Tampa Bay faces a Week 1 test with key injuries to Godwin, Wirfs, Izien and Morrison, while Vea is a game-time gamble and Lavonte David rests. Mayfield must lean on Evans and Cade Otton, with Emeka Egbuka and Tez Johnson sliding into a bigger role. Atlanta counters with Michael Penix Jr. and a spruced-up receiving corps, setting up a Week 1 clash that will stress depth, timing, and scheme in fantasy lineups.

Tampa Bay’s depth strategy gets an exclamation point in 2025 as three undrafted rookies—John Bullock, Benjamin Chukwuma, and Josh Williams—make the 53-man roster after standout camp showings. Licht has long mined UDFA gems like Christian Izien and Sean Tucker, and this year reinforces the Buccaneers’ blueprint: players earn genuine opportunities regardless of draft status, building a flexible, competitive roster as the season opens.

Bullock’s Nebraska speed, Chukwuma’s raw strength and versatility, and Williams’s physical running and receiving package underscore Licht’s eye for high upside. The veteran approach isn’t just about stockpiling bodies; it’s about sustainable competition that bolsters special teams and provides depth in key spots, setting up Tampa Bay for meaningful contributions from players other teams overlooked in April.

Magnetizing UDFA success translates to fantasy and betting relevance too. As these rookies develop, they could creep into rotation snaps, with Williams perhaps handling early-down duties and return roles, while Bullock and Chukwuma add interior versatility. The Buccaneers’ 2025 roster, shaped by Licht’s zeal for under-the-radar talent, promises a deeper, more unpredictable unit that could tilt weekly matchups in late-season fantasy lineups and divisional showdowns.

Shilo Sanders was waived by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers after a preseason ejection against the Bills, clearing waivers and facing an uncertain NFL path. The 25-year-old safety took four tackles in three exhibition games and expressed gratitude for the Buccaneers’ support, framing the setback as part of a larger story of growth and faith.

TB’s safety depth—Antoine Winfield Jr., Tykee Smith, and Christian Izien—made Sanders expendable, leaving him to chase another opportunity. The piece highlights his work ethic and resilience as he looks for a new team and a possible late-career spark in the right system.