The Tampa Bay Buccaneers’ season didn’t end up where the team wanted it to, but given preseason expectations and the rocky nature of its regular season, Tampa Bay’s 2023 campaign could be considered a rousing success.
The Bucs won the NFC South for the third year in a row and even won a playoff game in the Wild Card Round against a team they were betting underdogs against in the Philadelphia Eagles. And while it wasn’t perfect all the way through, there were quite a few stars that propelled the team forward — and, as it wasn’t perfect all the way through, there were a few players that may have contributed to that.
Bucs Wire has done its Studs and Duds for every game of the 2023 season, and now, we’re taking a broader look at the year as a whole. Here are our studs and duds for Tampa Bay’s latest campaign:
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No surprises here. Winfield Jr. was the only Bucs player to make the First Team All-Pro squad, and it was well deserved. He forced six fumbles, picked off three passes and defended 12 passes, among other impressive feats, and he was singlehandedly responsible for keeping Tampa Bay in games numerous times over the course of the season. If Winfield Jr. can continue to produce even half this well going forward, the Bucs would be remiss not to sign him in free agency this offseason.
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On the other side of this spectrum, Ryan Neal was a signing that didn’t quite work out in free agency. Neal was frequently bested in coverage and didn’t record a forced fumble, INT or even a fumble recovery on the year. It was a good signing at the time, but seeing as how Neal ended up being largely replaced by players like Kaevon Merriweather and Zyon McCollum toward the end of the year, don’t expect him to come back to Tampa Bay in 2024.
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Mike Evans didn’t just ball out — he had one of his best years ever. He caught 79 passes for 1,255 yards and 13 touchdowns, tied for the best in the league with Miami’s Tyreek Hill. It was a contract year, so it makes sense that Evans would go all out on that end, and by proving that he still has this play left in him at 30 years old he also proved that the Bucs would be fools to let him walk in free agency.
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Devin White had a big prove-it year after requesting to be traded during the offseason, and he did not, in fact, prove it. While that dash of speed and sideline-to-sideline energy still occasionally showed itself, White’s lack of coverage ability, awful tackling angles and poor ball instincts led him to be sidelined for LB K.J. Britt toward the end of the season. White is another player that likely won’t be back for Tampa Bay in 2024.
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No, Baker Mayfield wasn’t perfect by any means, but he certainly did far more than the Bucs expected him to in 2023. Mayfield threw 28 touchdowns and 10 interceptions in the regular season but also had a very strong playoff run, throwing six touchdowns to three picks. Mayfield’s status is up in the air with the matter of his contract and the departure of OC Dave Canales, but he’s certainly done enough to warrant a second season with the Bucs.
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Tampa Bay has been waiting for a breakout season from Joe Tryon-Shoyinka and it simply has not happened. Tryon-Shoyinka netted five sacks in 2023, but his general ineffectiveness in the pass rush and his struggles in setting the edge led him to be sideline for rookie pass rusher Yaya Diaby, who put up 7.5 sacks in almost half as many games. Tryon-Shoyinka is heading into his fourth year under contract, and while the Bucs can pick up his fifth-year option, I doubt they will.
