Tampa Bay

Buccaneers

“I’m feeling very good about it,” Licht told a Tampa Bay radio station. “He’s where he’s supposed to be. We’re not going to try to set any records for the fastest rehab because we want to make sure everything’s done right and just get him out there for the regular season. Right now, we’re taking it week by week. I’ve said this time and time before, but I would never bet against Chris.” Godwin dislocated his ankle in Week 7 of last season. It wouldn’t be ridiculous if he were ready for the regular season this year, but he’ll likely still be ramping up in training camp. Godwin’s health will be a situation to monitor for fantasy drafts as a delayed Godwin start could get Jalen McMillan and Mike Evans more involved with the offense early. We wouldn’t make too much of how optimistic Licht sounds as this is prime lying about injuries season, but we’d bet Godwin has a solid chance to be ready for Week 1.

Hall returns to Tampa Bay after his 2024 season ended on a fractured fibula in Week 1. Prior to joining the Buccaneers, Hall spent four seasons with the Jets, starting 17 games in 2021 and returning a fumble for a touchdown in 2023. He will be in the mix for the No. 3 cornerback spot in the Buccaneers secondary as veteran depth.

This one comes straight from Bucs GM Jason Licht, himself. Shepard caught 32-of-49 targets for 334 yards and one touchdown. He will not be a fantasy factor in 2025 but he serves as a trusted target for Baker Mayfield.

Heck will serve as a backup swing-tackle option behind the Buccaneers’ bullying offensive tackle duo of LT Tristan Wirfs and RT Luke Goedeke. Heck flashed pass-protection potential early in his career but has settled into a journeyman role. He got into a few games with the 49ers late last year as injuries struck the line, and was previously on the Arizona practice squad after a four-year rookie contract run with the Texans.

Skule served as a backup swing tackle for the Buccaneers. He earned a 66.4 PFF pass-blocking grade and a 68.9 PFF run-blocking grade on 361 offensive snaps. Not bad for a backup. With LT Christian Darrisaw suffering a torn ACL in Week 8, Skule gives the Vikings an above-average backup in the event Darrisaw needs to manage his reps early in the year.

The 25-year-old Britt is essentially replacing fellow LB Anthony Walker, who signed with the Buccaneers. Britt started 11 of 14 games in 2024, registering career highs in both defensive snaps and tackles. Britt spent four seasons with Tampa Bay after being selected in the fifth round of the 2021 NFL Draft.

Walker is an eight-year veteran of the league who started eight of the 14 games he played for the Dolphins last season. His move to Tampa correlates with former Buccaneers linebacker K.J. Britt’s signing with the Dolphins, as Walker will likely replace Britt’s role from 2024. Walker totaled 68 tackles and one sack last season while also forcing an interception. He’s a solid depth signing who can provide starting caliber snaps when necessary.

Vildor is a 27-year-old depth signing who has spent the last two years with the Titans and Lions. The sixth-year vet never started more than 12 games in a season (2021), and totaled 16 tackles and three pass breakups last season while playing on 244 defensive snaps. He’ll also be a primary contributor on special teams.

Trask was initially drafted in the second round of the 2021 draft, spending the last four years as the Buccaneers’ backup quarterback. He’s only thrown 11 passes in the NFL, completing four of them for 28 yards. Trask will backup Baker Mayfield again for 2025.

Gaines, who has started 32 games for Tampa Bay since the beginning of the 2023 season, will stay with the Bucs in 2025. Used mostly as a rotational player, Gaines has just two sacks over his two seasons with the Bucs. Tampa last year had the NFL’s tenth-highest QB pressure rate.