Nov 30, 2014; Tampa, FL, USA; works Tampa Bay Buccaneers wide receiver Mike Evans (13) and wide receiver Vincent Jackson (83) talk prior to the game against the Cincinnati Bengals at Raymond James Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
Wide receivers: Mike Evans, Vincent Jackson & Adam Humphries (Slot)
The two receivers on the outside should come as a surprise to no one. Aside from the defensive tackle position, Evans and Jackson are the two surest things this team has in the starting lineup. The first duo in Tampa Bay Buccaneers history to break 1,000 receiving yards in the same season, the dynamic duo will make life for Winston much easier this season.
During his rookie campaign, Evans exploded onto the scene and established himself as the team’s top threat at wide receiver. With a team-record 12 touchdown receptions, he proved to be a vertical threat and a nightmare in the red zone.
Meanwhile, Jackson took the transition to the No. 2 slot with ease, showing a calming veteran presence on the young Evans, as well as continuing to make the tough catch over the middle and pick up first downs exactly when needed. He will continue to mentor Winston, in addition to Evans and the young receivers that play alongside him.
The man who will man the slot, however, might come as a bit of a surprise to Bucs fans. Even the one who have been watching the team play all preseason long. Move over Louis Murphy, Humphries—an undrafted free agent out of Clemson who Winston called his “own Wes Welker”—has shown why he could be one of the NFL’s best slot men in just a short time frame.
Humphries’ ability to work the middle of the field and always seem to find an opening for his quarterback could make him an invaluable asset for Winston as the season progresses. The Bucs might have finally found the slot receiver that they haven’t had since Joe Jurevicius during their Super Bowl run in 2002.
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Tight end: Austin Seferian-Jenkins
Seferian-Jenkins, the second-year tight end out of Washington, has the ability to blossom into one of the NFL’s best tight ends under Koetter. As long as he stays healthy. His 6-foot-6 frame allows him to be a red zone threat. ASJ has displayed great toughness and an improved catch radius so far this summer.
Again, if he can prevent long trips to the injury report, Seferian-Jenkins will be a much needed security blanket for Winston in 2015 and beyond.
Next: Austin Seferian-Jenkins will be secret to Bucs' success