CBS put out a list of the top-100 players in the NFL, and only one player from the Tampa Bay Buccaneers made the list; another player was snubbed.
CBS’s Jared Dublin recently released a list of the top 100 players in the NFL as the 2019 season is nearly upon us. On his list, only one member of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers made the list, while another continues to be neglected around the league.
Wide receiver Mike Evans cracked into the list as the 61st overall player on Dublin’s list, behind the likes of Davante Adams, Adam Theilen, Baker Mayfield, and Melvin Gordon. When discussing Evans, Dublin had this to say about the Buccaneers’ star wideout:
"“Evans got back to the Pro Bowl in 2018, setting career highs in both catch rate and yards per reception along the way. And with Bruce Arians now at the controls of the offense, he could be in for even bigger numbers over the next several years” (Dublin via CBS)."
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While Evans may have deserved a bit of a bump on this list, it is hard to argue with a player being named near the top of the league and among the best at his position. One Buccaneer, however, still continues to draw the short end of the straw when it comes to gaining attention around the league.
Linebacker Lavonte David somehow was not even named as a top 100 player in the NFL despite continuing to rack up tackles and stuff runners behind the line of scrimmage. In 14 games a year ago, David tallied 94 solo tackles, the most he has had in the past four years, and 13 tackles behind the line of scrimmage while also recording three sacks as an off-ball backer.
Coming in as the last few players on CBS’s list were New Orleans Saints’ cornerback Marshone Lattimore, Carolina Panthers’ defensive tackle Kawann Short, Buffalo Bills’ pass rusher Jerry Hughes, among others while Philadelphia Eagles’ safety Malcolm Jenkins rounded out the list. David deserved to be mentioned at least over the likes of Hughes, who hasn’t hit double-digit sacks since 2014.
Moving inside to middle linebacker in defensive coordinator Todd Bowles’ defensive scheme will fit David like a glove, and it would be a shock if he doesn’t hit 100 solo tackles this year next to rookie Devin White. The chip on David’s shoulder is more like a log at this point.
Evans continues to be the face of the Buccaneers’ franchise as he has clearly been their best player over the last few years. He and David will look to take their games to the next level in 2019 as the season approaches.