The Buccaneers need bodies to have a return competition
If the Bucs want to improve upon their dominance from 2020, the quickest way to fix this issue is on the special teams front. Half of the recent draft class went towards addressing this issue, but none of the picks are runaway favorites to fill the void of a consistent return man in Tampa.
The Buccaneers are building on one of the worst return droughts in the NFL. The inability by this unit to break off those huge, momentum-changing plays has been a glaring hole on the team for over a decade now, and a change has to come.
Of the current roster, the Bucs have a handful of players that can compete with Jaydon Mickens to take over the starting duties going forward, but it would also be wise to bring in some veteran help in this area to ensure that the best player wins out.
Tampa just needs a player that can return the ball beyond the average almost every time they get the ball. If they can do something else on the offensive or defensive side of the ball, great. Mickens did very little on offense last year, so the staff has already shown willingness to spend a roster spot on a return man if that is all they can do well.
It would be great for Mickens to use this as fuel to emerge as a dominant special teamer, but the Bucs can’t sit around and wait for this to happen. Bring in a few veteran return men, throw them in with the options currently on the roster, and let iron sharpen iron to bring out the best option for 2021.