Tampa Bay Buccaneers DVOA, Stats, & NFL Rankings

Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Kyle Trask has been named the starter for Saturday's preseason opener against the Cincinnati Bengals. Head coach Todd Bowles mentioned that a majority of the starters including Baker Mayfield will be resting in the opener. That being said, Trask will start the game and is expected to be followed by third-string quarterback John Wolford. Last season, Trask and Mayfield were having a competition for the starting gig in Tampa Bay. That won't be the case this time around as Trask will compete with Wolford for the backup spot on the roster.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers tight end Cade Otton could be utilized differently under new offensive coordinator Liam Coen. This new system is reportedly going to have a bunch of shifts and motions to bait defenses. It's structured to give playmakers space and create advantages in matchups. Otton praised this scheme and said it allows players to do what they do best. It sounds like this new system gives players some freedom which could be a good thing for the Bucs offense. Otton has 89 receptions for 846 yards and six touchdowns through his first two seasons in Tampa Bay. Possibly, this new scheme will help Otton improve his game and find new ways of getting open and making plays.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers wide receiver Jalen McMillan has been making a compelling case for the WR3 position, showing significant promise during training camp. Selected 92nd overall in the third round of the 2024 NFL Draft, McMillan, a former standout for the Washington Huskies, has garnered praise from quarterback Baker Mayfield, who noted, "What people don't realize, he was their (Washington's) leading guy in '22 before he got hurt. And so, for him to get back to true form -- he's a stud." Despite leading the Huskies in targets and catches in 2022, a knee injury in his final season limited him to 45 catches for 559 yards and five touchdowns, likely contributing to his fall to the third round. He led the Washington Huskies in targets and catches in 2022 despite playing with future 1st and 2nd round picks. With Mike Evans and Chris Godwin ahead of him on the depth chart, McMillan may struggle to secure a substantial target share but could still deliver valuable fantasy weeks as a perimeter receiver. If he secures the WR3 role, he becomes a more intriguing option, particularly in best-ball leagues.

The New Orleans Saints have signed wide receiver Marquez Callaway to a one-year deal. This is far from a blockbuster move, but the addition of Callaway does give the Saints depth at wideout. Most notably, Callaway hauled in 46 receptions for 698 yards and six touchdowns during the 2021 season. Since then, Callaway has been quiet with only 16 total receptions over the last two seasons. He should slot into the back end of the wide receiver depth chart which means Callaway is unlikely to have any kind of fantasy value.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers wide receiver Jalen McMillan continues to draw positive reviews out of training camp, this time coming directly from quarterback Baker Mayfield and head coach Todd Bowles. The third-round pick out of Washington saw his draft stock take a hit following a 559-yard season in 2023, but he has exceeded expectations early in his career. "He's a guy that runs so smooth," Mayfield said. "He does some things at the top of his routes -- he's so friendly to the ball -- that veterans do." Bowles, who doesn't go out of his way to sugarcoat statements, echoed these statements. "He's a good football player. Since he's come in, he's making plays since Day 1," said Bowles. "He wants to be good, he wants to learn, and the receiving group loves him." These quotes are a great sign for McMillan's potential role as a rookie, but he could still have trouble becoming a fantasy-relevant option in 2024 while competing with Mike Evans and Chris Godwin for targets. Still, he's an intriguing best-ball option and late-round flier in deeper fantasy football setups.