Team Profile
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
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12.8% 7thOff DVOA
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34.5% 5thPassing DVOA
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2% 8thRushing DVOA
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1.2% 16thDef DVOA
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12.4% 23rdDef Passing DVOA
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-18.2% 6thDef Rushing DVOA
2024 Team Stats
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Points For29.5 4th
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Points Against22.6 16th
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Yards Per Game400.0 3rd
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Yards Allowed Per Game342.0 17th
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.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers head coach Todd Bowles recognized tight end Cade Otton for his durability and willingness to learn multiple systems, according to Luke Easterling of Bucs Wire. "His durability has been outstanding," Bowles recently said. "We've called on him a lot as a rookie. It's hard to believe he's only a third-year guy coming up. His durability has been outstanding and he's had different coordinators each year, so his ability to adapt and learn, He's had different coaches, it's not like he's had the same position coach or had the same offensive coordinator. So, to learn different things and tweak his game to fit what we needed him to do is outstanding." 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 quarterback Baker Mayfield showed significant progress during mandatory minicamp as he learns new offensive coordinator Liam Coen's scheme. It helps that Mayfield has a good amount of continuity among the team's offensive personnel, from his supporting cast of skill-position players to most of the offensive line. "He has a lot more audibles on his plate than he did in the past and he's getting them down very [well]," head coach Todd Bowles said of Mayfield. The 29-year-old Mayfield had a career year under Dave Canales, now the head coach of the Panthers, in 2023. Mayfield has plenty of playmakers around him and is great at pushing the ball downfield, but his lack of rushing upside pushes him down to low-end QB2 territory in fantasy as he looks for an encore in Tampa in 2024.