The first wave of free agency saw the Bucs stick to what they know best and re-sign their top players such as wide receiver Chris Godwin while making one splash with the signing of edge rusher Haason Reddick. They also addressed depth in several areas with new players like cornerback Kindle Vildor and inside linebacker Anthony Walker.
Bucs OLB Haason Reddick – Photo by: Cliff Welch/PR
While the maybe not all of the moves stand out to others besides Godwin and Reddick, the Bucs are going with a plan that has worked in recent years to consistently be contending for the postseason. As it stands, the Bucs have the longest current run in the NFC with five consecutive playoff appearances.
Bucs Power Ranking After Free Agency
It’s one thing to be a playoff contender, but it’s another to be considered one of the best teams in the league. In an article by Mason Cameron on Pro Football Focus, he power ranked every NFL team after free agency has gone on. The Bucs ended up in the top 10, coming in at 10th out of 32. Here’s what he had to say.
“Losing offensive coordinator Liam Coen is a blow to a Bucs offense that ranked fifth in EPA per play last season, but retaining Chris Godwin ensures this unit will have the pieces to remain competitive in 2025. Baker Mayfield’s resurgence, combined with the reliable duo of Chris Godwin and Mike Evans and the addition of Bucky Irving in the backfield, keeps this offense in a strong position.
“Tampa didn’t make a splash in free agency, but the team did land Haason Reddick on a prove-it deal to strengthen the pass rush. With low risk for the Bucs and plenty of upside for Reddick, this move has the potential to pay off for both sides.”
Check out the entire PFF article.
Bucs QB Baker Mayfield – Photo by: USA Today
Bucs Have A Good Case For Being A Top Team
The nine teams ahead of Tampa Bay were the Ravens, Eagles, Lions, Bills, Chiefs, Commanders, Vikings, Broncos and the Rams coming in at ninth. The best thing that the Bucs have going for them is that their entire offense is coming back after being a team that was top four statistically in all of the important offensive categories, including points per game.
Despite Liam Coen moving to Jacksonville, the continuity between everybody on offense should be top level. Baker Mayfield might play his way into the MVP conversation, Mike Evans has a continual quest for 1,000 yards, Chris Godwin was the driving force of this team before his injury and the run game is already up there with the best in the league.
Where the real concern is how much the defense has improved at this point. Haason Reddick is the big name that the Bucs have gone after but even though it’s low risk, high reward, the downside of it is if Reddick doesn’t work out it puts the Bucs in the same situation they were in last season with a lack of a four-man pass rush. The other side of that, though is having a healthier safety Antoine Winfield Jr. and Tykee Smith moving over to strong safety, there should be better overall defensive production.
It’s tough to put the Bucs ahead of many teams in front of them, but there could be a case for the Bucs to move ahead of the Vikings, who lost quarterback Sam Darnold and have an unproven rookie quarterback J.J. McCarthy set to make his debut.
The Rams replaced Cooper Kupp with another older veteran receiver in Davante Adams and helped their defenisve line with Poona Ford. Depending on one’s thoughts on about what Adams can bring to the Los Angeles, there’s a case the Bucs could move past them as well.
Ultimately, it will be up to Tampa Bay to continue to grow on offense while fixing their defense. If they can do the latter they should be competing for a championship game and a Super Bowl appearance next season.
