What are some potential storylines that will come out of Bucs’ training camp this year?
For the NFL, the summertime is packed full of enticing headlines— Hopeful fanbases craving the belief that this season will be their team’s year. The start of training camp is fast approaching so, here’s three headlines that Bucs’ fans should be clamoring for.
Rachaad White looks ‘better than ever.’
Photo by John Byrum/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images
For the Bucs, this one is simple. Tampa Bay has been the absolute worst team in the league, in terms of running the football, over the last two seasons— It is time for the trend to be reversed. The Bucs have invested in their offensive line in each of the past two NFL Drafts and those selections along with the 2022’s third round pick, Rachaad White, need to bear fruit.
White has failed to reach a 1,000 yards rushing or a 4.0 yards per carry average in a season, however, because of the skills he’s displayed in the passing game and the less-than-great offensive line he’s run behind White has largely been given a pass. 2024 will be his third season in the National Football League and he should be primed for a breakout campaign— If not, Bucs’ fans might have to watch another season of three and a cloud of dust football, while White may find himself on the chopping block.
Bucs’ rookie, Braswell, ‘making a name’ for himself.
The last few offseasons in Tampa Bay have seen the departures of some big Buccaneer names. This year, the team moved on from Shaq Barrett, Devin White, and even traded away Carlton Davis. In the draft, the Bucs addressed some of these needs, recognizing they had holes to fill. Round two saw Tampa select Alabama edge-rusher Chris Braswell.
Pre-draft, many believed the Bucs’ biggest need was an edge defender. Tampa chose to address the offensive line first, electing to come back to defense in round two. Licht’s decision could pay off if he winds up with two quality rookies, but it could backfire if Todd Bowles’ defense goes through another season without a true dominant pass rusher and must blitz to manifest pressure. Yaya Diaby showed promise as a rookie in 2023 still, the door should be wide open for Braswell to earn himself plenty of playing time and prove himself worthy of the draft pick.
Mayfield ‘thriving’ in new offense.
Nathan Ray Seebeck-USA TODAY Sports
Obviously, the 2024 Tampa Bay Bucs will not go far if quarterback Baker Mayfield cannot duplicate or improve upon his performance from last season. After finding success late last year, under Dave Canales, Mayfield is in a new offense— one he’s familiar with. Liam Coen will need to keep Mayfield playing like 2023 Baker Mayfield and help him avoid slipping back into some of the inconsistencies that marred his early-career production.
Last season, Mayfield threw 28 touchdowns and just 10 interceptions. He had 4,000 yards passing for the first time in his career and had a 94.6 rating. Numbers like that can help Tampa Bay secure a fourth consecutive division title and qualify for the postseason for a fifth consecutive year. Training camp headlines that indicate Mayfield has an early comfortablitlity in the offense can mean good things are to come.
What storylines are you hoping to hear come out of Bucs’ training camp?
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