Tampa Bay Buccaneers Season Recap

NFC South	Finished 2nd in Division
Overall Record: 9-7 (4-2 in the division)	Draft Position: 19th
Head Coach: Dirk Koetter	GM: Jason Licht

Pro Bowlers

• WR Mike Evans
• DT Gerald McCoy

2016 Rankings

	Yards/Game	Points/Game	Passing Yards/Game	Rushing Yards/Game
Offense	18th	T-18th	16th	24th	TDs – 16th
Defense	23rd	15th	22nd	22nd	Sacks – T-9th	INTs – T-4th

Top Passers

Name	Games Started	CMP. PCT.	Yards	TDs	INTs	Passer Rating	QBR
Jameis Winston	16	60.8	4,090	28	18	86.1	64.8

Top Rushers

Name	Rushing Yards	Y/A	TDs
Jacquizz Rodgers	560	4.3	2
Doug Martin	421	2.9	3

Top Pass Catchers

Name	Receptions	Yards	Y/C	TDs
Mike Evans	96	1,321	13.8	12
Cameron Brate	57	660	11.6	8

Top Defensive Players

• LB Kwon Alexander - 145 total tackles, 10 tackles for loss, 3.0 sacks, 1 INT, 1 forced fumble
• S Bradley McDougald - 91 total tackles, 3 tackles for loss, 2 INTs
• DT Gerald McCoy - 34 total tackles, 3 tackles for loss, 7.0 sacks, 2 forced fumbles
• CB Brent Grimes - 57 total tackles, 4 INTs, 1 forced fumble
• S Keith Tandy - 57 total tackles, 2 tackles for loss, 4 INTs

Impending Free Agents

• WR Vincent Jackson
• T Gosder Cherilus
• FS Chris Conte
• FS Bradley McDougald
• ILB Daryl Smith
• TE Brandon Myers
• CB Josh Robinson
• WR Russell Shepard
• C Joe Hawley
• WR Cecil Shorts
• QB Mike Glennon
• RB Jacquizz Rodgers
• RB Atone Smith
• DT Sealver Siliga
• DE John Hughes
• DT Akeem Spence
• DE William Gholston

What I Said About Them Before the Season

• I thought that the Bucs would go 5-11 this season but had the chance to be a .500 team if several of their games broke the correct way.  I believed strongly in their defense, especially their secondary after drafting Vernon Hargreaves III and signing Brent Grimes.  The element that I thought their season would be based on was whether or not Jameis Winston could build on a successful rookie season.  Ultimately, I felt that Tampa's season was going to be the product of playing in a tough division, considering I thought that Carolina had a chance to go undefeated.

Success/Failure

• Success - The Bucs were another team that probably surprised a lot of people by being a borderline playoff team until the very end of the season.  Winston had an excellent sophomore season, eclipsing the 4,000 yard passing mark, a large percentage of which were thrown to wide receiver Mike Evans.  Their secondary was really good, ranking fourth in interceptions as their offseason additions paid dividends for them.  If there is an area of the team that didn't live up to its potential it would be their running game, where Jacquizz Rodgers and Doug Martin didn't have 1,000 rushing yards between them.  Ultimately, this team is one in development that is building towards the playoffs and has a chance to win the division next season.

Offseason Needs

• The Buccaneers were bad against the rush this season and will need to address this issue by drafting at least one defensive lineman at the draft.  They could also use help on the back end of their secondary, another piece that will help defend against the run.  CBS Sports has them drafting hybrid Jabrill Peppers out of Michigan with their first round pick, a good pick and a player who could play all over the field.  They also need to give Winston more help by drafting a number two receiver to play opposite Mike Evans now that Vincent Jackson has started to regress.  Fox Sports has them drafting Corey Davis from Western Michigan to fill this need. Lastly, I would like to see them address their running back problem.  It doesn't appear that the duo of Rodgers and Martin is going to work long-term so perhaps using a lower round pick on a back would be a good move.

*All stats and information come from espn.com, nfl.com, pro-football-reference.com, rosterresource.com, spotrac.com, overthecap.com, foxsports.com, and cbssports.com