Dynasty Capsule: Tampa Bay Bucs

As part of the premium content package, we’re again unveiling dynasty capsules for every team in the NFL leading up to free agency and the NFL Draft. This year, we’re again going to do a follow-up on all the teams after all the free agency and NFL Draft movement to assess the impact of any players teams have gained or lost. Since these capsules are always done as a simple snapshot in time, we figured that was the best way to tackle the off-season and provide ultimate value for our subscribers. All in all, we’ll have close to 500 player profiles found in these capsules over the off-season.

Quarterbacks

Mike Glennon

Last year’s third round pick took over for Josh Freeman in Week Four and never looked back.  Sure, the young signal caller moves and looks like a scarecrow out there, but he has poise in the pocket, a strong arm and is willing to hold on to the ball to make a completion. Despite losing two of their best offensive weapons in Doug Martin and Mike Williams, Glennon managed to throw for over 2,600 yards with ten more touchdowns (19) than interceptions (9). The Bucs organization may decide to select a quarterback within the first three rounds to either push Glennon or attempt to take his job – that makes his value a huge question mark, but I speculate the second year quarterback gets the gig for the entire year and builds on his 2013 stats.  Consider him a low-end QB2.

Mike Kafka

The cerebral quarterback is a scrappy player who should only be owned in very deep leagues by Glennon owners, but Glennon owners alone.

Running Backs

Doug Martin

The former 2012 first rounder hurt his shoulder in week seven and was placed on injured reserve soon after.  The young back was well off his blazing pace from his rookie season (1,926 total yards and 12 touchdowns) as he finished with one 100 yard rushing game, one touchdown and one just other game where he had more than 100 combined yards in six tries in 2013. Much of his poor production could have been due to the inconsistency at quarterback, but he was also used less as a receiver.  Reports out of Tampa have speculated the young back will see even less time in the passing game which could keep his overall production down.  I like Martin to have a bounce back year and get back to low RB1 production with 1,300 combined yards and around ten touchdowns.

Mike James

The Bucs 2013 sixth round selection did everything asked of him before he broke his ankle in week ten.  James has limited athletic talent, but is a hard runner who can catch the ball well.  He had one great game against the Seahawks in Seattle accounting for 166 yards, but did very little to inspire his dynasty owners otherwise.  Expect him to see significant time in the passing game and he should be considered Martin’s handcuff.  I would not want him as more than a RB5 on my dynasty team.

Bobby Rainey

The now third year runner experienced an interesting career so far.  Much of his unique workout regiment got captured by YouTube before getting signed as a free agent to the Ravens his rookie season.  Rainey started off the 2013 season as a Brown before being waived in mid-October – that was around the time Martin suffered the injury and the Bucs brought the scat back in for a workout.  When James went down, Rainey stepped in.  The runner had two fantasy smorgasbord games: 167 total yards with three touchdowns against the Falcons and 127 rushing yards and a touchdown against the Bills.  Other than those to juicy matchups, Rainey looked average at best.  Get him for depth, but do not count on that production again.

Wide Receivers

Vincent Jackson

The tenth year receiver did not suffer a lack of production after the quarterback change or even when the Bucs best runner and second receiver went down.  Jackson’s nearly 80 catches and close to 1,300 yards with seven touchdowns was the only true consistency the Tampa offense found all year.  Sure, his 20 receptions for 303 yards and three touchdowns in two games against the Falcons was a little high, but this older receiver is still highly productive. Jackson is his most effective when there are other offensive weapons. I expect the Bucs will draft a wideout early who should help stretch the field.  Jackson should be considered a WR2 and could be a value in start-ups.

Mike Williams

The former artist known as “Tampa Mike” has suddenly become “Trouble maker Mike.”  How did we get here? First, Williams was placed on injured reserve at the end of October due to a torn hamstring. After being placed on IR, Williams missed mandatory meetings and rehab sessions accumulating over $200,000 in fines. Finally, in December the wideout “received” misdemeanor criminal mischief and trespassing charges from causing $200 worth of damage to someone’s home.

Williams was not having a great season before the injury (22 catches for 216 yards and two touchdowns), nor has he impressed his new coaching staff.  He could bounce back, but Williams has a history of immaturity and bad behavior.  I wouldn’t want him more than a WR5/6 on my dynasty team at best.

Chris Owusu

The third year receiver out of Stanford has some great physical tools, but has struggled his entire career to stay healthy.  It was initially the number of concussions he suffered in college and now he has lower legs issues.  Owusu was a big threat in Stanford’s offense with Andrew Luck throwing to him, so there is a glimmer of hope he could develop into a dynasty asset.  Pick him up as a WR7/8 if you feel lucky.

Tight Ends

Tim Wright

The undrafted 2013 rookie tight end from Rutgers looked more like a second receiver out there after Mike Williams went down.  Even his build at 6′ 4″ 220 lbs. is more big wideout-like than a tight end’s frame.  Wright has soft hands and gets open slipping between the linebackers and safeties.  I speculate he might get moved to receiver if Tampa parts ways with Williams.  I would put his value in the TE3/WR5 area as his role is up in the air.

Luke Stocker

The once promising third year tight end produced zero offensive stats before suffering a hip injury that placed him on injured reserve.  Stocker should not be on dynasty rosters.

For further questions or comments, please contact me on twitter @AndrewMiley