The Bucks have played nine games this season, giving us a good enough sample size to determine which is a true hot start. Two players in particular stood out with their strong play and are expected to be cornerstones for the future.
Pro Football Focus (PFF) recently ended Top grade surprise player for each NFL team.
You might be surprised by who Tampa Bay selects.
CB Zion McCollum becomes Bucks’ highest-ranked player
Bucks CB Zion McCollum – Photo by Cliff Welch P/R
Entering this season, Zion McCollum took over starting cornerback duties, and most expected him to look better than he did in his first two seasons. But no one expected this to happen.
His PFF grade of 86.9 is the best of any Bucs player on the team and the best of 108 cornerbacks ranked league-wide.
McCollum has developed from a promising cornerback with the tools to an elite shutdown cornerback who shows off his tools every game. Earlier this year, he said: change in mindset We appreciate his continued improvement on the field.
This is what PFF had to say about McCollum’s meteoric rise.
Considering his first two seasons, McCollum’s play in 2024 would have been completely unexpected. The 25-year-old averaged 46.3 and 50.4 points overall in his first two years, but he skyrocketed to 86.9 points, the highest among cornerbacks. McCollum’s coverage grade of 88.2 ranks fifth among eligible defenders.
After failing to record an interception in his first two seasons, he has two interceptions in nine games this year. He already has a career-high in passes defensed (10) and is on track to hit a career-high 85 with 45 total tackles.
His elite play has been a saving grace for the Bucks’ defense, which ranks at the bottom of the league in most categories. McCollum stepping up this season was especially key considering Jamel Dean has once again assumed the CB1 role while dealing with injury issues.
RB Bucky Irving was the Bucks’ biggest surprise.
Bucks RB Bucky Irving – Photo courtesy of USA Today
Third-year running back Rathard White is expected to get the most playing time in the backfield this year, with Bucky Irving replacing him as a change of pace. However, as of midseason, Irving has surpassed White as the team’s leading rusher. considerable margin.
Until recently, the carry split between the two was almost even, 50/50. Over the past two games, the fourth-round rookie has had the most receiving carries, with 10 receptions in the same time frame after just 13 receptions in the first seven games. It’s safe to say that Irving has become a more important part of offensive coordinator Liam Cohen’s plans.
In doing so, he is an efficient runner and PFF is a fan of his work thus far.
The Buccaneers had some uncertainty at the team’s running back position, but Irving helped turn the team into a three-headed monster. The Oregon product posted an overall grade of 82.5, including a rushing mark of 80.0 and a receiving grade of 84.8. Irving’s receiving performance is third-best among eligible running backs.
“I did that in college,” Irving said this week about his receiving skills being utilized. “That’s what they brought me here to catch and defend the ball out of the backfield.” [the quarterback]and run the football. ”
Irving is a big reason why the Bucs’ run game ranked last in the league in both 2022 and 2023, but they made a breakthrough in 2024 and currently rank in the top half of the NFL. .
