Rankings the Bucs offensive groups from best to worst ahead of training camp

USA Today

6 days ago

While Tampa finished as one of the NFC's most efficient offenses in 2024, its success this year may hinge on which position groups elevate or regress. Here's a full breakdown of the Bucs' offensive position groups, ranked from best to worst heading into training camp.
Wide Receiver
The wide receiver room is without question the most complete and talented unit on Tampa Bay's offense. Mike Evans remains the centerpiece, fresh off his 11th consecutive 1,000-yard season, and continues to be a matchup nightmare on the outside. Chris Godwin Jr, assuming full recovery from his late-season ankle injury, remains one of the league's most dependable slot receivers. What pushes this group to the top is its depth and potential. First-round pick Emeka Egbuka adds immediate polish and route-running precision, while Jalen McMillan and veteran Sterling Shepard round out a strong rotation.
The Buccaneers can run three and four-receiver sets without a significant drop-off, giving them versatility in both vertical and underneath passing concepts.
Running Back
Tampa Bay's backfield has quietly become one of its most dynamic units. Bucky Irving burst onto the scene as a rookie last year, racking up over 1,100 rushing yards and leading all NFL backs in missed tackles forced per carry. His shiftiness and vision made him an explosive every-down option. Complementing him is Rachaad White, who remains one of the better pass-catching running backs in the NFC. Together, they form a thunder-and-lightning pairing that offers balance, pass protection, and third-down utility.
Behind them, Sean Tucker adds upside. With both explosiveness and versatility, this group has top-tier potential.
Offensive Line
The Buccaneers' offensive line is anchored by All-Pro left tackle Tristan Wirfs, who allowed just one sack all of 2024. He remains one of the NFL's premier blindside protectors. On the right side, Luke Goedeke continues to improve in pass sets and run support, while Cody Mauch showed noticeable growth at right guard.In the middle, second-year center Graham Barton brings stability and leadership, while veteran Ben Bredeson provides solid play at left guard. This group may lack Pro Bowl names beyond Wirfs, but the cohesion and versatility across all five positions make them a reliable and above-average unit.
Although Wirfs is set to miss the start of the season after knee surgery, continuity on the line still has the Bucs line as one of the best in the league.
Tight End
The tight end room lacks elite star power but remains serviceable and well-rounded. Cade Otton is the clear TE1, showing growth as both a receiver and blocker. He's coming off a 59-catch, 600-yard season and is one of Baker Mayfield's favorite security blankets. Behind Otton, Payne Durham, Ko Kieft, and rookie Devin Culp offer complementary skill sets ranging from red-zone utility to motion-blocking and vertical mismatches. They're functional in both the run and pass games, and their depth gives the Bucs flexibility in two-tight end sets. However, I haven't seen enough to rank them higher, although the raw potential is there.
Quarterback
Baker Mayfield is coming off a career-best season, throwing for 4,500 yards and 41 touchdowns while posting a completion rate above 70%. His command of the offense and leadership helped guide the Bucs to another playoff run and solidified his role as the long-term starter. That said, the quarterback room as a whole lacks depth. Kyle Trask has yet to prove himself capable of leading a full NFL offense, and Michael Pratt, while promising, is unproven at the pro level. The drop off from Mayfield to either backup is steep, which puts this group at the bottom of the list despite a strong QB1.