How Does The Bucs’ Roster Stack Up Against The Rest Of The NFL?

Coming into yr three of the Tom Brady period, the Bucs are as soon as once more Tremendous Bowl contenders. After successful the Lombardi Trophy two seasons in the past, they fell excruciatingly quick within the NFC Divisional Spherical final yr. Now, 2022 presents one other probability for them to capitalize on having the best quarterback of all time on their roster.

After all, this offseason hasn’t come with out its challenges and uncertainties. Brady retired for 40 days within the spring. When he returned, Tampa Bay went by a training change. Bruce Arians stepped right into a entrance workplace position and handed the mantle to longtime protégé Todd Bowles. There have been additionally retirements for each Professional Bowl guard Ali Marpet and future Corridor of Fame tight finish Rob Gronkowski. Add within the typical free company frenzy and new draft class and you’ve got a particularly busy offseason for the Bucs’ entrance workplace.

So, with most roster strikes over with and coaching camp just a few weeks away, how do issues stand for Tampa Bay? Effectively, ESPN’s Ben Linsey simply ranked all 32 NFL roster heading into 2022, and the Bucs fared nicely. He had them at No. 2, which was the highest spot within the NFC. The Payments had the highest spot in Linsey’s rankings. A possible Tremendous Bowl matchup between Tampa Bay and Buffalo will surely make sense.

Selecting Out The Greatest Power For The 2022 Bucs

Linsey assessed every workforce’s strengths and weaknesses heading into the brand new season, with a selected deal with projected beginning lineups. With Brady underneath heart, the quarterback place feels just like the Bucs’ greatest energy. However Linsey gave credit score to the boys blocking up entrance, naming Tampa Bay’s offensive line as its greatest energy.

“The Buccaneers misplaced a high quality starter at proper guard in Alex Cappa and nonetheless managed to enhance on the place by buying and selling for Shaq Mason. The proper aspect of their offensive line has a robust case for finest within the NFL,” Linsey wrote. “Tristan Wirfs and Mason are each top-three gamers at their place in PFF’s wins above alternative (WAR) metric over the previous two seasons.

“Add in Ryan Jensen’s return at heart and the strides made by Donovan Smith at left sort out, and Tom Brady as soon as once more can have among the best offensive strains within the league coming into 2022.”

That is the primary time the Bucs have seen turnover alongside their offensive line within the final couple of years. All 5 starters from the Tremendous Bowl season returned in 2021. Now, two of them are gone. With Marpet’s retirement and Alex Cappa’s departure in free company, the Bucs abruptly had two open guard spots. However they’ve performed exceptionally nicely in filling them. Buying and selling a late draft choose to New England for Shaq Mason arguably upgraded the fitting guard place. In the meantime, Aaron Stinnie, Luke Goedeke and Robert Hainsey are amongst these competing for the left guard spot. All three guys have a case to win the job, and Tampa Bay seemingly feels good about any of them successful it.

Two new guards be a part of an outstanding core on the offensive line. Ryan Jensen re-signed, guaranteeing that one in all soccer’s finest facilities remains to be round to anchor the unit. And with All-Professional Tristan Wirfs manning the fitting guard place and the perennially underrated Donovan Smith holding down the left, you’ll be able to see why Linsey likes the Buccaneer offensive line.

Resorting To Nitpicking For A Weak point

Discovering a weak spot on Tampa Bay’s roster is tough. Linsey admits as a lot.

“You need to poke round to search out weaknesses on a roster as sturdy as Tampa Bay’s,” he wrote.

In the end, Linsey settled on the Bucs’ reliance on youth and inexperience as their greatest deficiency.

“The Bucs have misplaced some veteran depth at a few spots and can be counting on youthful, extra inexperienced gamers to step up,” he wrote. “That’s the case on the defensive entrance, the place current draft picks similar to Joe Tryon-Shoyinka and Logan Corridor can be requested to fill roles held by Jason Pierre-Paul and Ndamukong Suh, although the current addition of Akiem Hicks definitely helps.

“On offense, the identical will be mentioned for rookie tight finish Cade Otton filling the void left by O.J. Howard and Rob Gronkowski.”

It’s a good evaluation, nevertheless it’s clear that the Bucs be ok with their younger up-and-comers. Tryon-Shoyinka is a breakout candidate in his second season, whereas a lot is anticipated of rookie Logan Corridor. On the identical time, Corridor has Hicks there to rotate with, so there’s not a ton of strain on him to provide on the highest ranges instantly.

Extra Love For Tryon-Shoyinka Forward Of Yr Two

There’s no scarcity of analysts and retailers tagging Tryon-Shoyinka as a participant to observe for the Bucs in 2022. It’s not onerous to see why. With Jason Pierre-Paul gone after 4 sturdy seasons in Tampa, Tryon-Shoyinka is getting an opportunity to play the starter’s share of snaps on the opposite aspect of two-time Professional Bowl choice. Shaquil Barrett. And after a stable rookie season, the 2021 first-round choose appears primed to take a much bigger position within the protection and run with it.

Linsey agrees, as evidenced by his choose for Tampa Bay’s “x-factor for 2022.”

“Tryon-Shoyinka, Tampa Bay’s first-round choice within the 2021 NFL draft, performed 608 defensive snaps whereas working behind Shaquil Barrett and Pierre-Paul in 2021,” Linsey wrote. “He wasn’t capable of generate constant strain (9.8% strain fee) in his time on the sphere, however he’ll be counted on to make an influence as a starter in 2022. The bodily instruments are there for him to make that second-year leap.”

As a rookie, the previous Washington standout was spectacular. He completed with 4 sacks, however was a mixed few seconds away from doubtlessly selecting up at the very least three or 4 extra. There’s quite a bit to like in regards to the participant and the kind of athlete he’s, and the Bucs predict quite a lot of him this yr.