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4 Buccaneers cut candidates on chopping block entering 2026 NFL training camp appeared first on ClutchPoints. Add ClutchPoints as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers will not be messing around during the 2026 NFL season. Tampa did not win the NFC South in 2025 and missed the playoffs as a result. But the Buccaneers reloaded the roster with talented players this offseason and should be ready to right those wrongs during the 2026 season later this fall.
Next up for the Buccaneers is training camp, which kicks off on July 29th with the first full team practice. Tampa will face some difficult decisions over the next month as they trim their roster down to the best 53 players.
Who is in the most danger of being cut before the beginning of the regular season?
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Four Buccaneers players stand out as being on the chopping block entering training camp.
Multiple factors could lead to Kameron Johnson being cut
Johnson faces competition on multiple fronts that could see him released before the end of training camp.
The third-year wide receiver was barely a factor during his rookie season. However, Johnson found a reliable role as a return specialist during the 2025 season. He logged 17 punt returns for 291 yards and 27 kick returns for 685 yards in 2025.
Johnson has yet to show upside as a receiver, only managing four receptions for 64 receiving yards and a touchdowns in two seasons.
Two offseason additions make Johnson’s future in Tampa highly questionable.
The first is backup running back Kenneth Gainwell. While Gainwell plays a different position, he is still a threat to Johnson as a return specialist. Gainwell had his best season as a returner in 2025, logging 26 returns for 633 yards with the Steelers.
If push comes to shove, it is easy to imagine the Buccaneers siding with Gainwell over Johnson. Remember, Gainwell looks poised for a big role behind Bucky Irving in the backfield. That makes him indispensable, whereas Johnson is simply holding onto the bottom of the roster.
Johnson also faces increased competition at the wide receiver position itself. Tampa used a third-round pick on Ted Hurst III, giving them another young receiver with high upside.
Now the Buccaneers have Emeka Egbuka, Chris Godwin, Jalen McMillan, Tez Johnson, and Hurst in their wide receiver room. Every one of those players is better positioned to make the roster than Johnson.
Johnson has to pray that Tampa keeps six wide receivers, and that he can earn that sixth spot in camp.
Devin Culp is an extreme long shot to make the final roster
One position where the Buccaneers almost have too much depth is tight end. That could be a big problem for Culp.
The Buccaneers have a solid all-around starter in Cade Otton and a reliable backup in Payne Durham. They also have Ko Kieft, who suffered a broken leg in Week 3 last season. That injury was long enough that he could make his return at some point in 2026.
Finally, Tampa used a sixth-round pick on tight end Bauer Sharp from LSU. Bauer is a converted quarterback who put up pedestrian production as a receiver during his collegiate career. He faces an uphill battle to even make an NFL roster. Still, Bauer is yet another obstacle in the way for Culp.
As for Culp, he needs to make a strong impression on Tampa’s coaching staff to earn his spot on the roster.
Culp has not made much of an impact early in his career, despite profiling as a dangerous pass catching threat. He only has six receptions for 94 receiving yards and a touchdown during his two years in Tampa.
Culp still has two years left on his rookie contract, which at least creates some kind of argument to keep him around. Still, he needs to prove himself on the field as well.
Ultimately, the best-case scenario for Culp could be beating out Bauer in a training camp battle. If Bauer heads to the practice squad, and Kieft starts the season on an injured list, then Culp has a chance at making the 53.
Chris Braswell, David Walker could be fighting for one roster spot
The Buccaneers entered the offseason with huge needs on the edge. They deserve credit for wisely using their resources to solve that problem.
First, Tampa brought in Al-Quadin Muhammad on a one-year deal with a maximum value of $6 million during NFL free agency. Muhammad had a breakout season in 2025, logging 25 total tackles and 11 sacks for the Lions. He projects as a useful rotational player for the Buccaneers in 2026.
But the biggest addition came in the 2026 NFL Draft when Tampa selected Rueben Bain Jr. in the first round. The former Hurricane came into the draft on the heels of an incredible 15.5-sack season and was well respected among NFL scouts. Make no mistake, the Buccaneers were lucky to scoop him up in the middle of the first round.
Tampa adds Bain and Muhammad on top of Yaya Diaby, Anthony Nelson, and a handful of other backups. Those reserve players are the most in danger of being squeezed out as only so many pass rushers can make the final roster.
Chris Braswell and David Walker both have a shot to make the team as a fifth edge rusher. But there may only be room for one of them, not both.
Braswell has underwhelmed after joining the Buccaneers as a second-round pick. He only has 48 total tackles and two-and-a-half sacks during his first two seasons. Braswell needs to show that he can improve his game during training camp, otherwise he will be firmly on the chopping block.
Meanwhile, health is the name of the game for Walker. Walker missed his rookie season after tearing his ACL in the early days of training camp. Now just one year removed, Walker needs to show promise right away to stay in Tampa’s good graces.
Buccaneers fans should watch both players closely throughout training camp and the preseason.
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