Halfway through the 2021 season, the Bucs are 6-2 and playing well on offense. Tampa Bay ranks first in points per game (32.5), first in passing yards per game and third in total yards per game. Here are my midseason grades for each Bucs offensive player to play over 100 snaps this season.

QB Tom Brady: A+

On Pace For: 491-729 (67.4 percent)/5,631 yards/53 TDs/10 interceptions/25 sacks

Analysis: Brady is on pace to set single-season records in almost every major passing category this season. In the Bucs two losses, he’s been their best player, doing everything he can to drag them back from the jaws of defeat. Even, like in Week 8, despite the officials. It’s been a special season for Brady, who should be atop the MVP conversation.

RB Leonard Fournette: A-

On Pace For: 215 carries/933 yards/9 rushing TDs – 64 catches, 508 yards, 0 receiving TDs

Analysis: The most shocking season by any Bucs player has belonged to Fournette. He’s seized control of the feature running back job due to Ronald Jones’ continued failures, but Fournette has maximized his opportunity too. The most impressive change has been Fournette’s strong play in the passing game. He’s forced a plethora of missed tackles after the catch, and been a positive force in pass protection. Nobody expected those improvements after last season.

Bucs RB Ronald Jones II – Photo by: Cliff Welch/PR

RB Ronald Jones: D

On Pace For: 94 carries/412 yards/2 rushing TDs – 8 catches/83 yards/0 TDs

Analysis: Jones fall from grace has been disappointing to watch. After nearly rushing for 1,000 yards last year, Jones is getting out-snapped by Giovani Bernard in 2021. He simply isn’t reliable enough as a receiver or pass protector to stay on the field. Jones is running hard and still shows good traits as a ball carrier. But two fumbles in just 48 touches won’t do much to earn him additional chances.

RB Giovani Bernard: B-

On Pace For: 13 carries/108 yards/0 rushing TDs – 43 catches/232 yards/6 TDs

Analysis: The Bernard experience has been a weird one so far. On one hand, on several of his catches this season he’s had zero chance to do anything with the ball. A couple have even gone for a loss, through no fault of his own. Bernard has also barely been used in the run game. 13 carries would be by far the lowest mark of his career. The veteran’s previous low was 53 attempts back in 2019.

That projection becomes even more frustrating when you realize how good Bernard has looked in just a few carries. His explosiveness and balance have been outstanding on his way to averaging 8.5 yards per carry. Bernard has also been effective in the red zone, catching three touchdowns and showing elite route-running skills. Where the nine-year pro can improve is pass protection. That’s typically been a strength of Bernard’s, but has been just average this season.

WR Mike Evans: A-

On Pace For: 83 catches/1,156 yards/17 TDs

Analysis: Evans has been much better than a year ago, when he struggled with injuries, drops and ball-tracking much of the season. In 2020, Evans was also adjusting to playing more reps in the slot, where he’s been better in 2021. Evans route-running has been outstanding this season, and his production shows as much. Where Evans can still improve this season is in tracking and finishing on vertical throws down the field. He needs to keep playing strong through contact, especially with so few calls going his way this season.

WR Chris Godwin: A+

On Pace For: 106 catches/1,403/9 TDs

Bucs WR Chris Godwin – Photo by: Cliff Welch/PR

Analysis: It’s hard to ask more from a receiver than what Chris Godwin has done in 2021. The Bucs star pass catcher has been marvelous in every way, dominating from the slot and outside. Where Godwin has been really impactful is after the catch. Tampa Bay’s leading receiver has averaged seven yards after the catch per reception! That’s fifth in the NFL among wide receivers with at least 35 targets.

It would be nice to see Godwin get a few more targets in the deep passing game over the final games of the year. Through eight games, Godwin has just seven targets of 20+ air yards or more. Evans and Antonio Brown have been the dominant focus in that area of the field. But Godwin has traditionally been outstanding in the vertical passing game when he gets those chances. Expect a few more long balls his way in the back nine games.

WR Antonio Brown: A+

On Pace For: 62 catches/888 yards/9 TDs

Analysis: The aforementioned numbers are Brown’s projection based on the eight games that have occurred already this season, but the receiver has only played in five of them. Brown’s statistical pace through five games actually had him on pace for 99 catches, 1,421 yards and 14 touchdowns. Absurd stuff.

Brown won’t hit those numbers, but he might be closer to them than the numbers he’s now on pace for. In the five games he’s played for the Bucs, Brown has looked like one of the NFL’s best receivers yet again. He really hasn’t had any struggles through the first half of the season. If he’s healthy out of the bye week, look out.

WR Tyler Johnson: B+

On Pace For: 30 catches/406 yards/0 TDs

Analysis: After a slow first four weeks of the season that featured a few route-running errors, Johnson has settled in nicely. He might always be a bit limited athletically and physically, but he’s crafty after the catch and a good separator. Johnson’s ball skills will always be his calling card, but we have yet to see him show up in the red zone this season.

TE Rob Gronkowski: A-

On Pace For: 34 catches/391 yards/9 TDs

Bucs TE Rob Gronkowski – Photo by: Cliff Welch/PR

Analysis: Like Brown, Gronkowski’s projected numbers should come with a pound of salt. He’s only really played in three games this season, and he was outstanding in all three. But it is probably unrealistic to think Gronkowski could jump back to his per game pace in those three contests. He was on his way to 91 catches for 1,043 yards and 23 touchdowns before fractured ribs cost him five consecutive games. As good as he is, those numbers probably weren’t sustainable.

If Gronkowski isn’t hampered by injuries over the second half of the season, I think 500 yards is a realistic expectation. Can he get to double-digit touchdowns? Despite missing five games, Gronkowski is still tied for second on the team in touchdown receptions with four. It will be fun to see how many he can churn out if he’s 100 percent healthy again.

TE O.J. Howard: C+

On Pace For: 28 catches/266 yards/2 TDs

Analysis: Howard’s blocking and receiving have been adequate while filling in for Gronkowski. He’s not made many big plays, but he’s caught the ball reliably and forced a few missed tackles after the catch too.

TE Cam Brate: C-

On Pace For: 28 catches/266 yards/0 TDs

Analysis: Brate has the same numbers as Howard, but on six more targets. He’s had a couple drops this season, a few route-running errors and just generally hasn’t played good football. Brate was a savior for this Bucs team down the stretch last season. If he can get back to that, he can still be a reliable target in the red zone. But so far this season, it’s looked pretty bleak for the longtime Bucs tight end.

RT Tristan Wirfs: A

Analysis: Best right tackle in the NFL? Best right tackle in the NFL. All-Pro, Pro Bowl should both be coming Wirfs’ way this season.

Bucs RG Alex Cappa – Photo by: Cliff Welch/PR

RG Alex Cappa: B-

Analysis: Cappa is the weakest link on the Bucs offensive line, but he’s still pretty good. Cappa has taken another small step this season, especially in handling twists up front. He’s going to get paid nicely in free agency.

C Ryan Jensen: A-

Analysis: Great season so far for Jensen. A step up from last year, which was already an impressive campaign. He’s a big reason why the Bucs rushing attack has improved in 2021.

LG Ali Marpet: A

Analysis: With all due respect to Wirfs, Marpet has been the Bucs best and most consistent offensive lineman this season. If he can stay healthy, he should at least pick up his first Pro Bowl nod.

LT Donovan Smith: A-

Analysis: It’s been a career year for Donovan Smith in 2021. He’s looked like a top 7-10 left tackle in the NFL while protecting Brady’s blindside.