Where Does The Bucs Roster Rank According To PFF?

The Bucs have been receiving a good amount of praise recently.

Quarterback Baker Mayfield moved up eight spots on Pro Football Focus’ league-wide rankings. Lavonte David was named one of the top linebackers in the league by the same site.

And now PFF tries their hand at ranking all 32 rosters.

The Bucs, according to the player rating site, come in 18th overall.

Bucs Secondary Highlighted

Despite general manager Jason Licht trading away Carlton Davis, PFF still thinks the Bucs secondary is one of the strongest parts of the team’s roster.

“The Buccaneers struggled in coverage through their first 10 games in 2023 but turned things around down the stretch. From Week 12 through the end of the season, Tampa Bay earned the third-best coverage grade in the NFL. Antoine Winfield Jr. is the headliner, but they also got nice contributions from young players like Zyon McCollum and Christian Izien.”

Bucs CB Zyon McCollum and LB Lavonte David – Photo by: Cliff Welch/PR

The Bucs reinforced the secondary by signing free agents Tavierre Thomas and Bryce Hall and then further bolstered the unit, drafting defensive back Tykee Smith in the third round of the 2024 NFL Draft. Thomas and Smith will both be in play to try and take Izien’s starting spot at the nickel, while Hall provides a veteran presence with a solid track record when on the field as CB3 on the outside behind McCollum and Jamel Dean.

Dean and McCollum will ultimately decide whether this praise is warranted or not. Both players had up and down seasons in 2023. For McCollum it was promising as that represented a big improvement in play from his rookie season.

For Dean it was a disappointment as he was coming off of a contract extension that showed the Bucs saw him as a top corner in the NFL. His play never quite matched the contract in year one of his veteran deal.

Bucs Rushing Attack Questioned

PFF rightly pointed out that the Bucs rushing offense looks to be their Achilles heel for potentially the third straight season. They listed that part of the roster as Tampa Bay’s biggest weakness.

“Tampa Bay was mostly one-dimensional last season, struggling to run the ball. They finished the year ranked 30th in rushing grade and 29th in run-blocking grade. One area where they could improve is their interior offensive line, where their guards and centers combined for the league’s lowest run-blocking grade.”

No doubt this facet of the Bucs 2023 was a disappointment. In response Licht opted to replace 2/3 of the offensive line and draft a running back known for his ability to gain yards after contact. The Bucs hope the additions of Graham Barton, Bucky Irving, Sua Opeta and Ben Bredeson will help elevate the team’s run game in 2024.

Baker Mayfield Continues To Be The Straw That Stirs The Drink

The article notes that Baker Mayfield is the team’s wildcard and ultimately Tampa Bay will only go as far as Mayfield will lead them, listing Mayfield as the team’s “X-Factor.”

Baker Mayfield didn’t win Comeback Player of the Year last season, but he certainly deserved to. His excellent play late in the year was a huge reason the Buccaneers won their division. Now, he has to prove that he can produce for a second consecutive season after the departure of offensive coordinator Dave Canales. Mayfield’s risky habits will be under the microscope, as only Sam Howell finished 2023 with more turnover-worthy plays.

Graham Barton Highlighted

Bucs C Graham Barton – Photo by: Cliff Welch/PR

Under the “Rookie to Watch” category, PFF noted new center Graham Barton as a key for Tampa Bay in 2024.

First-round selection Graham Barton mostly played left tackle in college but has experience at center and is likely to start there in Year 1. His presence could alleviate the aforementioned struggles from the interior offensive line. His athleticism should be an asset for new offensive coordinator Liam Coen in the run game.

Barton will look to become the latest of many Bucs offensive linemen to move from left tackle in college to play an interior offensive line position in the NFL. Given the importance of the center position for making line calls as well as the struggles the run game had in 2023 t makes sense that he needs to be the most impactful rookie for Tampa Bay to repeat as division champions.

Bucs Not The Top Team In NFC South

With their 18th-ranked roster overall, PFF sees the Bucs as the ninth-most talented roster in the NFC behind the 49ers, Eagles, Lions, Cowboys, Packers, Rams, Falcons and Seahawks. Without factoring in any coaching, schedule or luck, this would likely mean Tampa Bay is left on the outside of the playoff picture looking in with the Falcons winning the NFC South and the Cowboys and Packers nabbing wildcard berths if things play out the way PFF sees it.

But the Bucs have been here before.

Being counted out has become something of a favorite past time for Jason Licht and the Bucs.