From now until the start of the NFL season, I will be releasing a weekly article called State Of The League. It will cover each of the 32 NFL teams, including their 2023 season, offseason acquisitions, and what to expect from them in 2024 (think best/worst-case scenarios). Enjoy! Up next is the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
Ever since the Tampa Bay Buccaneers won the Super Bowl in 2020, they’ve made the postseason a yearly thing.
Remember that this team went 11 straight years without making the playoffs (2008-2019). So, seeing them succeed is a refreshing sight.
Sure, the days of Tom Brady leading this team have been over. His three-year stint consisted of that Lombardi Trophy along with two NFC South division titles in 2021 and 2022.
Though his retirement after the 2022 season led to question marks at the quarterback position, enter Baker Mayfield to save the day and lead them to a 9-8 record and a third straight division title.
In a weak NFC South, this team is more than likely to be on top once again. Question is: can they be on top of the NFL like they were four years ago?
2023 Season
- Head Coach: Todd Bowles
- Record: 9-8
- Offense: 20.5 PPG (20/32)
- Defense: 19.1 PPGA (7/32)
- Leading passer: QB Baker Mayfield: (12-5 record, 64.3% completion percentage, 28 touchdowns, ten interceptions)
- Leading rusher: RB Rachaad White (272 carries, 990 yards, six touchdowns)
- Leading receiver: WR Mike Evans (79 catches, 1,255 yards, 13 touchdowns)
- Leading tackler: LB Lavonte David (134)
- Sacks: LB YaYa Diaby (7.5)
- Interceptions: S Antoine Winfield Jr. (3)
The Buccaneers got off to a fast start in 2023, starting the season 3-1 with wins over the Vikings, Bears, and Saints.
But, the only downside with their schedule was an early bye in week five. Things took a turn from there, as they lost four straight and a total of six of their next seven games. Their playoff hopes were on life support after week 12, with a record of 4-7.
However, this team just knows how to fight and turn things around. The Buccaneers did the impossible, winning five of their last six games to finish 9-8 and hoist the NFC South division title.
Their first test was a Philadelphia Eagles team that they struggled against in the regular season. Not to worry, as Tampa’s defense held Jalen Hurts and Co. to nine points, the offense put up 32, and they moved on to the divisional round.
Unfortunately, things ended in the hands of the Detroit Lions, who escaped with a 31-23 win at Ford Field.
Offseason Acquisitions and Departures
- Notable depatures: CB Carlton Davis III (trade), EDGE Shaquil Barrett
- Notable signings: S Jordan Whitehead, CB Bryce Hall, G Ben Bredeson
- Re-signings: WR Mike Evans (two-year, $41 million deal), QB Baker Mayfield (three years, $100 million), K Chase McLaughlin (three years, $12.3 million), S Antoine Winfield Jr (franchise tag), LB Lavonte David
Favorite Acquisition: QB Baker Mayfield. It was a re-signing, but it still qualifies as an acquisition. The former first-round pick finally gets the money he’s always deserved after bouncing around different teams the past few years. For Tampa Bay, the contract is a win for them as they can opt-out after each of the three years. But, it’s clear they trust Mayfield to be their franchise guy who can lead them deep into the playoffs. It helps the weapons around him are great in Evans, Chris Godwin, and Rachaad White.
Draft
- R1, P26: C Graham Barton, Duke
- R2, P25: EDGE Chris Braswell, Alabama
- R3, P26: S Tykee Smith, Georgia
- R3, P29: WR Jalen McMillan, Washington
- R4, P25: RB Bucky Irving, Oregon
- R6, P44: OG Elijah Klein, UTEP
- R7, P26: TE Devin Culp, Washington
Favorite Pick: EDGE Chris Braswell. After releasing Shaq Barrett this offseason, Tampa Bay needed someone to replace his production. Enter Braswell, who was not much of a starter with the Crimson Tide but was productive in 2023. His 8.5 sacks was a career-high and displayed explosive power and burst on tape. With comparisons to Harold Landry III, Braswell will look to effectively replace Barrett’s production and be the effective pass rusher this team needs. After finishing as the eighth-worst team in pressure percentage, they need him to get after the quarterback.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers 2024 Regular Season Schedule
Football's back 🤝 Shotgunning Gatorade pic.twitter.com/intnEaxqZg
— Tampa Bay Buccaneers (@Buccaneers) July 22, 2024
- Week 1: vs. Commanders
- Week 2: @ Lions
- Week 3: vs. Broncos
- Week 4: vs. Eagles
- Week 5: @ Falcons (TNF)
- Week 6: @ Saints
- Week 7: vs. Ravens (MNF)
- Week 8: vs. Falcons
- Week 9: @ Chiefs (MNF)
- Week 10: vs. 49ers
- Week 11: BYE WEEK
- Week 12: @ Giants
- Week 13: @ Panthers
- Week 14: vs. Raiders
- Week 15: @ Chargers
- Week 16: @ Cowboys (SNF)
- Week 17: vs. Panthers
- Week 18: vs. Saints
Favorite Matchup: Week 9 @ Chiefs. A matchup against the defending champions on Monday night is the best time to show what you’re made of. The last time these two faced off was in 2022, when Kansas City took care of Tampa Bay 41-31. But, Chiefs fans remember the unfortunate ending to their 2021 season when Tom Brady and the Buccaneers demolished the Chiefs in the Super Bowl 31-9. If the Buccaneers want to make a statement and show they’re for real, then this game will be a big one. Especially true for Baker Mayfield, who will get to show the national audience he deserved that new contract.
Thoughts On The Tampa Bay Buccaneers Offense
After being negative about Mayfield since the moment he stepped on the field, he has proved me wrong since his arrival in Tampa Bay. The signal-caller had a career year in 2023, throwing for 4,000 for the first time in his career and 28 touchdowns.
The weapons around him are solid, including backfield mate Rachaad White, who had his first full year as the starting back last year and was quite productive. Though he only had 3.6 yards per carry, he was a solid receiving back (64 catches for 549 yards and three touchdowns). He, along with rookie Bucky Irving, are a solid 1-2 punch.
Mike Evans (81.5 PFF grade) and Chris Godwin (77.5) are still one of the best wide receiving duos in the league. Behind them are Trey Palmer and promising rookie Jalen McMillan, who was part of a high-octane offense at the University of Washington. Tight end Cade Otton is also another solid weapon in the offense, as he looks to improve on his 455 receiving yards and four touchdowns last year.
The offensive line unit was improved on with the addition of first-round rookie center Graham Barton and free agent left guard Ben Bredeson. Left tackle Tristan Wirfs is one of the best at his position. But, the major concern is right guard, with Cody Mauch set to start despite grading out at 43.9 according to PFF (one of the worst in the league).
On Defense…
Defensively, nose tackle Vita Vea leads the defensive line. The six-year starter from Washington has been nothing but solid for the Buccaneers, recording 55 sacks and two forced fumbles in 2023.
On the edge, Yaya Diaby and Joe Tryon-Shoyinka will look to bring pressure to the quarterback. After what we saw from the former in just his first season, it won’t be a surprise if he records double-digit sacks in 2024. At inside linebacker, fourth-year player K.J. Britt will work alongside veteran Lavonte David, who continues to remain healthy and productive (134 tackles in 2023).
In the secondary, the two starting cornerbacks combined for zero interceptions last year. But, Jamal Dean was a solid CB1 (74.3 PFF grade) who recorded four pass deflections in 13 games played. Opposite of him is Zyon McCollum, who recorded nine deflections of his own. It will be interesting to see how missed Carlton Davis will be.
But, Tampa Bay has two of the best safeties in Antoine Winfield Jr (90.7 PFF grade) and Jordan Whitehead (68.2) in the back holding things down. Winfield was regarded as the best free safety in the league according to Pro Football Focus. Clearly the team’s best defensive player, the 2023 All-Pro received a four-year extension back in March.
The league’s finest. pic.twitter.com/PrqBJ8467C
— Tampa Bay Buccaneers (@Buccaneers) July 22, 2024
Record Prediction: 10-7
The Buccaneers should easily win the NFC South with the lack of competition around them. It’s a matter of how far they’ll make it in the postseason. An appearance in the divisional round isn’t crazy to think about, but that’s as far as I see them going.
The offense should improve from their offensive ranking last year (20th in points per game), while the defense does worry me a bit with the loss of Davis at cornerback. Still, these guys are a top-10 unit.
Make sure to visit Belly Up Sports every week for more NFL content and follow me on Twitter/X! Also, check out me and my co-host Brian Germinaro on the Third and Ten Podcast, available wherever you get your podcasts!
Featured Image: Cliff Welch/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images
