Team Preview - Tampa Bay Buccaneers

I don't think too many people are going to argue with me when I say the Buccaneers are one of the most dysfunctional franchises in the NFL. They have an obvious lack of talent on their roster, have a sub-par coaching staff, and have picked high in the draft for as long as I can remember. I don't know if they have any fantasy relevant players outside of OJ Howard, Mike Evans, and maybe Chris Godwin, and even those players have added risk tied to such a bad team. Maybe Bruce Arians can revive the team and make this team truly fantasy relevant, but that's a long shot at best.

Jameis Winston will need to put up big numbers this year to make up for his disappointing performance last year

Quarterback - Jameis Winston

It's safe to say that the former number 1 overall pick has disappointed in his first 4 years in the NFL. On his career, he's thrown 88 touchdowns to 58 picks and while he threw over 4,000 yards in his first 2 years in the league, he has significantly regressed since then. However, I think Winston has the tools necessary to have a comeback year. The Bucs have 2 capable receivers in Evans and Godwin and if Winston can just find a way to throw them the ball, good things can happen. Don't count on Winston to produce starting caliber numbers, but draft him hoping for a potential top-5 season.

Ronald Jones will need a miracle to produce high-end numbers

Running Back - Peyton Barber, Ronald Jones

Last year, everyone expected the impressive rookie Ronald Jones to take the starting job from Peyton Barber. As each week passed and another injury or 3 carry game happened, people hung on the Jones, hoping for the breakout to happen. It never happened. I have absolutely no idea what is going to happen with these running backs this year. Maybe they split carries or one rises into the workhorse role. Either way, Bruce Arians has had only 1 1,000 yard rusher in his last 5 years with the Cardinals and he even had a guy named David Johnson. Neither running back is worth picking up until the very later rounds.

Mike Evans is one of the few sure things on the Buccaneers

Receivers - Mike Evans, Chris Godwin

Surprisingly, the Bucs have one of the better receiving groups in the NFL. Mike Evans is a perennial thousand yard receiver who should be getting 10+ touchdowns with his big frame. As long as Arians can breathe some life into the passing attack, I think Evans is a save low-end WR1. Godwin had a breakout season last year and will look to compliment Evans style with his deep-ball ability. I think Godwin has a chance to be a big yardage guy this year. Don't pencil this in just yet, but if the offense clicks, the touchdowns might start piling up with most of the attention going towards Howard and Evans in the red zone.

OJ Howard could be in for big things this year

Tight End - OJ Howard

Finally, Howard has taken over Cameron Brate's job as the starting tight end and expect him to run with it. OJ Howard is obviously more talented and athletic and its a wonder how this hasn't happened sooner. Needless to say, its his job now and you can expect big numbers from the former 19th overall pick. I think OJ Howard will go off for a top-6 campaign in the heavily depleted position and will be surprisingly consistent with his numbers.

5th pick Devin White will have to make a big impact to make the Bucs' defense relevant

Defense -

The Buccaneers defense is going to be bad next year. Yes, they have Devin White, Ndamukong Suh, Jason Pierre-Paul and Lavonte David, but 4 players can't play defense on their own. Don't draft their defense and don't play them a single week next year no matter how tempted you are. They are going to disappoint.

Final Prediction -

Next year can turn out two ways for the Bucs. On one hand, they can be blown out every game. That's no fun, but points during garbage time count the same as points in crunch time. On the other hand, every game can be a shootout, and we all know how good that is for fantasy. Overall, I think that game script can balance out the complete lack of talent on the Bucs and while there are only a few players you can definitely trust, there is a possibility for a few more to break out. Outside of Godwin, Evans and Howard, however, try to avoid Bucs players.