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The Five Most Important Buccaneers For 2016

By James Yarcho

Jun 14, 2016; Tampa Bay, FL, USA; Tampa Bay Buccaneers wide receiver Vincent Jackson (83) and wide receiver Mike Evans (13) and wide receiver Louis Murphy (18) work out during mini camp at One Buccaneer Place. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
Jun 14, 2016; Tampa Bay, FL, USA; Tampa Bay Buccaneers wide receiver Vincent Jackson (83) and wide receiver Mike Evans (13) and wide receiver Louis Murphy (18) work out during mini camp at One Buccaneer Place. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports /
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Oct 25, 2015; Landover, MD, USA; Washington Redskins tight end Jordan Reed (86) avoids the tackle by Tampa Bay Buccaneers middle linebacker Kwon Alexander (58) during the second half at FedEx Field. The Washington Redskins won 31 – 30. Mandatory Credit: Brad Mills-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 25, 2015; Landover, MD, USA; Washington Redskins tight end Jordan Reed (86) avoids the tackle by Tampa Bay Buccaneers middle linebacker Kwon Alexander (58) during the second half at FedEx Field. The Washington Redskins won 31 – 30. Mandatory Credit: Brad Mills-USA TODAY Sports /

Kwon Alexander

A surprise rookie standout, Kwon Alexander is poised to be an impactful Buccaneer for a long time, but that doesn’t mean he doesn’t need to be a heck of a lot better in year two. As many amazing, splash plays as Kwon made, he left just as many on the field.

Kwon had some instant growing pains last season and was missing a lot of assignments early on in the season. The problems even caused Lavonte David to be less effective because he was so concerned with keeping an eye on Kwon, ensuring Alexander was doing what he was supposed to, that David wasn’t focused on his own assignments and duties.

With another offseason under his belt you would think Alexander would be even better and that the Bucs’ linebacker duo would take the next step towards being one of the best tandems in the NFL. However, if there is a steep learning curve under defensive coordinator Mike Smith’s new system – as there was for Kwon under Lovie Smith – we could see a repeat of his struggles out of the gate, which Tampa Bay can not afford.

Next: Number Three

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