Earlier this month, ESPN We evaluated and analyzed the Buccaneers’ offseason.We looked at some of the moves Tampa Bay has made to improve on a 9-8 season in which they won their third consecutive NFC South title.
team is Unexpected praise According to a national media outlet, A recent ESPN+ article (subscription required) ranked each roster. And they don’t rate the Buccaneers all that highly. NFL analysts Mike Clay, Aaron Schatz and Seth Walder each took an in-depth look at the Buccaneers’ strengths, weaknesses, X-factors and notable non-starters heading into this season.
What are the Buccaneers’ biggest strengths and weaknesses?
Heading into the 2024 season, the Buccaneers are ranked 22nd in ESPN’s overall rankings, behind only the Falcons and Saints, who are ranked 19th and 20th, respectively. Mike Clay looked at Tampa Bay’s roster and started by identifying the team’s biggest strengths and weaknesses, both of which are on the defensive side of the ball.
Buccaneers shortstop Jordan Whitehead and Antoine Winfield Jr. – Photo: Cliff Welch/PR
Greatest StrengthSafeties. The centerpiece of this group is 2023 First-Team All-Pro Antoine Winfield Jr., who became the highest-paid defensive back in league history in March. Old friend Jordan Whitehead returns for his second Buccaneers tour after playing more than 1,000 snaps each of the past two seasons with the Jets. Tampa Bay added depth by acquiring Tykee Smith in the third round of April’s draft.
Biggest Weakness: Edge rusher. I was torn between an edge rusher or an offensive lineman, but the departure of Shaquill Barrett (45.0 sacks in five seasons) leans my decision toward the former. Tampa Bay will look to some combination of Yaya Diaby, rookie Randy Gregory, second-round pick Chris Braswell, former first-round pick Joe Tryon Soyinka and Anthony Nelson for the core at the position. None of these veterans have played more than half the team’s snaps in 2023. That’s a tough situation for a team that finished 22nd in pass rush win percentage last season.
There’s no doubt that the safety room has improved dramatically over the offseason, and while Winfield’s presence would be a plus for any team, the additions of Whitehead and Smith should help take some of the pressure off Winfield on the back end, as they provide the strong safety with more coverage and playmaking support than Ryan Neal did.
Recent Topics Pewter Report Podcast We’ve discussed how well-rounded this position group is, but Clay makes a further point:
Buccaneers OLB Chris Braswell – Photo: Cliff Welch/PR
But on the other hand, the focus heading into this season is on edge rusher, and after losing Barrett, head coach Todd Bowles will be looking to find a consistent pass rusher in the rotation unless someone emerges from the group to pair with Diaby.
However, with the need to rely on both youth and experience, with the starting left guard position open and relative uncertainty about the level of play the team will receive from both the center and right guard positions, I would argue that the interior offensive line remains a bigger weakness than the outside linebacker.
Clay has talked a lot about the team’s depth at the position, but the additions of Marquise Watts and Jose Ramirez are also important to consider, and even though they don’t have a top pass rusher, they do have players who could be maximized in rotational roles.
What is the Buccaneers’ X-factor?
Now that the Buccaneers’ biggest strengths and weaknesses have been laid out, Seth Walder begins to look at this year’s team’s biggest X-factors, the factors that will play a major role in Tampa Bay’s level of success.
Buccaneers C Graham Barton and RG Cody Mauck – Photo: Cliff Welch/PR
The X-Factor of 2024Offensive Line. Outside of Tristan Wirfs, the entire line is a question mark or concern. Cody Mouch was last among guards in pass-block win percentage (85%) last season, and Ben Bredeson (88%) wasn’t much better for the Giants. Luke Goedeke (86%) was below average among tackles, and Graham Burton is a rookie. This group may be the deciding factor for QB Baker Mayfield to replicate his 2023 performance.
As Walder explained, there are some concerns about the room on the offensive line, but there is also some optimism: Wirfs, Mauch and Goedeke should all improve their level of play with another year at their positions, and playing in a similar system under offensive coordinator Liam Cohen will provide some much-needed continuity.
Barton should revitalize the offensive line and could step in and become a high-level starter right away or at least an upgrade over Robert Hainsey, and if Mayfield has any chance to replicate last season’s success, it’s this group that will be counted on to make it happen.
Can this Buccaneers DB still make an impact in 2024?
Buccaneers DB Christian Izien – Photo Credit: USA Today
With so much coverage outlining and explaining the Buccaneers’ rankings, Aaron Schatz named defensive back Christian Izien as a player to watch heading into the season, and while he’s not guaranteed a starting spot at this point, he could very well have an impact on the entire secondary.
Not worth knowing: Safety Christian Izien. Nominally a safety, Izien spent most of his rookie season as Tampa Bay’s nickelback. Though he was targeted more than other nickelbacks, his charting metrics were decent, including an above-average coverage DVOA of minus-4.2%. What will his role be this season? Backup cornerback? Backup safety? Or some combination of the two?
Idienne played in all 17 games last season and was an unheralded but valuable contributor.
He recorded 65 total tackles, two interceptions and one forced fumble, but more than that, the undrafted free agent defended the nickelback position without causing Todd Bowles too much concern. Though he’ll need to find consistency, Izien has the potential to again serve as a nickelback or as a cornerback/safety in Bowles’ defense.
Tykee Smith’s lineup will factor heavily into this calculation, but Izien is expected to remain involved and see the field in some capacity.
