By Jack McNicholas

May 6, 2020

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers were not the favorite to sign Tom Brady when free agency began. When the free agency frenzy concluded, TB12 was in TB. The 43 year old, six time superbowl champion is obviously the talk of the town. While the Buccaneers did not make too many acquisitions, they made a very important one here. Tom Brady is in win-now mode and all football fans know that he can take this team to the next level. The potential to be one of the highest scoring offenses in the league. Jameis Winston is no longer in town and he was the league leader in passing yards. As well as leading the league with a whopping 30 interceptions. Tom Brady being in town is a huge upgrade for the team. Brady is one of the most efficient passers in the past two decades. As they have more work to do if they want to compete in a division with the Saints and the Falcons who have made vast improvements this year. The Buccaneers are a team to be excited about for many reasons looking toward 2020.

This offense will have receiving threats everywhere. Wide Receivers Mike Evans and Chris Godwin were integral to the passing game last season.The two were the receiving tandem of the season. Evans caught 67 passes for 1157 yards and eight touchdowns. Godwin had a breakout season last year. With 87 catches, 1333 yards and nine touchdowns. The two will cause problems for opposing defenses. If that is not enough to fill your cup. The team also traded for Rob Gronkowski who will return after retiring prior to the 2019 season. Reunited with Brady it seems as though Gronk is comfortable for playing outside of a Bill Belichick run team. Bruce Arians is less strict than Belichick to some fans but he truly pushes his players to play to the highest level. Gronkowski will have some of the load taken off by OJ Howard. If anyone knows how to run a two tight end offense it’s Tom Brady. Now his favorite target and long time friend Gronkowski is with him. This offense could change its identity week by week.

Drafting was key for the Buccaneers and they had many holes to fill. With the first round selection they selected Tristan Wirfs out of Iowa. Iowa is known for its large amount of production from its offensive line prospects. The Buccaneers had positions of need but knew they had to prioritize keeping their new 43 year old quarterback upright throughout the season. Tom Brady needs the best protection possible for this offense to reach its true potential. In the second round the team was able to get Antoine Winfield Jr. from Minnesota which helps them in the secondary but they needed to address their lack of cornerbacks. Winfield Jr. is going to develop but does not immediately impact the team due to the lack of talent around him. 

Tampa’s defensive line is alluring. Vita Vea is coming into his own as a run stopper. Tampa Bay re-signed Ndamaukong Suh and Jason Pierre Paul to one year deals. This solidifies their defensive front. Shaquil Barrett had a league high 19 sacks last season and they placed the franchise tag on him. Which will pay him 15.8 million dollars next year. Although the one year deals can be shocking Tampa prioritized its cap space in the budget to pay for Brady. Barrett could be a flash in the pan, or he could be up for a large extension if he can post double digit sacks once again. This defensive front will need to help the secondary as the cornerbacks and safeties currently on the roster are very underwhelming. 

Tampa needed to prioritize they defensive secondary as they have many holes to fill. Highest experienced corner on the team is Carlton Davis who is currently ranked #126 in the league. That does not bode well for this front seven as they have the potential to give up alot of passing yardage. While there are bright spots on the defense such as their linebacking core. Levonte David and second year Devin White make up the anchors of this second level of defense. David is a former first team All-Pro selection and will need to play to that level this season. The secondary is worrisome as it can be looked at as the only potential weak point of this defense.