What Is The Bucs’ Biggest Roster Weakness?

Here was Schatz’s analysis of the position being considered a weakness:

Similar to the Vikings, the Buccaneers have two stars at the outside wide receiver positions and questions about their third spot. Trey Palmer ranked 79th in DVOA among qualifying wideouts last year, with just 385 receiving yards and three touchdowns. The spot might instead go to rookie third-round pick Jalen McMillan (Washington), who knows a thing or two about sharing the spotlight with two other star receivers. Further down on the depth chart, Deven Thompkins had a lower receiving DVOA than Palmer last year, and everyone else is an undrafted free agent in his second season.

He does list Chris Godwin as being the other star outside wide receiver opposite Mike Evans, although McClendon all but confirmed that Godwin will be getting the most run on the inside to start next season. His case does hold some validity though when considering that Tampa Bay has yet to find an established third wide receiver.

Bucs Still Need To Find Out Which Young WR Will Stand Out

Trey Palmer showed flashes last season playing above his sixth-round draft position, but there were also moments where Palmer failed to haul in deep passes to change the momentum of games and struggled to hold onto the ball at times. There is still hope he can open things up in offensive coordinator Liam Coen’s offense as a deep threat, but third-round rookie Jalen McMillan will be getting the first opportunity at hauling in passes from Baker Mayfield and contributing on offense as the third target.

As Schatz alluded to, he is going from playing with Rome Odunze and Ja’Lynn Polk at Washington to Mike Evans and Chris Godwin in Tampa Bay. That should help his adjustment period fitting within the offense wherever necessary.

With Godwin taking on more of a throwback role which will allow him to get his touches, the Bucs are surely hoping that McMillan or Palmer can step up and be an integral part of the 11 personnel sets that will be a staple of the offense.

If not, that is a position the team could struggle to fill, as the room lacks another veteran and has chosen to rely on youth to fill out the depth chart. Still, when looking over the roster, should the third wide receiver spot be considered the biggest need?

Do The Bucs Have A Bigger Roster Weakness Than WR?

Both the interior offensive line and outside linebacker were the biggest needs for the Bucs going into the offseason.

The team did well in addressing each position, especially by adding four new interior offensive linemen, headlined by first-round pick Graham Barton. The left guard spot remains up for grabs, but the hope is that Ben Bredeson, Sua Opeta, or Elijah Klein can gain a starting foothold on it. The outside linebacker room also needed starting-caliber reinforcements, and the Bucs added a blend of youth and experience by adding Chris Braswell in the second round and Randy Gregory in free agency.

As things stand right now, it remains to be seen what the biggest weaknesses are on the roster, but the Bucs tried their best to plug up the holes to ensure their ship can float and make another expedition toward winning the NFC South in 2024.