Skip to main content
Come Fan with UsFriday, July 3, 2026

Buccaneers, Rams projected to rely most on rookie starters

The Buccaneers and Rams each have a first-round pick working behind two rookie offensive linemen projected to start.

Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers and St. Louis Rams are expected to rely heavily on the production of rookies, with three projected to start on the offense for each team, according to OurLads. The site did a depth chart projection for all 32 teams, and while they will certainly shuffle in training camp, there are 30 rookies from the 2015 NFL Draft expected to start in the fall.

Jameis Winston, the No. 1 pick in the 2015 NFL Draft, appears to be unchallenged for a starting role with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, but he is projected to play behind two rookie offensive linemen, Ali Marpet and Donovan Smith. Similarly, St. Louis Rams first-round pick, Todd Gurley, is expected to be the team's starting running back, but will likely run behind a pair of rookie starters, Jamon Brown and Rob Havenstein.

Like Winston, No. 2 pick Marcus Mariota is likely to receive the starting job with the Tennessee Titans, and while he too has a rookie projected to start at right tackle, the rest of the line features a little more experience.

The Buccaneers and Rams lead all teams with three projected rookie starters each, while 12 teams have no rookies projected to start at all. Most of those teams are playoff teams, although the New York Jets aren’t expected to start a rookie with Leonard Williams projected to sit behind Muhammad Wilkerson and Sheldon Richardson in 2015.

Only two defensive backs, Giants safety Landon Collins and Eagles cornerback Eric Rowe, are expected to start in their first season.

Here’s a full breakdown of projected rookie starters from OurLads:

Team QB RB WR TE OL DL LB CB S Total
Bills
1 1
Dolphins 1 1
Patriots 1 1
Jets 0
Ravens 1 1 2
Bengals 0
Browns 1 1
Steelers 0
Texans 1 1
Colts 0
Jaguars 1 1
Titans 1 1 2
Broncos 0
Chiefs 0
Raiders 1 1 2
Chargers 1 1
Cowboys 0
Giants 1 1 2
Eagles 1 1 2
Washington 1 1
Bears 1 1
Lions 0
Packers 0
Vikings 1 1 2
Falcons 1 1
Panthers 1 1
Saints 0
Buccaneers 1 2 3
Cardinals 0
Rams 1 2 3
49ers 1 1
Seahawks 0
Totals QB RB WR TE OL DL LB CB S TOTAL
2 3 4 1 11 3 4 1 1 30
See More:

More in NFL

From SBNationExternal Link
Who wins the NFC East?Who wins the NFC East?
From SBNationExternal Link
By Mark Schofield
NFL
Brendan Sorsby gets more bad news, this time from the CFLBrendan Sorsby gets more bad news, this time from the CFL
NFL

Texas Tech quarterback Brendan Sorsby has hit another hurdle on his road to the NFL

By Mark Schofield
NFL
NFL breakout candidates at every position in 2026NFL breakout candidates at every position in 2026
NFL

A team of NFL players poised to have breakout campaigns in 2026.

By Jarrett Bailey
NFL
Lions CB Terrion Arnold faces potential life in prison for alleged kidnappingLions CB Terrion Arnold faces potential life in prison for alleged kidnapping
NFL

The Detroit Lions defender faces a potential sentence of life in prison.

By James Dator
NFL
Brendan Sorsby stuck as NFL announces NO Supplemental Draft in 2026Brendan Sorsby stuck as NFL announces NO Supplemental Draft in 2026
NFL

Another setback for the QB.

By James Dator
NFL
WNFC championship game airing Sunday, June 21st from Ford Center in FriscoWNFC championship game airing Sunday, June 21st from Ford Center in Frisco
NFL

The Women’s National Football Conference Championship will air on ESPN2 this weekend.

By RJ Ochoa