation) return as valuable role players and depth.
Tight end
Cade Otton (starter)Payne DurhamKo KieftBauer Sharp
Many draft pundits expected the Bucs to find a new starter at tight end this offseason. However, no tight end has played more snaps than Cade Otton since 2022, a testament to his utility and durability. Ko Kieft missed last season due to injury, but the Bucs re-signed him for his special teams and blocking value. Payne Durham should keep his roster spot but could lose snaps to 2026 sixth-rounder Bauer Sharp, who brings more athleticism and upside. Sharp likely pushes out Devin Culp after two seasons of limited production as a primarily receiving tight end.
Offensive line
Tristan Wirfs (starter)Ben Bredeson (starter)Graham Barton (starter)Cody Mauch (starter)Luke Goedeke (starter)Ben ChukwumaJustin SkuleDan FeeneyBilly Schrauth
Last season, the Bucs’ starting offensive line played zero snaps together due to a litany of injuries. This was one of the biggest, if not the most obvious, drivers of their offensive struggles. The five starters return with the intention of recapturing their 2024 success. Second-year lineman Ben Chukwuma is now firmly entrenched as the line’s swing tackle. 2026 fifth-rounder Billy Schrauth is in position to take 2024 sixth-rounder Elijah Klein’s roster spot, unless Klein makes a leap in training camp. Otherwise, veterans Justin Skule and Dan Feeney should round out the Bucs’ offensive line depth.
This article originally appeared on Bucs Wire: Bucs projected offensive depth chart after the NFL Draft
Reporting by Jason Kanno, Buccaneers Wire / Bucs Wire
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
