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Buccaneers: Biggest Surprise Players of 2016

By Alan Schechter

Dec 11, 2016; Tampa, FL, USA; Tampa Bay Buccaneers head coach Dirk Koetter watches the scoreboard during a review late in the second half against the New Orleans Saints at Raymond James Stadium. The Tampa Bay Buccaneers defeated the New Orleans Saints 16-11. Mandatory Credit: Jonathan Dyer-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 11, 2016; Tampa, FL, USA; Tampa Bay Buccaneers head coach Dirk Koetter watches the scoreboard during a review late in the second half against the New Orleans Saints at Raymond James Stadium. The Tampa Bay Buccaneers defeated the New Orleans Saints 16-11. Mandatory Credit: Jonathan Dyer-USA TODAY Sports /
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Jan 1, 2017; Tampa, FL, USA; Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Jameis Winston (3) points to the fans after they beat the Carolina Panthers at Raymond James Stadium. Tampa Bay Buccaneers defeated the Carolina Panthers 17-16. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 1, 2017; Tampa, FL, USA; Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Jameis Winston (3) points to the fans after they beat the Carolina Panthers at Raymond James Stadium. Tampa Bay Buccaneers defeated the Carolina Panthers 17-16. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports /

Jameis Winston

Some may view this as either obvious or boring, but considering the season he
had there are lots of reasons to be “wowed” by what Winston’s 2016 campaign consisted of.

His targets entering the season were going to be limited in some ways and those targets became just that when tight end Austin Seferian-Jenkins was cut and veteran receiver Vincent Jackson was lost for the season due to injury. In just his second year, Winston became the only quarterback in NFL history to post back-to-back 4,000-yard seasons. He also set the team record for passing yards (4,090) and touchdowns (29) in 2016.

Inside the red zone, Winston was also impressive for a second-year, recently turned 23-year old quarterback. His 19 touchdowns inside the 20-yard line was seventh best in the league ( via Pro Football Reference) and his 100.2 quarterback rating in the red zone ranked ahead of quarterbacks named Eli Manning, Russell Wilson and Cam Newton (per Sporting Charts).

–Gil Arcia

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