Bucs UDFA ‘Sleeper’ Has ‘Real Chance’ to Earn Roster Spot, Says Reporter

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are off until training camp, but a UDFA rookie has already done enough to catch the attention of those covering the team and potentially earn a roster spot if he continues to develop.

On June 17, long-time Bucs beat reporter Scott Reynolds (of Pewter Report) posted a video highlighting undrafted safety J.J. Roberts. Aka, the other rookie safety on the roster, not named Shilo Sanders.

“Let’s talk about super sleeper J.J. Roberts, and why he is a name to know as Tampa Bay’s training camp draws near,” Reynolds began. “If you have followed Pewter Report’s draft coverage this offseason, he was our Bucs’ best bet on day three at safety.”

Roberts split his collegiate career between Wake Forest and Marshall, finishing as a 13-game starter for the latter. He registered 3 college interceptions, 5 forced fumbles, 6 tackles for a loss and a whopping 25 pass defenses — 14 of which came in 2024.

“The Bucs liked Roberts so much that they had him in for an official [top] 30 [pre-draft] visit,” Reynolds noted. Adding that Tampa Bay also dished out a $30,000 signing bonus and $270,000 in salary guarantees.

Reynolds guessed that those contract terms would at least guarantee Roberts a role on the practice squad, assuming he doesn’t steal a spot on the 53-man roster, of course.

The veteran Buccaneers insider believes there is a “real chance” that Roberts survives the cutdown at the end of August. Reasoning that the Bucs UDFA has “quickly become one of [head coach] Todd Bowles’ favorite new players.”

Reynolds then quoted Bowles, who described Roberts as “intriguing” because of his cornerback-like “speed” and “athleticism,” as well as his versatility and his ability to tackle.

Bucs UDFA J.J. Roberts Reminds Front Office of Justin Evans Prior to His Injury

As Reynolds continued on with the video, he relayed that the Buccaneers front office told him that Roberts reminds them of former Bucs safety Justin Evans before his foot injury.

“The way he moves” and the athleticism stood out most when making this comparison.

Evans was a former second-round pick of Tampa Bay in 2017. He appeared in 24 regular-season games for the Buccaneers over his first two NFL seasons, recording 4 interceptions and 8 pass breakups before his injury hiatus.

Evans’ last NFL snap came in 2023 with the Philadelphia Eagles, but he was never the same player after getting hurt. Perhaps, Roberts can pick up where he left off.

“[His] athleticism has caused the Bucs to move Roberts around the field, to free safety, strong safety, slot cornerback and even outside cornerback for a couple of reps, just to see what he could do there,” Reynolds relayed with Pewter Report.

“If Roberts, who is known as a hard-hitter, impresses when the pads come on… he could not only make the 53-man roster, but he could be the most versatile defensive back in Tampa Bay’s secondary, rivaling Christian Izien for that title,” the reporter predicted.

Safety Depth Spots Could Be Up for Grabs at Buccaneers Training Camp

Outside of All-Pro safety Antoine Winfield Jr.’s role as a starter, nothing is really locked in at safety for the Buccaneers.

Reynolds argued that Roberts could contend with all five of the other safeties on the 90-man roster at training camp, including Izien. So, this is set up to be one of the more competitive battles of July and August.

Along with Izien and Roberts, the Buccaneers have awarded opportunities to Marcus Banks, Kaevon Merriweather, Rashad Wisdom and the aforementioned Sanders.

As always, it will come down to who makes the most of their reps, and right now, the Bucs UDFA out of Marshall appears to have as good a chance as anybody.