Bucs Earn “A” Grade from PFF

Pro Football Focus’ Trevor Sikkema just released his grades for all 32 NFL team’s off-seasons. The Bucs received quite a bit of love from the PFF analyst and former Pewter Reporter.

Sikkema graded Tampa Bay’s offseason an “A.”

Only the Detroit Lions received a better grade (A+) than the Bucs.

Sikkema wrote this about the Buccaneers’ offseason: “Tampa Bay managed to re-sign Baker Mayfield, Mike Evans, Lavonte David and Antoine Winfield Jr. this offseason while opting to not re-sign Shaq Barrett and Devin White and trading away Carlton Davis. In other words, they kept who they wanted to keep. The Buccaneers went on to have a very nice draft, which included an instant potential starter in Graham Barton followed by good depth players.”

Sikkema focused the bulk of his analysis on how Tampa Bay managed to hold on to a lot of talent that could have been set to leave. In terms of additions, Bucs general manager Jason Licht worked around the edges bringing in cornerbacks Tavierre Thomas and Bryce Huff along with safety Jordan Whitehead and offensive linemen Sua Opeta and Ben Bredeson.

All of those additions, with the exception of Whitehead, was designed to improve the floor of the Bucs roster while giving the team potential low-end starting options.

Tampa Bay was one of six teams to receive an A grade from PFF, joining Chicago, Cincinnati, Kansas City, Philadelphia and Washington.

Bucs Have Had The Best Offseason Of NFC South

Bucs GM Jason Licht and assistant GM John Spytek – Photo by: Cliff Welch/PR

When comparing the Bucs’ offseason to that of their most direct rivals Sikkema graded the Bucs out the best.

The Saints clocked in with the second-best offseason, earning a B+ grade. Sikkema notes that their top two draft picks, offensive tackle Taliese Fuaga and cornerback Kool-Aid McKinstry, should make an immediate impact, and he thought New Orleans got great value with developmental quarterback Spencer Rattler in the fifth round.

The Panthers got a C+ grade on its report card. Sikkema was high on the hiring of Dave Canales as well as the free agent additions of Jadeveon Clowney, Robert Hunt, Damien Lewis as well as the trade that brought in Diontae Johnson.

He also sees immediate impact from skill position draft picks Xavier Leggette, Jonathon Brooks and Ja’Tavion Sanders. But he was critical of the process that ended with pass rusher Brian Burns leaving town via a trade.

The Falcons got the worst grade of the division as well as the whole league. Without belaboring the point that has become the talk of the post-draft NFL world, Sikkema was critical of the Falcons’ decision to draft quarterback Michael Penix Jr. with the eighth overall pick after handing Kirk Cousins $90 million guaranteed while they had glaring needs on the defensive side of the ball.