PFF Names Bucs’ “Secret Superstar” Of 2023

The Bucks were a surprise team for much of the football world in 2023. Las Vegas has a win total of 6.5, with early odds pegging it as the team least likely to win the NFC South, and many experts expected Tampa Bay to finish in the top 10 or 2024. Top 5 in the draft.

The Bucks didn’t just meet those low expectations, they smashed them. They used their late-season momentum to go from 4-7 at the end of November to 9-8, winning another NFC South title and a home playoff game.

From there, they defeated the Eagles 32-9 in the first round, then had a close game against the Lions in Detroit, but lost 31-23 to end the season. Despite the bitter end to the year, Tampa Bay could reasonably be called one of the surprises of the season.

It took a great deal of individual effort for the Bucs to achieve a three-peat as NFC South champions and form the collective effort necessary to win a playoff game. Everyone will soon be reminded of a season in which quarterback Baker Mayfield, running back Rashard White, wide receivers Mike Evans and Chris Godwin, linebacker Lavonte David, and safety Antwon Winfield Jr. I would list it in

That’s totally fair.

Bucks RB Rathard White and RT Luke Goedeke – Photo courtesy of USA Today

However, in 2023, there was also an unsung hero on the team.

Maybe they weren’t hard work or record-breaking seasons, but in some ways Tampa Bay made the playoffs four years in a row and won the NFC South three times in a row. had to step up. A transition period after Tom Brady retired in February of last year.

Along those lines, Thomas Valentine of Pro Football Focus also said: We recently named one “Hidden Superstar” for each NFL team In 2023. Valentine explained the concept:

“Not all players in the NFL are valued equally, which sometimes allows players who deserve more attention to slip through the cracks. Not everyone can be Patrick Mahomes, TJ Watt, or Justin Jefferson. However, there are players who deserve more attention for their influence on the team – hidden superstars, if you will.

Who is the Bucks’ “hidden superstar” in 2023?

Manager Thomas Valentine named the Bucs’ “hidden superstar” who could be Tampa Bay’s most improved player from 2022 to 2023. That was right tackle Luke Godeke. He shined in his first season back in his natural position upon his return. Struggling to transition to guard during his rookie season.

Here’s what Valentine had to say about the Bucks’ 2022 second-round pick:

Bucs RT Luke Goedeke – Photo by Cliff Welch/PR

“After a tough start to his 2022 NFL career, Luke Goedeke switched from left guard to right tackle, filling the hole left by Tristan Wirfs, who slid across the line to left tackle. It was a big ask. However, Goedeke performed better than expected.

His 72.5 PFF grade was a significant improvement from his 46.7 PFF grade in his rookie season, and Goedeke allowed only a 6.9% pressure rate despite playing every offensive snap in 2023. He was a big surprise, in a good way, as was the Buccaneers. ”

The upgrade Valentine mentioned was actually an improvement in Goedeke’s pass-blocking markings. His overall offensive grade showed a slightly bigger jump, going from 46.7 points in 2022 to 73.4 points in 2023. That includes increasing his run-blocking grade to 70.0 points, up from 47.8 points as a rookie.

The position change was a big help as the former Central Michigan product was better at right tackle than left guard last year. He played at right tackle for the first time in Week 18 of the 2022 season, and had his best game of his rookie season to date, but surpassed it while reverting to guard in a playoff loss to Dallas the following week. .

Either way, Goedeke became the Bucs’ full-time right tackle in 2023. The team moved All-Pro Tristan Wirfs to left tackle. After releasing Donovan Smith in the offseason.A tackle duo consisting of Best friends Wirfs and Goedeke It gives Tampa Bay two bookends to build an offensive line around forward. Add in 2023 second-round pick Cody Mauch, and there are plenty of players to work on for the future.