Our Tampa Bay Buccaneers 2022 Fantasy Preview gives you the run down on the teams outlook going into the season. Alot has changed for the team, while also nothing. Bruce Arians has retired, and moved upstairs. But the appointment within the building is likely to mean that things largely stay the same.
Then we had the retirement/ unretirement of Tom Brady. But largely, this team is pretty much the same as it was previously.
**UPDATE** The team have suffered some interior offensive line injuries, which is likely to affect them (at least at the start of the season)
Notable Offseason Moves
Additions
- Russell Gage (WR)
Departures
- Rob Gronkowski (TE)
- O.J. Howard (TE)
- Ronald Jones II (RB)
- Le’Veon Bell (RB)
- Justin Watson (WR)
Positional Previews
Notable Players- Tom Brady
Brady dominated the offseason headlines with his retirement, before reversing his decision. Brady turns 45 before the season kicks off, and while at some point he will retire, he looked great out on the field last season.
In this offense, with the number of plays the team runs, Brady has solid QB1 value. The thing that really makes that so impressive is that Brady isn’t a dual-threat QB. With the weapons on offense that the team has, he can rely on his arm talent and rely on them to finish the play.
Notable Players- Leonard Fournette & Rachaad White
Fournette has really come into his own after leaving the Jaguars. In two seasons in Tampa Bay, he has performed effectively on the field and for fantasy. The team have clearly seen enough from him too, giving him a good sized contract, and allowing Jones and Bell to leave the team.
The thing that he has really added into his game is catching the ball. Last season in just 14 games he caught 69 passes. Fournette is a solid RB1 if he stays healthy this season, there just isn’t alot to worry about on this roster or his performances on the field.
White looks like he is likely to replace Giovani Bernard’s role, and isn’t a massive concern to Fournette. He will have some flex appeal at points in the season, especially in PPR leagues. Where he will skyrocket in value is if Fournette were to miss time.
Notable Players- Mike Evans, Chris Godwin & Russell Gage
Evans just puts up good fantasy numbers. It just happens. In this offense, with Brady at the healm, his floor is a WR2 with some WR1 finishes. But with Godwin suffering a knee injury that could keep him out to start the season, Evans is likely to be a WR1. For me, he is a fantastic value in drafts.
His value could increase even more if Godwin isn’t firing at the start of the season. Godwin suffered an ACL tear at the end of the season, so could be forced to miss the opening weeks. Or, if he does suit up, could take a bit of time to get back to his best.
Gage was given a big deal in the offseason, after Antonio Brown decided to leave the team. During his time in Atlanta, he performed well when called upon. The offense in Tampa Bay has enough to support more than one receiving option, and Gage could start the season alongside Mike Evans. I’d be happy drafting him to start the season, then look to make a decision in the first quarter of the season.
**UPDATE** Godwin has managed to get out on the field and participate in drills, which is a fantastic sign that he will be ready to go at the start of the season.
The team also acquired veteran Julio Jones. Let’s be honest, this isn’t the Jones of previous seasons. Instead, this version is showing his age (at least he was last time we saw him) and is likely to operate as a secondary/ tertiary option in the offense. This move, for me, makes Gage’s small hype train come to a grinding halt.
Notable Players- ? & Cameron Brate
There is an expectation that Rob Gronkowski does the same as Brady, and returns to the team for the season. If Gronk returns to the team, then he is immediately a TE1 in drafts. He might be a shadow of his former self, but in this offense the sheer RZ opportunity gives him fantastic fantasy value.
In the meantime, Brate is only really worth considering in deep leagues. Brady will just look elsewhere on this loaded offense.
**UPDATE** Gronkowski has stated that he is still retired, and doesn’t have plans to not be. But, once the season starts we could see that change. Waiver wire add potentially
Strength of Schedule
Check out the rest of the draft kit. And, as always, if you want something more specific to your league- reach out! You can find us on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram.
Image Credit: Kirby Lee – USA TODAY Sports
2022 Tampa Bay Buccaneers Fantasy Preview
