Team Profile
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
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15.4% 6thOff DVOA
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31.9% 8thPassing DVOA
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8.9% 5thRushing DVOA
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1.5% 17thDef DVOA
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10.1% 17thDef Passing DVOA
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-11.8% 11thDef Rushing DVOA
2024 Team Stats
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Points For27.9 4th
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Points Against26.6 28th
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Yards Per Game362.0 8th
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Yards Allowed Per Game389.0 31st
Tampa Bay Buccaneers tight end Cade Otton impressed during practice on Tuesday. According to Bailey Adams of Pewter Report, Otton "was arguably the offensive player of the day" as he made a sideline catch in 11-on-11s and shortly after showed off a one-handed grab down the field. He was one of Baker Mayfield's most targeted and trusted pass-catchers, perhaps offering a glimpse into what the 2024 season could look like. The 25-year-old tight end is looking to build on a campaign in which he caught 47 passes for 455 yards and four touchdowns. He's the top tight end in Tampa Bay, and although he'll lose plenty of volume to Mike Evans, Chris Godwin, and Rachaad White, he' still a mid-range TE2 for fantasy purposes.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers running back Bucky Irving recently received praise from the team's offensive coordinator Liam Coen. The organization seems excited about Irving's speed and his ability to make people miss in space. The fourth-round pick should work his way into the mix early given the Bucs lack of depth at the position. Irving could be an interesting change-of-pace option for the Bucs this season. Rachaad White remains the lead back, but having someone like Irving on the roster should help ease White's workload.
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers agreed to terms with veteran free-agent wide receiver Sterling Shepard on an undisclosed one-year deal on Thursday, according to a source. After eight seasons with the New York Giants after he was drafted in the second round in 2016 out of Oklahoma, Shepard will reunite with former Sooners quarterback Baker Mayfield. The 31-year-old veteran pass-catcher played in 15 games (two starts) in 2023, but he was on the field for a combined 10 games in 2021 and 2022 due to serious injuries, which have sapped his fantasy value heading into 2024. He caught 10 of his 22 targets in a limited role with New York last year for just 57 yards and a touchdown. With better health, Shepard could find himself with a bigger role, but he'll merely be competing for a depth role behind Mike Evans, Chris Godwin and Trey Palmer.
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers signed former Seattle Seahawks wide receiver Cody Thompson on Wednesday to help replace Deven Thompkins (hamstring), who was placed on Injured Reserve this week. Thompson will be competing for a roster spot at training camp this summer and during the preseason after catching his only target for 10 yards in seven games played for the Seahawks in his second season in the NFL. The 28-year-old pass-catcher joined the Seahawks as an undrafted free agent out of Toledo in 2021 and was active for five games, but he didn't see a single target. Even if Thompson makes the roster heading into the 2024 regular season, he'll be buried on the receiver depth chart and is completely off the fantasy radar.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers wide receiver Jalen McMillan signed his rookie contract on Wednesday, according to NFL.com. The Washington alum was selected in the third round of the 2024 NFL Draft and is set to compete with 2023 sixth-round pick Trey Palmer for the No. 3 WR role behind Mike Evans and Chris Godwin. While sharing a field with Rome Odunze and Ja'Lynn Polk, McMillan caught 124 passes for 1,657 yards and 14 touchdowns over his final two collegiate seasons. He outproduced Polk in 2022 but regressed and became the No. 3 receiver in 2023. Regardless, the 22-year-old flashed upside and earned Day 2 draft capital, so he could be a fantasy football sleeper at some point in his career. For now, he has limited upside in a crowded wide receiver group.