There’s no question that quarterback is the most important position in the game of football. Much of the Bucs’ season will be determined by Baker Mayfield and how he looks in his second season in Tampa Bay. But football is still a team sport and many would say it’s the ultimate team sport. So excluding Mayfield, who is the most important player on the Bucs roster?

Bucs FS Antoine Winfield Jr. and Falcons QB Desmond Ridder – Photo by: USA Today

In an article by NFL.com writer Adam Rank, he gives the nod to All-Pro safety Antoine Winfield Jr. as the most important non-quarterback that Tampa Bay has. This is what he said about Winfield.

The Buccaneers tagged Winfield and then signed him to a long-term deal, which they needed to do. CB Carlton Davis, S Ryan Neal and LB Devin White are no longer with the team, which could be a concern for a defense that allowed the fourth-most passing yards per game last season. Tampa Bay was pretty good against the run, but why would teams run against this defense? The Bucs have had a bottom-12 pass defense in four of the five seasons under Todd Bowles as defensive coordinator or head coach (DC from 2019-2021, HC since 2022). 

It’d be hard to argue that many other players are more important than Winfield. Fantastic doesn’t even begin to describe to the type of season he had last year with 122 tackles, six sacks, 12 pass breakups, three interceptions, a league leading six forced fumbles and four fumble recoveries.

His signature plays were off the charts with two touchdown saving forced fumbles at the goal line – one against Atlanta and the other at Carolina in the last week of the regular season to help clinch the division.

Any time there was a play to be made by Tampa Bay’s defense, it was usually Winfield. It’ll be exciting to see what type of encore performance he has for this season. While we could certainly argue that having Ryan Neal and Devin White off of the roster is better for the team, that’s now what this article is about. Plus, the insertion of Zyon McCollum as an every game starter, the signing of Jordan Whitehead and drafting Tykee Smith all speak to the secondary improving.

What Other Bucs Would Qualify?

Bucs WR Mike Evans – Photo by: USA Today

Naming Antoine Winfield Jr. as the most important Buc is definitely not a wrong answer. Are there are any other players on the roster that qualify, though? There are two players that jump out right away. One is wide receiver Mike Evans, the other is left tackle Tristan Wirfs.

Evans means everything to the team and their fans. We all know his record holding 10 consecutive 1,000 receiving yard seasons to begin his career. He still very much important for his touchdowns as much as he is for receiving and moving the ball. Evans more than doubled the rest of his teammates in touchdown receptions last season with his 13 to the next closest being four.

While the 2022 season saw a drop to six touchdowns, it still led the team, and 14 touchdowns in 2021 and 13 in 2020 were also so much further ahead than anyone else. Evans finding the end zone consistently this season is once again paramount for Tampa Bay.

Bucs LT Tristan Wirfs – Photo by: Cliff Welch/PR

Left tackle is a cornerstone position in the NFL and the Bucs have their cornerstone guy in Wirfs. Knowing that every game they play, Wirfs can get the better of some of the top pass rushers in the league is a huge benefit that not many teams have.

Wirfs conquered entering the league without a preseason and becoming a Super Bowl champion that year. He conquered moving from the right side to the left side in 2023. If Baker wants to have success in 2024, it’ll be Wirfs that is a big reason why he’s doing well.

Evans and Wirfs are two worthy candidates and there could be a case made for a few others. Check out Rank’s whole article as he gives an overview of the Bucs heading into this season.