The Tampa Bay Buccaneers will cut their roster to 53 players by 4 p.m. ET Saturday. Here’s a projection:

QUARTERBACK (3): Jameis Winston, Blaine Gabbert, Ryan Griffin

There’s no definitive timetable yet for Gabbert, who suffered a dislocated shoulder in the second preseason game, but Griffin performed well enough in the preseason to serve as Winston’s No. 2 backup until Gabbert heals.

RUNNING BACK (4): Peyton Barber, Ronald Jones, Dare Ogunbowale, Andre Ellington

Despite a hot start to camp for Ellington, Ogunbowale outperformed him as the third-down back, but they value Ellington’s experience enough to go with four here for now.

WIDE RECEIVER (5): Mike Evans, Chris Godwin, Breshad Perriman, Justin Watson, Bobo Wilson

A hamstring injury slowed Scotty Miller and when he finally made his debut in the third preseason game, Arians said, “The speed of the game was a little fast for him.” With Wilson having strong second and third preseason games and ability on special teams, and Watson’s size and blocking, Miller’s the odd-man out, although they’d certainly try to sign him to the practice squad. Anthony Johnson is also a practice squad candidate.

TIGHT END (3): O.J. Howard, Cameron Brate, Antony Auclair

Despite a strong preseason for Tanner Hudson, Auclair gets the edge here because tight ends must first be able to block in Arians’ system. It wouldn’t be unfathomable for the Bucs to carry four tight ends either considering Brate (hip) and Auclair (calf) are both battling injuries and the Bucs do run a lot of two-tight end sets. Jordan Leggett has improved as a blocker and is also an option.

OFFENSIVE LINE (8): Donovan Smith, Demar Dotson, Ali Marpet, Ryan Jensen, Earl Watford, Alex Cappa, Caleb Benenoch, Zack Bailey

After surrendering 15 sacks through three preseason games, the Bucs have been searching hard for offensive line help, so there’s a good chance the 53-man squad features players who aren’t on their current roster. We'll go with this group for now. Watford can back up all five positions and Bailey, a backup guard, has the potential to do the same after playing guard, center and right tackle at South Carolina.

DEFENSIVE LINE (8): Ndamukong Suh, Vita Vea, Beau Allen, Rakeem Nunez-Roches, William Gholston, Pat O’Connor, Jeremiah Ledbetter, Terry Beckner

Nunez-Roches really turned it on when the pads came on in camp and had a strong preseason in the absence of Vea. Ledbetter, who had a great camp, suffered a high ankle sprain at the wrong time but flashed enough to earn a roster spot. O’Connor can play 3-technique in nickel situations as well as 5-technique and a ton on special teams, while Beckner can play 3-technique and nose tackle.

LINEBACKER: (9) Shaquil Barrett, Carl Nassib, Noah Spence, Lavonte David, Devin White, Deone Bucannon, Kevin Minter, Anthony Nelson, Devante Bond

Jason Pierre-Paul starts the season on the active/non-football injury list. Bond’s ability to line up outside and inside -- and serve as “a horse on special teams,” as Arians put it -- gives him a leg up on Jack Cichy, who showed a lot of promise coming back from his second torn ACL. Although he was waived/injured, look for the Bucs to try and re-sign Kahzin Daniels to the practice squad down the road when he heals from a sprained MCL.

DEFENSIVE BACK (10): Vernon Hargreaves, Carlton Davis, Sean Murphy-Bunting, Jamel Dean, Justin Evans, Jordan Whitehead, Mike Edwards, Kentrell Brice, Darian Stewart, M.J. Stewart

Injuries to Mike Edwards and Justin Evans will force the Bucs to carry five safeties. Cornerback Ryan Smith will miss the first four games of the season due to suspension so he won’t count against the initial 53-man roster. Mazzi Wilkins received some consideration but ultimately gets a practice squad invite.

SPECIALIST (4): K Matt Gay, K Cairo Santos, P Bradley Pinion, LS Zach Triner

The Bucs keep two kickers ... what?! Yep. Arians threw out the idea last week when he said, "I’ve seen people keep two kickers -- short [field goals] and long [field goals]. It’s just what’s best for your team." This is a team that's drafted two kickers in the last four years. They've already shown that they'll buck convention. Gay has a huge leg that excels from 50-plus while Santos can handle shorter distances.