Five Reasons the Buccaneers Have a Promising Future
By Bailey Adams
Young Talent
Even apart from Jameis Winston, the team’s 22-year-old quarterback, there is a wealth of young talent on Tampa Bay’s roster. The team has youth all over the field, especially as its 2016 draft picks enter the fold.
On offense, Winston is surrounded by Mike Evans (turns 23 in August), Austin Seferian-Jenkins (24 in September), Charles Sims (26 in September), Kenny Bell (24), Adam Humphries (23 in June), Donovan Smith (23 in June) and Ali Marpet (23), among others. Doug Martin is still under 30 (27) and, when the season starts, Tampa Bay will have 13 linemen under 30 years old (with two more at age 30).
The two faces of the Tampa Bay defense for the last few years have been Gerald McCoy (28) and Lavonte David (26). Joining David last year on the linebacker corps was Kwon Alexander, who enters this season at 22 years old. Adding first-round draft pick Vernon Hargreaves III (turns 21 in June) and second-rounder Noah Spence (22) gives the Bucs a young core on defense that will lead the way for the future.
There is an abundance of potential on this roster, which will only continue to develop with more experience. As the group grows together, it will be a dangerous one in the division and in the league as a whole. Just think: there will be a period of time in which Winston, Evans, the offensive line, Alexander, Hargreaves and Spence will all be in the prime of their careers. Now that will be fun for Bucs’ fans to see.
Next: Special Teams