With the offseason upon us, and several roster moves expected to be made shortly, let’s take a look back at which Bucs proved themselves in 2018 and which may be shown the door.
Coming off a 5-11 2018, new head coach Bruce Arians and his staff will have a good amount of film to watch.
When they watch that film, some players are going to catch the coaching staff’s eye, and others will make the coaching staff wonder why they were even on the field.
With many roster moves likely on the way here’s a look at which players in 2018 proved themselves as studs and to be part of the team’s long term plans and which proved to be duds and should be left behind going forward.
Stud: WR Chris Godwin
After a rookie season that only saw Chris Godwin make 34 catches in 2017, the former third-round pick took a big step forward in 2018. Godwin finished his second season in the NFL with 59 catches for 842 yards and seven touchdowns. Godwin established himself as the number two receiver on the Bucs depth chart after DeSean Jackson again failed to live up to his high expectations. With the Bucs likely to move on from Jackson this off-season, Godwin should be the Bucs number two receiver lining up on the opposite side of Mike Evans for the foreseeable future.
Dud: OT Caleb Benenoch
Caleb Benenoch was by far the weakest link on the Bucs offensive line in 2018. Benenoch won a starting offensive tackle spot after a solid training camp and pre-season, but that was the only part of 2018 that was good to Benenoch. Benenoch allowed nine sacks and was often pulled mid-game by former head coach Dirk Koetter. His struggles have the Bucs seeking an offensive tackle in either free agency or the draft and could get him released if he continues to struggle in training camp and the preseason of 2019.
Stud: S Andrew Adams
After injuries decimated the Bucs secondary, the team signed Andrew Adams off the free-agent market mid-season. In his 13 games with the Bucs, Adams proved he could be a player that can bring value in the future. Adams picked off four passes including a three-interception game against the Carolina Panthers. In addition, Adams defended nine passes and recorded 38 total tackles. Adams may not be a future star, but he can provide Bucs depth at the safety position if they chose to bring him back in 2019.
Dud: DE Vinny Curry
Vinny Curry was a significant contributor for the Eagles Super Bowl LII championship team. Following the 2017-18 season, the Bucs signed the pass rusher to a three-year deal hoping he’d help improve the team’s ability to get to the quarterback. However, that was not the case in Curry’s first year in Tampa. Curry played in all 16 games and only recorded two and a half sacks and 21 total tackles. These numbers were not at all what the Bucs are expecting, and Curry could very well be a victim of a salary cup cut if the Bucs don’t believe he can bounce back in 2019.
Stud: DE Jason Pierre-Paul
Following seven seasons with the New York Giants Jason Pierre-Paul was traded to Tampa Bay last off-season. The Bucs traded for Pierre-Paul hoping they’d find the man to anchor their pass rush. The 30-year-old was that and then some. Pierre-Paul put together a season overlooked by many as he recorded 12.5 sacks, which were tied for the second most in a single season in his career. He also recorded 58 total tackles had both a forced fumble and fumble recovery and had a career-high 19 run stuff yards. Pierre-Paul still has two more years on his contract and will continue to be the man the Bucs rely on to get to the passer.
Dud: DT Gerald McCoy
Gerald McCoy has been the heart and sole of the Bucs organization for the past nine seasons. However, 2018 suggested that his best days may be behind him as he prepares to turn 31. McCoy missed two games due to injury, but in the 14 he did play he wasn’t all too effective. He was able to record six sacks but only finished the season with 28 total tackles and near a career-low four rush yard stuffs. The down year has led to speculation that McCoy may be released this off-season to clear cap room. That remains to be seen, but it was surely a disappointing season for the former third-overall pick.
