Buccaneers: Who Steps Up to Lead a Playoff Run?
Bradley McDougald
It’s week 13 and the Bucs are one game out of the playoffs. The run could end as quickly as it started though. The Bucs need play makers to keep making plays and the others to step up. The quietest player I believe the Bucs need step up is Bradley McDougald. The Bucs defense has been a force lately allowing three touchdowns in the past three games, one of which was a Hail Mary half ender. The Bucs secondary is definitely not one of the best units this team has and will be tested in the upcoming weeks.
The Bucs will be without recent stand out Chris Conte for the next few weeks and re-signed Major Wright. This shows little confidence in fourth rounder Ryan Smith. The secondary faces Phillip Rivers, Drew Brees x2, Dak Prescott, and Cam Newton in the next five weeks so defense will be crucial over the next few weeks. According to Gil Brandt of NFL.com, McDougald is in the top ten for lowest defensive back burn rate with 48%. If he keeps it up the Bucs should keep playing at a high level. If he were to slip up at all the back-end of the Bucs defense is easy pickings for the likes Brees and Rivers.