For better or worse, much of the conversation after the NFL Draft shifts to ranking positions, players, and teams before the football season begins. It sparks much debate about the state of the league and its biggest stars.
One of the main streams of this information comes from Pro Football Focus. Known for its extensive set of player grades, PFF also takes the liberty of ranking players at each position. Max Chadwick and Dalton Wasserman recently took a different, in-depth approach to things, providing a roster ranking of each team. Chadwick and Wasserman’s list includes biggest strength, weakness, X-factor, and rookie to watch.
You might be surprised about where the Bucs rank and what is said about them.
What Is The Biggest Strength And Weakness Of The 2025 Bucs?
Let’s start with the good, shall we?
In PFF’s article, the Bucs are listed as having the 1oth-best roster in the NFL, sandwiched between the Broncos and Commanders. Tampa Bay is not in bad company slotted in the middle of two playoff teams from last season, including being one spot higher than a Washington club that went on a playoff run all the way to the NFC Championship game. Head coach Todd Bowles’ squad will be challenged by various teams in the conference to go on a similar Cinderella run this season.
Much of that will be determined by just how successful the offense is after averaging 29.5 points per game last season. That is undoubtedly the biggest strength of the Bucs entering 2025.
Bucs WR Mike Evans, RB Bucky Irving and QB Baker Mayfield – Photo by: USA Today
With the addition of the dynamic Bucky Irving to the team’s backfield, the Buccaneers boasted one of the NFL’s most balanced offenses last season. They ranked among the top nine teams in PFF passing grade, PFF rushing grade, PFF receiving grade and PFF pass-blocking grade in 2024. The only other teams to accomplish that feat last season were the Falcons and Ravens.
The Bucs fell short in the playoffs in 2024 largely due to the defense’s inability to get off the field. After lacking the killer instinct on that side, talent has been infused on multiple fronts. The biggest weakness is improving a passing secondary that has been lackluster and lacking big plays.
Bucs FS Antoine Winfield Jr., DB Tykee Smith and CB Jamel Dean – Photo by: Cliff Welch/PR
On the other side of the ball, the Buccaneers struggled to stop the pass up front and in the secondary. They ranked 21st and 18th in PFF pass-rush grade and PFF coverage grade, respectively, last season. Coverage over the middle was particularly poor, as Tampa Bay’s linebackers placed 20th in PFF coverage grade while the team’s safeties ranked 28th. A bounce-back from Antoine Winfield Jr. would go a long way toward fixing that problem.
Who Will Be The Bucs’ X-Factor?
One can make a valid argument that safety Antoine Winfield Jr. returning to his previous form as one of the best safeties in the league would be the Bucs’ X-factor. Instead, PFF outlines why wide receiver Chris Godwin’s return to the lineup is even more vital to the team’s success.
Bucs WR Chris Godwin – Photo by: Cliff Welch/PR
Godwin was potentially on his way to his best NFL season before suffering a season-ending injury in Week 7 against Baltimore. His 85.7 PFF receiving grade was the second best of his career. Still just 29 years old with eight excellent seasons under his belt, Godwin has a chance to add even more firepower to an offense that surged down the stretch toward another NFC South title.
To be fair, there is the question mark of who will step up behind Godwin. Tampa Bay has long trusted the veteran wideout to be the Robin to Mike Evans’ Batman, but it was Evans who was in Godwin’s shadow to begin last season statistically speaking. Unfortunately, we will never know what could have been had “CG” remained healthy and played in every game.
Looking ahead to this season, having Jalen McMillan and Emeka Egbuka behind them could truly elevate quarterback Baker Mayfield and the rest of the offense to best in the league status.
Which Bucs’ Rookie Is Worth Keeping An Eye On?
After selecting Emeka Egbuka in the first round, it is debatable how much he – and fellow wide receiver Tez Johnson – will produce on a loaded offense compared to the Bucs’ defensive rookies who have a better chance at extended playing time.
Cornerbacks Benjamin Morrison and Jacob Parrish could win starting jobs sooner rather than later, while outside linebacker David Walker and defensive lineman Elijah Roberts will have a chance to first shine in rotational roles with the chance to earn more snaps as their respective rookie years progress.
As things stand, Morrison is the one to pay attention to. He is looking to put injury concerns behind him and return to the playmaking corner he was with Notre Dame his first two years there.
Bucs CB Benjamin Morrison – Photo by: Cliff Welch/PR
If he can prove he is fully healthy after undergoing season-ending hip surgery in 2024, Morrison could be a steal of a second-round pick. During his three seasons at Notre Dame, he ranked 12th among qualified Power Four cornerbacks with an elite 90.5 PFF coverage grade. He also tied for third among that same group with nine interceptions. He may serve as a backup early on, but Tampa Bay’s lack of cornerback depth could push Morrison into an important role.
Should Jamel Dean get bitten by the injury bug again, Morrison will be next in line to take over. That makes him the rookie to watch, especially as the talent is there to make an impact and claim the starting cornerback jobs for years to come alongside Zyon McCollum.
After being a playoff team last year, the team retained all of its key pieces, while others were added to complement the existing talent. Tampa Bay has built an impressive core of young talent in recent years, but everything will need to come together and fall in place to truly exceed expectations if they hope to make headway toward a Super Bowl victory.
