Buccaneers Projected Roster: Getting to 53

Several players who will be part of Tampa Bay’s 53-man roster didn't play in the preseason opener against Miami. That gave others further down the depth chart another opportunity to prove themselves.

Players will get a second chance to prove their worth with Friday’s home preseason debut against Tennessee. There could be substantial movement on this list over the coming weeks.

Each week during preseason, RapidReports will take a position-by-position look at players who are likely to make the cut to 53 on Sept. 2.

QB -- In (3): Josh Freeman, Dan Orlovsky, Brett Ratliff. Out: Nobody. Analysis: Freeman is the entrenched starter, and the addition of Orlovsky this offseason gave the Bucs a veteran to help Freeman along and a capable No. 2 should injury occur. Ratliff wasn’t awe-inspiring in the preseason opener, but he should have a chance to stick around as an emergency option.

RB -- In (4): LeGarrette Blount, Doug Martin, Mossis Madu, Michael Smith. Out: De’Anthony Curtis. Analysis: This could be the most crowded position battle on the roster. Blount and Martin continue to joust for top billing, with Madu providing an extra option. Smith may beat out Curtis in a battle of rookies thanks largely to Smith’s potential to make plays on special teams.

WR -- In (6): Vincent Jackson, Mike Williams, Arrelious Benn, Preston Parker, Tiquan Underwood, Sammie Stroughter. Out: Wallace Wright, Greg Ellingson, Landon Cox, Ed Gant, Armahd Lewis. Analysis: The top end of the depth chart looks far better than it did in 2011, with free agent Jackson providing an anchor and a deep threat. If Underwood continues to impress as he did during training camp, he should be on the right side of the cut line.

TE -- In (3): Dallas Clark, Luke Stocker, Zack Pianalto. Out: Collin Franklin, Drake Dunsmore, Danny Noble. Analysis: The Bucs have a 10-year veteran in Clark at the top of the depth chart, and none of the other players at the position have more than two years of experience. Stocker and Pianalto have the jobs for now, but rookies Dunsmore and Noble could still compete for a spot.

OL -- In (9): Donald Penn, Carl Nicks, Jeremy Zuttah, Davin Joseph, Jeremy Trueblood, Demar Dotson, Mike Ingersoll, Ted Larsen, Jamon Meredith. Out: Derek Hardman, Bradley Sowell, Desmond Wynn, Moe Petrus, Mike VanDerMeulen, Jermarcus Hardrick. Analysis: The organization feels reasonably good about the first-teamers, but depth is a concern. Like several other positions, this one is filled with young players once you get past the starters.

DL -- In (9): Michael Bennett, Gerald McCoy, Roy Miller, Adrian Clayborn, E.J. Wilson, Amobi Okoye, Gary Gibson, George Johnson, Da'Quan Bowers: Out: Wallace Gilberry, Frank Okam, Daniel Te’o-Nesheim, Jordan Nix, Quintin Anderson. Analysis: The Bucs have used several draft choices here in recent years with mixed results. Bowers, the team’s second-round pick in 2011, finds himself a third-team DE on the depth chart. Clayborn is the best pass rusher on the roster, and Okoye could provide solid depth at DT.

LB -- In (7): Quincy Black, Mason Foster, Lavonte David, Dekoda Watson, Adam Hayward, Jacob Cutrera, Najee Goode. Out: Brian Smith, Rennie Curran. Analysis: David, a rookie from Nebraska, showed why he was penciled in as a starter at weak-side LB by coming up with an interception in the preseason opener. There are several experienced backups at this position, and making the cut won’t be easy. Goode could be fighting with his college teammate, DB Keith Tandy (both from West Virginia), for a roster spot.

DB -- In (9): Aqib Talib, Eric Wright, Mark Barron, Ronde Barber, E.J. Biggers, Anthony Gaitor, Larry Asante, Ahmad Black, Myron Lewis. Out: Keith Tandy, Leonard Johnson, Cody Grimm, Marquese Wheaton, Tramain Thomas, Sean Baker. Analysis: This position may have the best mix of experience and young talent on the roster. The starting safety spots will be held by a talented rookie (Barron) and a 16-year pro (Barber). Cornerback depth is a potential concern.

Special teams -- In (3): Michael Koenen, Connor Barth, Andrew Economos. Out: Eric Guthrie, Kai Forbath, Andrew DePaola. Analysis: Koenen and Barth are entrenched as starters at P and PK, respectively, and Economos stands to hold onto the long snapping job. There just isn’t room on the roster for anyone else.

For more from Tampa Bay Bucs blogger Patrick Southern, follow @CBSSportsNFLTB on Twitter.