Buccaneers First Quarter Awards: MVP, LVP, Rookie of the Year

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are fresh off an NFC South crown after the resurrection of Baker Mayfield kept the offense alive, and Todd Bowles once again has this team in position to compete for a postseason spot. Tampa Bay is 3-2 heading into a nice little break before taking on the New Orleans Saints next Sunday.

It’s been a tough few days, though, considering how things went on Thursday against the Falcons. The loss is one the Bucs have to learn from, but it shouldn’t take away from all the good things that are happening that have the team on track to finish even better than they did last year.

The Buccaneers are doing everything in their power to show that Mayfield is capable of leading a team to postseason success regularly. While there have been a few players who have underperformed, it's mostly been a very promising start to 2024.

Which Bucs players should be heralded for their play early in the 2024 campaign? Which ones need to get with the program as soon as possible? These five are worthy of being singled out for their performance, be it good or bad.

Buccaneers First Quarter Awards: Who is MVP, LVP?

MVP: Baker Mayfield

If this pace keeps up, Mayfield will have the best season of his career. The Tampa rebirth appears to have been more than just a one-year wonder, as Mayfield is completing over 70% of his passes and has thrown 11 touchdowns against just two interceptions. Another Pro Bowl nod could be coming.

LVP: Rachaad White

White was an inefficient runner last year, but his decline has been so sharp in 2024 that it has allowed rookie Bucky Irving to claim pseudo-ownership of the Tampa Bay backfield. His 2.8 yards per carry average is not going to cut it, especially with Irving playing the way he has been.

MIP: SirVocea Dennis

Since the start of the Devin White decline, Tampa has struggled to find a viable linebacker alternative alongside Lavonte David. While Dennis is by no means a high-end starter, he has become a very aggressive, speedy linebacker who is fifth on the team in tackles with a sack. Dennis has all the tools needed to eventually earn a full-time starter role. If anyone needs proof of how important he’s been, look no further than how noticeable his absence has been since being placed on IR.

ROY: Bucky Irving

He might be coming off a game where he coughed up a brutal fumble, but that’s not how his season should be judged.

Despite the hiccup on Thursday, Irving has been one of Tampa Bay’s best players through five games. The 5.6 yards per carry average the former Oregon running back is carrying with him should be impressive enough on its own merit, but the hard-charging running style he brings to the table is what has really set him apart. Despite his relatively tiny frame, Irving is a quality runner between the tackles.

Best Newcomer: Jordan Whitehead

Whitehead, who had two years of iffy play with the Jets, looks like his old self in Tampa. With Antoine Winfield Jr. limited to just one game due to injuries, Whitehead's play has been so impressive that the loss of Winfield has not been as destabilizing as many have expected.