The gathering of expertise that the Bucs have put collectively has stored them aggressive throughout their present run. With the offense catapulting right into a prime 4 unit within the league and being the driving power of the workforce, it’s no shock that a number of Bucs on that aspect of the ball have been discovered as a few of greatest gamers within the 2024 season.
Professional Soccer Focus got here out with an inventory of the highest 101 gamers from this newest season. It was compiled by Mason Cameron, Dalton Wasserman and Max Chadwick from the positioning. 4 Bucs occurred to make the listing and to the shock of no one, it was all offensive gamers for Tampa Bay.
To preface the reasoning, their total listing relies on performances simply from the 2024 season and postseason, and never primarily based on what gamers have completed total of their profession or what their future potential may very well be.
Bucs Nicely Represented On Offense
Making the PFF Prime 101 listing for the Bucs was quarterback Baker Mayfield, large receiver Mike Evans, operating again Bucky Irving and left deal with Tristan Wirfs. Mayfield, Evans and Irving have been all bunched collectively intently with Mayfield and Evans coming in back-to-back at No. 63 and No. 62 barely behind Irving at No. 58. Wirfs had the perfect rating of the entire group at No. 22 and was the third-highest deal with rated and second-highest left deal with, trailing Eagles proper deal with Lane Johnson at No. 18 and their left deal with Jordan Mailata in at No. 3.
Mayfield statistically had the perfect yr of his profession with 4,500 passing yards and 41 landing passes. He had signed a three-year $100 million contract the offseason prior and has lived as much as the billing. That is what PFF mentioned about him and the remainder of his teammates.
Bucs WR Mike Evans – Photograph by: USA At present
“Under yet another new offensive play caller, Mayfield earned an 85.9 overall grade this season, which represents a new career-high for him and ranked him sixth in the NFL. Including the postseason, his 43 passing touchdowns tied him for second-most in the league. His signature performance came in Week 18 with an NFC South title on the line, as he posted a career-best 94.8 overall grade.”
Evans made historical past as soon as once more tying Jerry Rice for essentially the most consecutive 1,000-yard seasons with 11. He was tied for fourth within the NFL with 11 landing receptions and will have produced much more had he not missed three video games.
“Evans crossed the 1,000-yard threshold for the 11th consecutive season, though it wouldn’t have been so close had he not missed three games due to injury. When he did play, he was outstanding as usual. His 90.2 receiving grade ranked him fourth among qualified wide receivers and represents the second-highest mark of his career.”
Irving made the all-rookie workforce and was a sensation for Tampa Bay. The Bucs’ operating sport has by no means appeared higher with him main it.
“Arguably the biggest surprise from the 2024 draft class, Irving was phenomenal in his rookie season. The fourth-round pick from Oregon was the only back in the league who posted 90.0-plus PFF grades both as a runner and as a receiver. His 90.8 overall grade was fourth in the league among running backs as well.”
Bucs RT Tristan Wirfs and Eagles LB Zach Baun – Photograph by: Cliff Welch/PR
“Despite finishing with the 10th most catches among tailbacks (47), Irving broke the second-most tackles after the catch (20). That elite contact balance translated over to his rushing ability as well, as he led the league with four yards after contact per attempt.”
Wirfs made first-team All-Professional at left deal with and in addition made historical past. He turned the primary offensive deal with within the NFL to have first-team All-Professional honors with no consideration deal with and a left deal with. This was solely his second season over at left deal with and he simply continues to get higher.
“In today’s NFL, a tackle’s most valuable trait is the ability to withstand the relentless pressure packages deployed by modern defenses and keep their quarterback clean. Wirfs exemplified that skill in 2024, earning a league-best 94.1 PFF pass-blocking grade. Not only did that lead all tackles this season, but it also ranks as the second-highest ever recorded at the position in the PFF era (since 2006).”
Any Future Bucs Gamers That May Make PFF’s Prime 101 Checklist?
There are such a lot of gamers to have a look at the over course of a season, so even developing with this listing is commendable by Professional Soccer Focus. If I have been to nitpick and foyer for one more Bucs participant, Professional Bowl nostril deal with Vita Vea could have a case.
Commanders QB Jayden Daniels and Bucs DT Calijah Kancey – Photograph by: USA At present
The Bucs are actually in a great spot to have every participant on the 2024 listing make it once more for 2025 with a few extra additions. Vea is all the time within the combine and fellow defensive deal with Calijah Kancey, who led the Bucs with 7.5 sacks, may very nicely be added if he is ready to start the season wholesome and play a full yr.
Security Antoine Winfield Jr, who was an All-Professional final season, ought to actually regain his type if he as nicely can keep away from damage.
Lastly, though he’s presently not on the workforce in the mean time, if large receiver Chris Godwin returns to Tampa Bay, he has an excellent shot at being a prime 101 gamers. At one level, Godwin was third within the league in receiving yards earlier than his season ending damage in Week 7. His stats have been higher than Mike Evans on the time and he’ll be the driving power of the passing sport once more if he’s re-signed as anticipated.
With all of this expertise, the Bucs are poised to contend for one more NFC South championship in 2025 and maybe will contend for the Tremendous Bowl this season.
