Team Profile
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
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6.5% 13thOff DVOA
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53.9% 5thPassing DVOA
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-35.6% 29thRushing DVOA
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-2% 13thDef DVOA
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-1.2% 13thDef Passing DVOA
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-3.2% 18thDef Rushing DVOA
2024 Team Stats
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Points For28.5 4th
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Points Against18.0 7th
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Yards Per Game304.0 19th
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Yards Allowed Per Game381.0 28th
According to Tampa Bay Buccaneers head coach Todd Bowles, wide receiver Mike Evans arrived at training camp in "great shape." "Mike came back in great shape, just like he did a year ago," said Bowles. "He's a professional. He loves to play the game. He knows what time it is. He knows how to come back and do things the right way." The 30-year-old has spent his entire career with the Bucs since entering the National Football League as the No. 7 overall pick in 2014. He's had some potent seasons along the way. However, Evans is coming off one of the best seasons of his career, finishing the 2023-24 campaign by amassing 1,255 yards and 13 touchdowns off 79 catches. With Evans and Baker Mayfield continuing to build chemistry, the former may be in store for another stellar season despite being in the league for over a decade.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers wide receiver Chris Godwin already appears to be in midseason form, according to his teammate Mike Evans. "He's going to have a great year," said Evans. "He looks like he's in midseason form. He's making plays, going deep, looks like the 2019 Chris Godwin. He's always been an unbelievable player and leader for us, and I expect no different this year." The 2017 No. 84 overall pick had the best year of his career in 2019, amassing 1,333 yards and nine touchdowns off 86 catches. However, his trips to the end zone have declined since then despite getting more targets than ever. With that said, there are plans to use Godwin more in the slot, and his rapport with Baker Mayfield continues to improve. As a result, a comeback year for Godwin could easily be on the horizon, assuming he remains healthy.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Baker Mayfield exceeded all expectations in his first season with the organization. The former No. 1 overall pick in the 2018 NFL Draft entered last year's training camp in a battle with Kyle Trask for the starting job, and he ultimately won it with ease. Mayfield passes for 4,044 yards, 28 touchdowns, and 10 interceptions in 2023, and more importantly, he led the team to a division crown and a Wild Card victory over the Philadelphia Eagles. Heading into 2024, the franchise is even more comfortable with him leading the offense. "He has to run the offense -- we talked about this, as far as getting the ball out where he needs to get the ball out and understanding the offense and making the correct checks," head coach Todd Bowles said. "I think he's taken it upon his shoulders. He came back in great shape and we expect him to do that. There's a lot more stability there than there was last year." The 29-year-old has limited fantasy upside since he doesn't do much as a runner, but the pass-catching group of Mike Evans, Chris Godwin, Jalen McMillan, Trey Palmer, Rachaad White, and Cade Otton sets him up to post at least a few QB1 weeks in favorable matchups. He also has strong job security after signing a three-year, $100 million deal this offseason.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers running back Rachaad White posted 990 rushing yards last season, the highest rushing total for a Buccaneer since Doug Martin in 2015 (1,402). Heading into Year 3, White aims to go "well above" the 1,000-yard mark on the ground. "Obviously, my goal is to do whatever I can to help the team win," White said. "We've been last, or 25th to last the past five or six years when it comes to rushing, Tampa Bay has been down bad. My goal, and what I expect me to do, is turn that around." The Buccaneers lost offensive coordinator Dave Canales this offseason, so it will be interesting to see the offensive identity under Liam Cohen. The team selected fourth-round rookie Bucky Irving in the 2024 NFL Draft, but White should remain the clear RB1 and could continue to receive a healthy opportunity share. If he keeps a workhorse role, another top-10 fantasy football season is well within reach.
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers have said they plan to use wide receiver Chris Godwin more in the slot in 2024 after shifting him outside last year with an eye on avoiding injuries. It's the same role Cooper Kupp had with the Los Angeles Rams when Liam Coen was running the offense in LA. Godwin did manage to stay healthy last year, and in so doing he posted his third straight 1,000-yard season with 83 receptions on 130 targets, although he disappointed by scoring just two touchdowns in 17 starts. The 28-year-old has been more effective in his career while operating out of the slot and he'll have continuity at quarterback with Baker Mayfield re-signing this offseason. Injuries are always a concern when it comes to Godwin, but with a move back to the slot in 2024, he'll certainly be an attractive fantasy selection as a low-end WR3/high-end WR4/flex this fall.