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Buccaneers: 5 young players to watch as season winds down

By Ryan Doyle

TAMPA, FLORIDA - DECEMBER 02: Chris Godwin #12 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers celebrates with Jameis Winston #3 after a touchdown during the second quarter against the Carolina Panthers at Raymond James Stadium on December 02, 2018 in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Will Vragovic/Getty Images)
TAMPA, FLORIDA - DECEMBER 02: Chris Godwin #12 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers celebrates with Jameis Winston #3 after a touchdown during the second quarter against the Carolina Panthers at Raymond James Stadium on December 02, 2018 in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Will Vragovic/Getty Images) /
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BALTIMORE, MARYLAND – DECEMBER 16: Wide Receiver Willie Snead #83 of the Baltimore Ravens is tackled after a catch by free safety Jordan Whitehead #31 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the third quarter at M&T Bank Stadium on December 16, 2018 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Todd Olszewski/Getty Images)
BALTIMORE, MARYLAND – DECEMBER 16: Wide Receiver Willie Snead #83 of the Baltimore Ravens is tackled after a catch by free safety Jordan Whitehead #31 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the third quarter at M&T Bank Stadium on December 16, 2018 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Todd Olszewski/Getty Images) /

S Jordan Whitehead

Another rookie makes the list as fourth-round pick Jordan Whitehead may be the Bucs best safety with Justin Evans landing on the injured reserve.

Whitehead made noise early in the season with a strong performance against the Philadelphia Eagles, but an injury halted his momentum. Now back in the starting spot, Whitehead has an excellent opportunity to showcase his skills.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Tampa Bay Buccaneers /

Tampa Bay Buccaneers

He currently has 66 combined tackles on the year and should finish second on the team in that category. The only thing Whitehead has lacked so far this season are impact plays. If he can find a way to force a turnover or force a fumble, it could help get his name back on the radar.

DT Vita Vea

All eyes will be on the Bucs first-round pick, Vita Vea. He performed exceptionally well in last week’s loss to the Ravens. He clogged up holes in the running game and gave the best guard in football, Marshal Yanda, some problems.

Unless he sets the world on fire in the final two games, Vea’s rookie season will be a disappointing one. Mostly due to a long bout with a calf injury leading to a slow start to the year. However, Vea has worked himself back and performed well considering the circumstance.

Bucs fans will bring up the success of Los Angeles Chargers safety Derwin James and other players Tampa Bay could have brought in, but that’s irrelevant at this point.

Instead of harping on the past, take a peek into the bright future. Vea has the chance to be a dominant force up the middle, observe him in the last two games.

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