Grading Buccaneers Position Groups Through Week 5

A Season Full of Surprises for the Buccaneers

After an improbable loss against the Falcons on Thursday night football, the Buccaneers move to 3-2 on the season. The team has already seen significant highs and lows over the quarter of the season, and this is when your strengths and weaknesses become clear. With that being said, let’s take a look into how each position group grades out for the Buccaneers.

 

Buccaneers Offense:

Quarterback: A –

Baker Mayfield has been proving he was more than worthy of the contract he signed this offseason. He is currently top 10 in passing yards and QBR, along with having 13 total touchdowns with only 2 interceptions. Even in this past week’s loss, not much blame could have been put on Mayfield as he accounted for over 200 all-purpose yards with three touchdowns and no fumbles. He had put them in a perfect position to win before some unlikely events took place. Overall, Baker is on pace for possibly the best season of his career and is a key piece in the Buccaneers’ contention for the NFC South.

 

Running Back: B

The rushing attack for the Buccaneers has been a much-needed improvement from last year. This is much to the help of rookie Bucky Irving. Irving currently leads the team in rushing yards and touchdowns, averaging 5.6 yards per carry. He is set to get the start in week 6, with Rachaad White doubtful. White (who is currently dealing with a foot injury) has also been an impactful contributor at RB, not only rushing but receiving out of the backfield as well. White has 17 receptions for 127 yards through the air as of week five. The combination of these two makes for a very solid backfield going forward.

 

Wide Receiver: A+

The Buccaneers have had arguably the best WR core in the league this season. For a few years now, Mike Evans and Chris Godwin have been widely known as a top duo in the league, and that has been no different this year. Chris Godwin has been dominating from his return role in the slot, and Evans has once again been elite out wide.

At the WR3 position, the team has been dealing with many injuries, but no matter what, they keep getting solid production. First, it was the rookie Jalen McMillan before his hamstring injury. Then it was Trey Palmer, who was unfortunately sidelined with a concussion. And right now, it’s Baker Mayfield’s former Sooner teammate Sterling Shepard. No matter who of these three is on the field, they are always making the most out of their opportunity.

 

Tight End: C

Cade Otton has been the primary target at TE this season, so far logging 17 receptions for 148 yards with no touchdowns. However, when it comes to blocking, Otton has had his fair share of struggles in the past. This season, he has shown improvement in that category, but he is still not great.

Outside of Otton, Payne Durham and Ko Kieft have been the only other TEs to touch the field. Durham is only averaging a 24% snap count, and Kieft has nine total snaps through week 5. This could amount to a position of concern as the season progresses.

 

Offensive Line: C-

The offensive line (like many parts of this team) has had the injury bug this year. Starting RT Luke Goedeke is set to return this week after missing the past three games due to a concussion. Now, standout rookie center Graham Barton has not practiced this week and has already been ruled out for their week six game vs New Orleans with a hamstring injury. Through week 5, the Buccaneers rank 9^th in sacks allowed, with 16 sacks allowed in 5 games. Once this line has everyone healthy again, the grade should increase, although the OG position will remain a concern.

 

Buccaneers Defense:

Defensive Line: C

The Buccaneers are currently tied for 16^th in sacks in the league with 12 through five games. Ideally, you would like to be higher, but it could be worse. Vita Vea and Logan Hall have both missed a game due to injury. Not to mention, this will be Calijah Kancey’s first game of the season after dealing with a calf injury. When healthy, Vea is arguably one of the best DTs in football, and Kancey is also a valuable contributor at the DT position.

Yaya Diaby has been the true difference maker off the edge, carrying over from his spectacular rookie campaign. However, the current leader in sacks is Logan Hall, with three after his breakout game against Atlanta last week and two sacks. Although the outlook looks encouraging, it hasn’t necessarily been an amazing first five weeks for the defensive line, which grants the C grade.

 

Linebackers: B

We all know about Buccaneers legend Lavonte David, who is still holding down the MLB position for the Buccaneers. He has already logged 37 tackles, two sacks, 1 INT, and two forced fumbles on the season. The rest of the squad is where the true question comes in.

MLB K.J. Britt has been a great leader and speaker for this squad, but his on-field play just hasn’t held up. Against the run, he is a great asset, but passing defense has been a different story. This was part of the problem that let Kirk Cousins and the Flacons post 509 yards through the air. Unfortunately, the LB who could defend the pass well, SirVocea Dennis, was recently placed on IR with a shoulder injury lingering back to summer. It is hard to give a grade lower than a B for this group so far, however after the Atlanta game it is clear that the 2^nd MLB spot will determine if that grade will drop or increase during the remainder of the season.

 

Defensive Backs: B+

The secondary had been incredible before the blow-up game against Atlanta and outperformed expectations. Zyon McCollum was a large part of that, as the young cornerback is having a breakout season. PFF had him as the highest-graded corner in the league. His fellow CB Jamel Dean has had a season full of highs and lows, but without a doubt has shown he has the talent to hang with the best. Although his games against the Broncos and Flacons were not excusable, and HC Todd Bowles made that known.

The safeties might just be the strongest part of this defense. Unfortunately, Antoine Winfield Jr has been out since week one with a foot injury. He is currently listed as questionable for this week and will be a huge boost to this Bucs defense when he returns. In his absence, safeties Jordan Whitehead, Christian Izien, and Tykee Smith have all stepped up. All three of these players have proved to be quality players at the safety position.

 

Buccaneers Outlook:

These grades reflect the team’s 3-2 start to the season but leave plenty of room for optimism going into the heart of the season.

 

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