Dynasty Capsule: Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Jeff Haverlack

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 also 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.

We continue the gauntlet with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

Quarterbacks

Josh Freeman

The acquisition of Vincent Jackson paid dividends for Freeman in 2012 as he eclipsed the 4,000 yard passing mark (4,065)  for the first time in his career.  Combine that with 27 touchdowns and 17 interceptions and you get roughly a QB12 finish in fantasy – solid, yet unspectacular results.

With his second highest quarterback rating (81.6) since the 2010 season, the belief is the Bucanneers now have an offense that should leave little excuse  for not reaching the playoffs in 2013.  Jackson returns to lead the receiving corps, a resurgent Mike Williams was in the discussion for a non-injury comeback player of the year award last season and rookie running back Doug Martin re-established a dynamic rushing attack to keep defenses on their heels.  Tampa Bay brass is expecting big things in 2013 and being that Freeman is playing in the last year of his contract, the stars are aligned.  Aligned for what is anyone’s guess.  We have a hard time seeing Freeman climbing his way into the top ten within his position, but it’s not out of the realm of possibility.  The “it” factor appears to be missing.  Until it’s found, Freeman will continue to be a noteworthy QB2 in fantasy, but with upside potential.

Dan Orlovsky

Orlovsky returns to backup Freeman once again in 2013, the final year of his contract.  There’s simply no reason to consider owning him.

Running Backs

Doug Martin
martin

The rookie leaped onto the scene in 2012, rushing for 1,454 yards and 11 touchdowns.  That said, a week eight tilt vs. the Oakland Raiders saw Martin rush for an incredible 251 yards and a four touchdowns, over a third of his total touchdowns for the year.  While Martin’s final stats in 2012 were impressive, fantasy owners would like to see more consistency in 2013.  Following his breakout performance at Oakland, Martin would rush for over 100 yards only three  more times while scoring another four touchdowns over the same span.  Proving that he’s a dual threat, he also accumulated 49 receptions and added another touchdown out of the backfield in the passing game.

Working against Martin in 2012 was Tampa’s #32 ranked passing defense.  The Buccaneers were out of contention early and often and quickly abandoned the running game.  Expect the Bucs to address the defense through the draft and free agency by adding defensive talent to keep contests closer. At only 24 years of age, and with backfield mate LeGarrette Blount a restricted free agent with no guarantee to be tendered, Martin is in line for a significant number of carries once again.  He should be in the discussion for a possible late first round addition in fantasy for teams looking for a young RB1 with a bright future.

LeGarrette Blount

Blount all but disappeared in 2012, seeing only 41 rushes for 151 yards and two touchdowns.  Now as a restricted free agent in 2013, he’s not guaranteed to to be back with the Bucs and may prefer to explore greener pastures for one of the many teams in dire need of a big back.  Should he return to the Bucs for another year, it’s hard to forecast anything other than frustration for both Blount and his owners as Tampa Bay is certain to give the more dynamic Martin an extreme number of carries once again.

If retained, he’ll be a late round addition as protection for Doug Martin owners, but little else.

D.J. Ware

On occasion, Ware has teased fantasy owners with potential (if you believe 92 total rushing attempts can amount to any amount of teasing).  With good size (6’0″, 225 lbs.) and good hands out of the backfield, Ware has the potential to be a capable backup to Martin should the opportunity arise.  At 28 years of age, and with one more year in Tampa Bay, it’s not likely he’ll be rostered in fantasy without an injury above him on the depth chart, but he’s a name to stay aware of nonetheless.

Michael Smith

Typically inactive on game days and with only return duty on his resume’ as a pro, the rookie from Utah State will attempt to stick around once again while waiting for an opportunity.  At 5’9″ and 205 lbs., Smith has the size to be intriguing and isn’t without talent.  His best chance for touches will be at the hands of a freakish series of injuries or in his second contract as a free agent in 2016.

Wide Receivers

Vincent Jackson

Fresh off a trade from San Diego, the recently-turned 30 year old receiver has shown no signs of slowing and turned in a respectable season in 2012, hauling in 72 receptions and eight touchdowns.  Together with Mike Williams, the two make for a dynamic and talented receiving duo that should continue to cause defenses fits again in 2013.

While never having scored double digit touchdowns as professional player, Jackson has flirted with greatness time and again.  His 1,334 yards in 2012 was a career high and he fell only a single touchdown short of matching his high-bar mark of nine, set both in 2009 and again in 2011.  With an upgraded running game what should be a more mature passing offense, we won’t be surprised if Jackson finally reaches the ten touchdown mark in 2013.  The offense could use a dynamic tight end presence and while veteran Dallas Clark looks to be returning for at least one more season, he’s not the talent he was in his younger days.  Thankfully, Jackson has the talent to produce almost regardless of the supporting cast around him.

Mike Williams

Fresh off a substantial Sophomore slump in 2011, those who picked Williams as a bounce-back candidate were rewarded in 2012.  He didn’t post stellar numbers, but his 63 receptions for 996 yards and nine total touchdowns was enough for a WR23 ranking in PPR formats – a decent WR2 performance for the value of a likely WR3 or WR4 drafted player.  Kudos to you coaches that sought out Williams as a buy low target.

Williams will turn 26 prior to the kick-off of the 2013 season and his detractors worry the player once troubled by off-the-field issues and questionable on-field work ethic will again rear his ugly head.  Without a consistent year-over-year performance history, anything is possible.  What we know, however, is that last year’s acquisition of Jackson opened up space for Williams and his 126 targets was again significant.  A noteworthy stat is the fact Williams has totaled 120+ targets every year as a pro and, every year, managed a reception efficiency just a hair over 50%.  In 2012, Williams’ efficiency was his lowest yet, a meager 50% on the nose.  Much like Jackson starting across from him, we expect the Buccaneer offense to find further traction in 2013 and for Williams to turn in another solid year, perhaps finally eclipsing the 1,000 yard plateau.

Arrelious Benn

Last year was disastrous for the third year player as he never recovered from an early year MCL sprain.  A total of eight games and four receptions were all that could be managed over the forgettable campaign.

He now finds himself in a contract year and with anything but a firm hold as the WR3.  Although he’s got the size to be a difference maker at this level, it seems as though his light is fading as a Buccaneer.  Working in his favor is a depth chart that is far less than impressive, but that could have been said every year over the past three.  We just can’t forecast a breakout season for 2013.  He’s best as a late round flier in the hopes that the light is on in a contract year.

Tiquan Underwood

The 6’1″ (6’6″ with the afro) receiver, playing for his third club in three years, was called upon to pick up the slack as fellow receiver Arrelious Benn was down with an injury.  After 28 receptions and 425 yards, Underwood was matching Benn’s underwhelming stats.  And like other receivers for the Buccaneers, he could only achieve a 50% reception efficiency to his targets (56).  The best thing about Underwood is his ‘do and that’s not enough to roster.

Sammie Stroughter

The former Oregon State Beaver continues to find his role diminishing with every year.  He’s not rosterable in fantasy and there’s no light at the end of the tunnel.

Chris Owusu

We find ourselves somewhat intrigued by the good-sized receiver out of Stanford.  With reliable hands and plenty of opportunity given the current depth chart, it’s not out of the question he could find himself in the slot early and often in 2013.  Tampa Bay is likely to address the receiver position in free agency and middle rounds of the draft, but that should present Owusu with at least one more year to showcase some ability.  He’s worth a roster spot in deep leagues.

Tight Ends

Dallas Clark

Clark started slowly, but picked up speed by mid-season, finishing with 47 receptions, 435 yards and four touchdowns.  Those are hardly difference-making tight end numbers in fantasy, but it should be enough to garner one more year of service.  At 34 years of age when the 2013 season kicks off, one more year is all that is likely for the flagging star of the previous decade.

Tampa Bay and Josh Freeman could use the presence of a field stretching tight end in their scheme.  Clark no longer has the wheels to get distance from linebackers down the seem, but he’s still a quality target when needed.  His 2012 production seems about right for 2013, so he’s no better than a late round filler at the position.

Luke Stocker

We’ve expected more from Stocker since he entered the league in 2011.  The addition of Clark in 2012 solidified his bench position for at least one more year, but now with talk of the Bucs bringing Clark back for at least one more year it would seem Stocker again will be playing the waiting game.  With good size and sufficient hands, we’d like to see what he could do in the offense given the quality receivers on either side of him.  Anything is possible in training camp so keep your eyes on the situation.  We’ll be sure to keep you up to date with his plight and until it plays out, you’ll need to exercise further patience.

jeff haverlack