Where Are The Bucs In The “Way Too Early” Power Rankings?

Is there ever a bad time to give out power rankings? Well, it’s certainly tougher to make a proper list when free agency and the draft is right around the corner. That certainly impacts the Bucs more than most teams this year.

Nonetheless, ESPN came out with a “Way Too Early” NFL power rankings for all 32 teams with each team reporter giving their analysis heading into next season. Coming smack dab in the middle of the pack, the Bucs are ranked 16th in the league, which is a ton better than the expectations were of them a season.

ESPN’s Rankings For Bucs

This is what ESPN’s Jenna Laine had to say about Tampa Bay heading into 2024.

Bucs ILB Lavonte David – Photo by: USA Today

Offensive coordinator Dave Canales took the Panthers’ head-coaching job, and WR Mike Evans and QB Baker Mayfield are set to become unrestricted free agents, so it was imperative that the Bucs found a new offensive coordinator who could build off what Canales installed in Tampa and do so without too much change. Liam Coen brings not only that but also a previous working relationship with Mayfield from when the two were with the Rams. Both are very high on each other, and with Evans, Canales’ system is one he liked.

So now it’s really about dollars and cents in re-signing two of the Bucs’ key offensive players, in addition to safety Antoine Winfield Jr. (their top defensive player last season) and inside linebacker Lavonte David.

It’s all very true that much of next season for the Bucs depends on if they can get the core four of Mayfield, Evans, Winfield and David back. Another is how quickly the offense can respond to new offensive coordinator Liam Coen, who is bringing in a similar style of offense that the team has worked with.

The path to the playoffs for the Bucs can be much quicker and beneficial should they win the NFC South again. Tampa Bay actually has the best ranking among their division, followed by the Saints at 22, Falcons at 26 and the Panthers last coming in 32nd. Once again the NFC South doesn’t look too formidable, but some new coaches all around could make it more difficult than previously.

Bucs FS Antoine WInfield Jr. and Falcons QB Desmond Ridder – Photo by: USA Today

NFC South Rankings Bottom Out Again

What was very important for the Bucs taking the crown in the NFC South was going 4-2 in the division. They swept the Panthers and split with the Saints and Falcons. It was important that they got the early tiebreaker against New Orleans early in the season, and were able to avenge a loss to Atlanta by beating them on the round later in the year to move ahead.

It’ll take moments like that to win it again. Having their best free agents return to Tampa can go a long way in solidifying those goals.

Expectations will certainly be higher for the Bucs, but that’s not so bad. Tampa Bay aren’t Super Bowl contenders just yet, however if they were to make a deep playoff run again to combine with an overall young group, they might just be able to compete with the league’s best in the big game sooner rather than later.

Check out ESPN’s list for the rankings of each team in the NFL.