5 Offensive X-factors for the Buccaneers in 2020
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers have an opportunity to do something special during the 2020 season.
The Buccaneers enter the season as one of the favorites to compete for a postseason spot- which would be the first time in 12 seasons for the franchise- and much of that has to do with the major addition of Tom Brady in the offseason.
While all eyes are on names like Brady, Mike Evans, Rob Gronkowski and Chris Godwin, there are other ‘X-factors’ who will contribute greatly to the success of the Buccaneers offense in 2020.
Here’s a look at the top five X-factors for Tampa Bay on the offensive side of the ball.
5. Tyler Johnson
There are different opinions when it comes to rookie Tyler Johnson and the impact he’ll make for the Buccaneers this season, but I don’t think there’s any doubt he’ll play starter-level snaps before the season is over.
This is no offense to Scotty Miller or to some of those other wide receivers who are behind Evans and Godwin, but Johnson is just going to be too good to keep off the field.
As he becomes the third-option in the wide receiver core, we’re going to see him targeted more and more often. That’s going to lead to the rookie making a major impact and playing a valuable role in the success of the offense.
4. O.J. Howard
This is a ‘make or break’ year for O.J. Howard and there’s really no doubt about it.
To this point, Howard has not had the seasons that Buccaneers fans would’ve liked to have seen out of the franchise’s former first-round pick and that has to change this season.
Tampa Bay will be counting on it.
For this offense to have the full force of options for Brady, Howard has to become an intricate part of the blocking scheme, but more importantly as a receiver. He’s going to be utilized like never before and will be able to show the world what he is capable of accomplishing- for better or worse.
3. Ryan Jensen
We can add new pieces to the offensive line all we want and we can sure-up holes, but it all starts with the leadership up-front and at the center position.
Jensen is going to be playing with a new quarterback and is going to be tasked with being a major leader on this offense.
We won’t look at the center position if the offense excels, but we’ll be pointing to it quite a bit if the offensive line struggles or if he and Brady can’t develop chemistry in picking up on protections.
2. Ke’Shawn Vaughn
We’re back to another rookie on this list, but you can’t say that Ke’Shawn Vaughn won’t play a major role on the team this year.
It doesn’t seem that the Buccaneers are truly going to sign a veteran at running back and Vaughn very well could end up as the second-stringer behind Ronald Jones II.
As a matter of fact, Bucs fans should expect by season’s end that Vaughn has emerged as the clear-cut No. 2 guy. If he doesn’t, there’s going to be major depth issues at the running back spot and the rushing attack could become limited as a result.
1. Tristan Wirfs
The offense begins and ends with Tom Brady and the offensive line.
The newest starter on the offensive line is rookie Tristan Wirfs and he’s easily the biggest X-factor heading into this season.
Wirfs will be tasked with taking over that right tackle spot and emerging as a solid protector of Brady. That’s quite the job to place on a rookie.
If Wirfs gets the job done, there’s a great chance for success. If he doesn’t, we could be talking about disappointment before the midway point of the year.
Wirfs doesn’t have the luxury of being slowly brought into the system. He has to perform and make an immediate impact.