Highest Rated Buccaneers:
Wide receiver Mike Evans and linebacker Lavonte David are the only two players ranked in the 90s this year, and they both barely met the threshold with a 91 and 90 respectively. Both continue to fly under the radar as one of the best in the league at their respective positions.
Evans is one of only two receivers ever to record over 1,000 yards over the first five years of their career with only Randy Moss, and has been a touchdown machine. Yet at a 91, he remains rated below the likes of Davonte Adams, Stefon Diggs, and equivalent with T.Y. Hilton. What more does Evans have to do to get respect around the league? He is still just recognized as the 10th best receiver in the league.
David comes in as the third highest rated middle linebacker with division foe Deion Jones at a 90 overall. This does seem about right as David has seen a slight dip in his production over the past year or so. However, in Todd Bowles’ new 3-4 scheme where he will be playing in the middle with rookie Devin White, it will not be a surprise to see him make a gigantic leap.
Marpet is the only other Buccaneer that could have potentially been argued to be in the 90s, and it is a shame that he is not. Considering he grades consistently high by PFF, it would only make sense that computer generated ratings would add up to that. However he falls just short with an 88 overall.