Five most valuable people for Tampa Bay Buccaneers in 2024

For just the second time in franchise history, the Buccaneers have reached the playoffs in four consecutive seasons. The franchise has never made it five straight years, which it will seek to do in 2024. 

With three weeks to go until the NFL regular season begins, here are Tampa Bay's five most valuable people for 2024, ranked in inverse order: 

5. Wide receiver Mike Evans

Evans is the best receiver in franchise history and has a chance to join an exclusive club this season. Evans can match Jerry Rice's record for most consecutive 1,000-yard seasons. Beginning with Rice's second year in the league, he had 11 consecutive 1,000-yard seasons (1986-96). 

Evans already holds the record for the most consecutive 1,000-yard seasons to start a career (10) after gaining 1,255 yards in 2023.

Last season, he tied Dolphins receiver Tyreek Hill for the league-lead in touchdown receptions (13), and during the offseason, re-signed with the Bucs on a two-year, $52M contract.

Evans has picked up where he left off with quarterback Baker Mayfield, as Tampa Bay Times' Bucs reporter Rick Stroud noted the pair was in "top form" during its first 2024 training camp practice. 

Per Sports Information Solutions' data provided by The 33rd Team, Evans received a 24.5 percent target share rate last year, ranking 18th in the league. He's poised to be just as big of a weapon again this year.

4. Linebacker Lavonte David

To the Bucs, David isn't just a valuable defender. He's "that man."

In March, Bucs general manager Jason Licht told Bucs.com reporter Brianna Dix, "He is the poster child literally for us. We have a picture of a silhouette in our draft room that says, 'I am that man.'"

"And it does not show his face, but it is Lavonte," Licht added. "He is the one we look for every year. He is the standard."

In an article for ESPN, Bucs reporter Jenna Laine shared an image of the poster, which also includes five attributes the team wants in a prospect: accountable, competitive, confident, passionate and resilient.

Those are all words that easily describe David, who's been one of the league's best and most underrated linebackers since being selected in the second round (No. 58 overall) of the 2012 NFL Draft. He's recorded at least 100 tackles in 10 of his 12 NFL seasons but has only been named to the Pro Bowl and first-team All-Pro once apiece, and not since 2015.

He led Tampa with 134 tackles in 15 games last season and, at 34, has shown no signs of slowing down at the team's training camp. During one recent practice, he broke up three passes with near-interceptions.

3. Safety Antoine Winfield Jr.

The four-year veteran was rewarded for his outstanding 2023 with a four-year, $84.1M extension ($45M guaranteed) this offseason.

Last year, Winfield was named first-team All-Pro after finishing the regular season with 122 tackles, six sacks, three interceptions and a league-high six forced fumbles.

Last month, Bucs.com senior writer Scott Smith discussed with safeties coach Nick Rapone how much more Winfield could improve this season.

"Sure he can," Rapone said. "You can always improve... Become a better tackler, get the ball more, get more strips, communicate better. You can always improve in this game," he added. If his position coach is correct, Winfield is due for a monster season.

2. Center Graham Barton

Despite rostering arguably the NFL's best offensive tackle, Tristan Wirfs, Tampa Bay's offensive line has been a mess for the past few seasons. The Bucs are hoping rookie first-round pick (No. 26 overall) Graham Barton stems the tide.

In 2023, Tampa Bay ranked last in rushing for the second consecutive season. According to ESPN, the offensive line ranked 32nd in its run-block win-rate metic.

After playing left tackle last season at Duke, Barton moved to center in Tampa, and he excelled in the team's preseason opener against the Bengals.

The Bucs had 32 carries for 136 yards (4.3 yards per carry) in the 17-14 win, and Barton received an excellent 87.3 run-block grade from Pro Football Focus.

He was part of an excellent double-team with right guard Cody Mauch on a five-yard touchdown run from Bucs rookie running back Bucky Irving. After the snap, Barton crashed to his right and drove Bengals rookie defensive tackle Kris Jenkins Jr. (No. 90) backward with Mauch until he got to the second level, where he blocked Bengals safety Daijahn Anthony (No. 33) into the end zone.