3 Bucs Veterans Fighting for Their Jobs After the Draft

Buoyed by the signing of Tom Brady and the trade for Rob Gronkowski, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers went from the middle of the pack to a Super Bowl contender thanks to some masterful wheeling and dealing from head coach Bruce Arians and GM Jason Licht. All this turnover means that several established veterans who appeared to have starting spots locked up will need to really work this spring to hold onto that No. 1 spot on the depth chart.

3. S Justin Evans

The Bucs have used nine Day 2 picks on defensive backs in the last three years, and that insistence on depth on the back end has led to Tampa Bay unearthing some gems like Mike Edwards, Carlton Davis, and Sean Murphy-Bunting. Using a second-round pick on Minnesota's Antoine Winfield Jr., who can play slot corner or safety, could spell the end for Evans, a former Texas A&M star who has struggled to stay healthy in the pros.

2. OT Joe Haeg

Haeg just touched down in Tampa, and he is already facing competition for his starting gig. The Bucs used the 13th pick in the draft on Iowa tackle Tristan Wirfs, an athletic mauler perfect for Arians' scheme. Some thought that Wirfs could slide inside to guard at the next level, but Tampa's best combination of linemen on the right side of the line would put Ryan Jensen back at center with Alex Cappa at right guard and Wirfs at right tackle, relegating Haeg to the bench.

1. TE OJ Howard

Howard might have had his fifth-year option picked up, but many have already written him off in Tampa due to the presence of Rob Gronkowski and Arians' unwillingness to use two tight end sets on offense. The only way for athletic receiver Howard to stick in Tampa is Arians either changing his offense to get Gronkowski and Howard on the field frequently, or Howard accepting a backup role, which is very unlikely.