Buccaneers Place 6 Players in NFL's Top 100
Tampa Bay Buccaneers general manager Jason Licht has been the model of consistency over the past few seasons, continuously adding key pieces of the roster through his drafts.
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It all came to a head with the franchise's second Super Bowl after the 2020 season with legendary quarterback Tom Brady at the helm.
But recent drafts have been just as kind to Licht and the Bucs, who have placed six players on Pro Football & Sports Network's top 100 ahead of the 2025 season.
No. 29 Tristan Wirfs | OT | Tampa Bay Buccaneers
"Wirfs allowed just 12 pressures all season, ranking fourth among tackles with at least 200 pass-rush snaps, and he didn't surrender a single sack. He also gave up just one quarterback hit (seventh) and 11 hurries (13th), providing a clean pocket for Baker Mayfield and stability for the Buccaneers' high-powered offense.
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Wirfs will miss the start of the 2025 season due to an arthroscopic knee surgery he underwent this offseason. That's a big loss, as the All-Pro is one of the most valuable offensive linemen in the league."
No. 44 YaYa Diaby | EDGE | Tampa Bay Buccaneers
"Diaby started all 17 games for the Buccaneers, recording 54 total tackles, a notable increase from his 38 tackles in 2023. He also posted 13 tackles for loss and 4.5 sacks. Even though his sack numbers dipped in an increased role, he was still effective as a pass rusher.
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"Diaby's 65 pressures ranked seventh among all edge rushers, and his 15.3% pressure rate finished 12th. He also impacted the run game, posting 41 defensive stops (third). He's been highly disruptive in spurts, but Year 3 could be when he puts it all together."
No. 46. Baker Mayfield | QB | Tampa Bay Buccaneers
"Baker Mayfield is coming off the best season of his career, finishing sixth in QB+ on the year. The Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback threw for 4,500 yards (third in NFL) and tied for second with 41 touchdown passes. Mayfield's advanced metrics also pass the test. He posted a 79.2% adjusted completion rate, 8.0 yards per pass attempt, and a +0.187 EPA per dropback, ranking fourth in each category.
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"He had some highs and lows (16 interceptions), but proved the Bucs right for giving him a long-term deal last offseason."
No. 48 Lavonte David | LB | Tampa Bay Buccaneers
"Lavonte David is 35 years old, but he's been one of the league's most consistent inside linebackers throughout his career. He produced another strong showing in 2024, starting all 17 games, and racking up 122 tackles, nine tackles for loss, 5.5 sacks, three forced fumbles, and an interception.
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"David's all-around impact shows up against the pass and the run. His 29 pressures ranked fourth among all linebackers, and he generated 0.46 pressures per snap (third in NFL). He also recorded 57 defensive stops, which ranked seventh."
No. 54 Mike Evans | WR | Tampa Bay Buccaneers
"Evans extended his streak of consecutive 1,000-yard seasons to 11, matching Hall of Famer Jerry Rice. His 2.52 yards per route ranked fifth among all wide receivers, and he posted a strong 63.2% contested catch rate (16th). Evans is heading into his age-32 season, but he's showing no signs of decline.
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"The presence of a healthy Chris Godwin, Jalen McMillan, and rookie Emeka Egbuka may reduce his target share, but his unique role as a high-point specialist and red-zone threat could preserve his top-tier production."
No. 56 Antoine Winfield Jr. | S | Tampa Bay Buccaneers
"Antoine Winfield Jr. put together a phenomenal 2023 campaign, setting career highs across the board and earning his first All-Pro selection. In comparison, his 2024 season was underwhelming. Injuries held him to just nine games, and he finished with 60 tackles, three pass breakups, and zero interceptions."
Related: Is Buccaneers' Baker Mayfield A Top 10 QB?
This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jul 20, 2025, where it first appeared.
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