As NFL Network continues to unveil their top 100 players heading into 2019, the first player from last year’s Tampa Bay Buccaneers team makes an appearance.
The NFL Network is currently unveiling their yearly top 100 players in the league from the previous season. So far no current members of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers have cracked the list, but one former player who is now a member of the division rival Carolina Panthers has.
Defensive tackle Gerald McCoy came in on NFL Network’s list as the 75th best player currently in the league for his performance with the Buccaneers in 2018. This offseason, the Buccaneers decided to move on from McCoy after he presumably refused to take a paycut and the team could not afford his $13 million cap hit that he was due.
Last year, McCoy tallied six sacks, six tackles for loss, and 21 hits on opposing quarterbacks. His numbers have stayed fairly consistent over the past three years, as he has tallied a total of 19 sacks, 24 tackles for loss, and 59 hits on the quarterback over that span.
He signed with the Panthers after feeling disrespected by the Buccaneers this offseason, reportedly being ghosted by the organization, then having his number given away immediately to free agent signing Ndamukong Suh. Carolina obtained his services for right around $8 million annually with the ability for him to earn up to $10 million.
McCoy is the first of 2018 Bucs to hit the NFL’s top 100, and presumably just one of two. Keep an eye out as wide receiver Mike Evans is probably not far behind and should soon be unveiled.