The Buccaneers Have The Best Offensive Talent In The League

ESPN’s Bill Barnwell

ESPN staff writer Bill Barnwell recently came out with a list in which he ranked the League’s offenses. I don’t think it’s any surprise to Buc’s faithful who came in first on Mr. Barnwell’s list. The reigning Super Bowl Champions cruised to the top rank based heavily on their wide receiving corps. Barnwell had this to say about that ultra-talented and forever deep-rostered receivers in Tampa.

“Nobody in the league combines Tampa’s combination of top-level talent and supreme depth. Bruce Arians’ team has a true No. 1 receiver in Mike Evans. The guys behind him are massively overqualified for their roles; it’s an embarrassment of riches to have Chris Godwin as a second wideout and even a limited version of Antonio Brown as the No. 3. Scotty Miller would be a burgeoning starter for some teams; here, he’s a No. 4 who averages 9.5 yards per target. I think the Bucs are as good as it gets for skill-position talent.” 

Wide Receivers

No doubt the Bucs are by a long shot the deepest at Wide Receiver in the entire league. Two studs in Mike Evans and Chris Godwin and speedster Antonio Brown who is still a threat at the three. Then you got the rocket Scotty Miller who is for real and would probably be starting elsewhere.

Now we get to the two wild cards in Tyler Johnson, who is a big playmaker waiting for more time to shine. The second is the rookie Jaelon Darden, early reviews on the rookie North Texas alum hint he could be very special. The Receivers lead the way offensively and they are very, very good and deep beyond belief. I cannot think of another set of receivers, one through six or more, from anytime anywhere in the NFL that is this good. Hats off to Jason Licht!

Tight ends

It’s no secret that the Bucs are also loaded at tight end with eventual Hall of Famer Rob Gronkowski, Cameron Brate, and the often injured but talented O.J. Howard. Could this be Howard’s break-out season in Tampa? Can he get through a season without an injury ending it for him? Nobody has ever doubted Howard’s skillset. It’s why Tampa drafted him, to begin with. Howard can create mismatches galore, and there’s no doubt Tom Brady will make the defense pay when Howard is able to do what he does. Staying on the field to do those things has become his biggest challenge. In my opinion, one more season-ending injury, and you can slap him with the dreaded B-word (Bust).

Back to the point: The tight end position is also a strength.

Running backs and wrapping it up

The running back position when at full strength is formidable as well. It seems there is much difference of opinion as to who the starter should be. Many feel after Leonard Fournette‘s playoff run this past season that Playoff Lenny should lead the way.

In my opinion, there shouldn’t be any doubt that Ronald Jones II is the most talented back on the roster, and not by a little bit either. He solidly is the better player. That’s not to take anything away from Leonard Fournette. He still has a lot of talent to give this team. Jones can take it to the house from anywhere, at any time. He’s that kind of star player. There was a lot made about Jones receiving problems last season. (It should be noted that both Jones and Fournette had 5 drops last year.) I think it was just a down year for both players receiving, and I expect them to improve in that area.

In order to sure up the 3rd down role at running back, the Bucs went out and obtained free agent Giovani Bernard — who is a receiving specialist/3rd down go-to-guy and is expected to improve the passing game with the running backs. One would assume that this move is an attempt to give him a James White type option like he had in Foxboro. Brady and White hooked up 24 times for scores. — Most of any running back he has connected.

Beyond those three veterans, there is the second season unknown out of Vanderbilt. Coaches have only had good things to say concerning Ke’Shawn Vaughn, and he is expected to shine when he gets more playing time. — That may be the 2022 season, as I’m expecting RoJo to be gone with the wind of free agency. It’s hard to argue against Tampa’s starters and depth. 

Watch out! NFL! Weeeeeee’re baaaaaaack! Go Bucs!!