- Head coach: Todd Bowles (fourth season)
- PFF projected win total: 9.4
- 2024 record: 10-7 (first in NFC South, lost in NFC wild-card round)
Biggest Strength: Offensive Balance
Tampa Bay was a top-eight team in PFF passing grade, PFF rushing grade, PFF receiving grade and PFF pass-blocking grade last season. The only other squad to accomplish that feat was the Baltimore Ravens. Baker Mayfield earned a career-high PFF overall grade, and rookie sensation Bucky Irving ranked fourth among qualified running backs in PFF overall grade (90.8). Mike Evans and Chris Godwin continue to headline an outstanding receiving corps, and Tristan Wirfs will lead an ascending offensive line. The only real question for this offense is its adjustment to new offensive coordinator Josh Grizzard.
Biggest Weakness: Middle-of-the-Field Coverage
An unusually mediocre season from Antoine Winfield Jr. and coverage struggles at linebacker exposed the Buccaneers’ weaknesses in the middle of the field. When defending throws in the middle-third of the field, Tampa Bay ranked 26th in PFF coverage grade, 29th in EPA allowed per pass and 31st in passer rating allowed. A bounce-back campaign from Winfield would help the cause, but a lack of depth behind him and at linebacker could lead opponents to attack the middle of the field again this season.
Quarterback Spotlight: Baker Mayfield
- 2024 PFF Grade: 85.9
- Key Stat: 91.9 PFF passing grade on 0-9-yard throws (second in NFL)
Mayfield took command of Liam Coen’s conservative passing game in 2024 and played arguably the best football of his career. His 85.9 PFF overall grade, 43 passing touchdowns and 79.2% adjusted completion rate were all career-high marks. Even as the team battled wide receiver injuries, Mayfield was accurate with the football, allowing his weapons to make plays after the catch. He ranked second in the league, behind Joe Burrow, with a 91.9 short PFF passing grade and topped the NFL with 20 touchdowns on those throws, postseason included.
Offensive Player: T Tristan Wirfs
Wirfs is clearly capable of playing elite football, regardless of whether he’s at right tackle or left tackle. In his second season of protecting Baker Mayfield’s blind side, Wirfs led all offensive linemen in PFF pass-blocking grade (94.1). He allowed no sacks and just one knockdown the entire season, with the lone knockdown coming at the hands of Raiders superstar Maxx Crosby. Wirfs will miss at least the first four games of this season due to injury, but he is one of the best tackles in the NFL when healthy.
Defensive Player: S Antoine Winfield Jr.
Injuries contributed to an uncharacteristically subpar season in 2024 for Winfield. Across 10 games, he recorded a career-low 57.8 PFF overall grade. Assuming he is fully healthy, Winfield should be able to bounce back, considering he was the NFL’s highest-graded safety over the previous three seasons.
Looking for more NFL team previews?
Rookie to Watch: CB Benjamin Morrison
Morrison was a first-round talent who fell into the second round due to concerns about a hip injury he suffered last season. Across his three seasons at Notre Dame, Morrison earned an elite 90.5 PFF coverage grade. Opportunities could arise for Morrison on the outside as Tykee Smith moves to safety and fellow draftee Jacob Parrish likely finds a role in the slot. Morrison potentially becomes the primary backup on the outside, behind Jamel Dean and Zyon McCollum, which could be something of an audition as McCollum enters the final year of his contract.
Fantasy Spotlight: RB Bucky Irving, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Irving was a fourth-round pick by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and, in his first year, finished fourth among running backs in PFF overall grade, powered by elite grades as both a rusher and receiver. He started the season playing just over 30% of the Buccaneers’ offensive snaps and ended playing around 70% of their snaps. He was among the top running backs at the end of the season.
Most of his situation is the same this season, except for a change in offensive coordinator. The backfield could go back toward a committee approach, but Irving may also become even more of an every-down back.
Best Bet: Bucky Irving to go over 1,000.5 rushing yards (-114)
Irving fought throughout his rookie campaign for an increased share of the backfield, progressively taking on more control until he was officially given the keys late in the year. From Week 16 onward, Irving handled 78.2% of the Buccaneers’ attempts and generated the fifth-most rushes of 10 or more yards (nine). With a full season heading this backfield, Irving is poised to easily top this 1,000.5-yard line.
Bottom Line
The Buccaneers and their explosive offense are built to win the NFC South again as long as they can adjust to new offensive coordinator Josh Grizzard. Their ability to improve upon last year’s defensive performance will determine whether they can make a deep postseason run.
This news was originally published on this post .
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