Rotoworld ranked Tampa's roster as just the 30th-best team roster in the league before free-agency and the draft, and ProfootballFocus graded just two of their players as "elite" (Lavonte Davis and Gerald McCoy) and only one as "very good" (Mike Evans).
They were especially week at quarterback (Mike Glennon/Josh McCown), offensive line (LT Anthony Collins was released after just one season), DE (Michael Johnson and Adrian Clayborn both left via free agency) and along the defensive backfield. There are also big questions at RB (Doug Martin) and LB outside of David.
Much of the blame goes to the offensive line, a line that paved-way for only the 29th-ranked rushing offense, and allowed 52 sacks. Starting RB, Doug Martin missed five games and was injured in many more. He finished with just 494 yards rushing for an average of just 3.7 yards-per-carry. The team declined his fifth-year option.
Last season, Tampa had the 28th-ranked pass defense, and there was a revolving door at safety, but much of the blame has to do with DEs Michael Johnson, Adrian Clayborn, and DaQuan Bowers (all are no longer on the team).
Tampa's biggest strengths are:
1. Lead by Gerald McCoy, no team in the NFL got more sacks from it's defensive tackles than the Bucs.
2. Their twin-tower wide-outs, Vincent Jackson and Mike Evans each had over 1,000 yards receiving, with Evans looking like a potential star, as Jackson starts declining.
3. Lovie Smith. A Smith-coached defense is normally going to find a way, but last season only seven teams allowed more points per game.
Unlike the Panthers, Tampa has drafted very needs-specific.
The Bucs have now spent 12 of their 13 draft picks on offense since Lovie Smith took over as head coach, and have come away with a new starting QB (Winston), RB (Charles Sims is expected to start), WR (Mike Evans), TE (Austin Seferian-Jenkins), LT (Donovan Smith), RG (Ali Marpet), and added starting LG Logan Mankins in a trade last season. That's three-fifths of their offensive line and nearly all of their skill-positions.
Round 1: Jameis Winston, QB, Florida State - Ben Roethlisberger-like on and off the field.
Round 2: Donovan Smith, OT, Penn State - Will get shot at LT. Similar to Cordy Glenn (Buffalo)?
Round 2: Ali Marpet, Guard, Hobart College - Showed he belonged at the Senior Bowl, but full-time?
Round 4: Kwon Alexander, OLB, LSU - Prototypical Tampa-two OLB.
Round 5: Kenny Bell, WR, Nebraska - Eventual replacement for V Jack?
Round 6: Kaelin Clay, WR, Utah - Competing to be primary punt/kick returner.
Round 7: Joey Iosefa, FB, Hawaii - 250 pounder might start at FB.
Tampa Bay acquired the No. 61 overall pick and a fourth-round pick (No. 128) from Indianapolis for a third-round pick (No. 65) and a fourth-round pick (No. 109). They used the 61st pick on Marpet, and #128 on Alexander.
Remaining unfilled needs:
1. The Bucs could use an edge-defender to compliment their DTs. While taking Winston over someone like Dante Fowler was the right move, not getting a Preston Smith (2nd rd), Odighizuwa (3rd rd), or Trey Flowers (4th rd) could potentially be a regrettable decision. Prior to the draft, the Bucs did trade for Detroit DE George Johnson, who had six sacks in a rotational role in 2014.
2. Along with middle linebacker, the safeties are a key to the success of a cover-two defense. Both areas are considered a weakness, with Danny Lansanha manning the MLB, with Chris Conte and Bradley McDougald at safety.
3. While CB's Johnthan Banks and Alterraun Verner are above-average, draft prospects such as Eric Rowe, Quinten Rollins, and John Shaw have both the tackling ability and short-area quickness to thrive as corners in a Tampa-two.
While I am impressed at how the Bucs have made an complete overhaul of their offense in just one calender year, in my opinion, Tampa's offense is too young to be anything more than middle of the pack. Their defense will have to carry the team. While their defense has some star power, there are two many holes left unfilled. I predict a 6-10 finish for Tampa, and another high draft pick.