The Pewter Plank
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Buccaneers: 4 players entering make-or-break seasons

By Ryan Doyle

TAMPA, FL - AUGUST 24: Jameis Winston #3 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers warms up during a preseason game against the Detroit Lions at Raymond James Stadium on August 24, 2018 in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images)
TAMPA, FL - AUGUST 24: Jameis Winston #3 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers warms up during a preseason game against the Detroit Lions at Raymond James Stadium on August 24, 2018 in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images) /
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MINNEAPOLIS, MN – SEPTEMBER 24: DeSean Jackson #11 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers carries the ball in the first half of the game against the Minnesota Vikings on September 24, 2017 at U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by Adam Bettcher/Getty Images)
MINNEAPOLIS, MN – SEPTEMBER 24: DeSean Jackson #11 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers carries the ball in the first half of the game against the Minnesota Vikings on September 24, 2017 at U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by Adam Bettcher/Getty Images) /

DeSean Jackson

A make-or-break year for a three-time Pro Bowl receiver?

Yes, indeed. DeSean Jackson signed a three-year, $33.5 million contract in 2017. After his first season in Tampa Bay, he didn’t live up to the paycheck. The 31-year-old was rarely on the same page with Buccaneers quarterbacks, and he wasn’t able to replicate what made him so special in Philadelphia.

Early indications from preseason play are that Jackson may play a slightly different role than he has in the past. With the new tackling rules the NFL implemented, there will be more room over the middle for quick receivers like Jackson.

Instead of sticking him on the outside and running go route after go route, he could see some time in the slot. He can use his blazing speed to make plays in the middle of the field and open up space for bigger receivers like Mike Evans on the boundary.

The Bucs have an out in Jackson’s contract after the 2018 season. Unless he can put up monster numbers as he has in the past, Tampa will look to homegrown players like Chris Godwin and Adam Humphries to fill the void.

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