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Buccaneers rankings: How the receivers stack up in the NFC South

By David Harrison

Jun 14, 2017; Tampa Bay, FL, USA; Tampa Bay Buccaneers wide receiver DeSean Jackson (1) and Tampa Bay Buccaneers wide receiver Mike Evans (13) walk off the field at One Buccaneer Place. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
Jun 14, 2017; Tampa Bay, FL, USA; Tampa Bay Buccaneers wide receiver DeSean Jackson (1) and Tampa Bay Buccaneers wide receiver Mike Evans (13) walk off the field at One Buccaneer Place. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports /
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Aug 11, 2016; Atlanta, GA, USA; Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Mohamed Sanu (12) is introduced before a game against the Washington Redskins at the Georgia Dome. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports
Aug 11, 2016; Atlanta, GA, USA; Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Mohamed Sanu (12) is introduced before a game against the Washington Redskins at the Georgia Dome. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports /

Overall

So the Bucs have a strong unit heading into the 2017 regular season, but was it enough to unseat the Falcons’ top offense from last year?

Here’s the final standings.

4. Carolina Panthers

Christian McCaffrey is a nice addition, but ultimately this is the same offense which struggled, minus the speed of Ted Ginn Jr.

Where they’re going to make up for it is yet to be seen, but McCaffrey himself can’t right this ship immediately.

Curtis Samuel is a sleeper to make an impact as well in his rookie season.

3. New Orleans Saints

Losing Brandin Cooks hurts, but not as much as it appears to on Madden.

Michael Thomas should prove last year wasn’t a fluke, and if Willie Snead stays consistent then this offense will do just fine.

Not as well maybe as two other competitors, but Drew Brees should be able to make some magic happen as usual.

2. Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Guys, I wanted the Bucs unit to come out on top too. Believe me.

If there was any area my bias could take over it’d be here, but I have to be honest here.

Jackson is unproven in Tampa yet, so it’s hard to assign value before the plays start to count.

There are no real receiving threats out of the backfield which makes their wildcard a tight end.

I love the Howard pick, but a tight end just isn’t going to bring the same punch as a backfield option can, and can’t be as consistent coming in as number two.

If Jackson meshes well, then the Bucs move to the top spot, believe me.

1. Atlanta Falcons

The Falcons are coming back with basically the same offense. Of course, this is the same offense which had the second most yards per game in 2016.

They also scored the most points in the league, and it wasn’t even close.

I really think the Bucs can take a shot at the offensive firepower crown against the Falcons, but until they do so, this unit takes the top spot.

Next: Mike Evans embraces leadership role

I don’t like it any more than most of you reading this do, but facts are facts. The Falcons weapons in the passing game are legit, and they’re coming back for more.

The Super Bowl hangover might have something to say about it though, so nothing is written in stone.

These are the rankings as I see them, let me know what you think in the comments, on Twitter or at walkingtheplankpodcast@gmail.com.

Then, check out the rankings for the defensive line, offensive line, quarterbacks, and linebackers!

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