We are at the time of the offseason where no football is being played at all by the Bucs or any team and we’re still weeks away from training camp. So naturally, NFL conversations turn to hypothetical situations, as well as rankings and lists for which teams – on paper – are the best heading into the season where everything will naturally be decided with some good, old-fashioned competition.

Senior CBS Sports writer Pete Prisco, who has covered the NFL for over three decades, recently published his top 100 players heading into the 2024 season. Prisco was recently in attendance at a Tampa Bay mini-camp practice and there are fingerprints of the Bucs all over this list.

Four Bucs specifically made their way onto the rankings with two of them making it on after not being ranked the season before. The four to make Prisco’s top 100 players this season were left tackle Tristan Wirfs, safety Antoine Winfield Jr, wide receiver Mike Evans and inside linebacker Lavonte David.

Here’s what Prisco said about each Buc – and their respective rankings.

24. LT Tristan Wirfs

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

He made a smooth transition from right tackle to left tackle last season, continuing to be a dominant offensive lineman. He wants to be paid like it, too, which is why he missed some offseason work. (Last season: No. 46)

31. S Antoine Winfield Jr.

This do-it-all safety was recently rewarded with a big long-term deal that will keep him part of the Bucs secondary. His ability to cover, blitz and play the run makes him a valuable asset to the defense. (Last season: NR)

88. WR Mike Evans

The Bucs re-signed the veteran receiver in large part because he continues to be a big-play threat in their offense. He had 13 touchdown catches and averaged 15.9 yards per catch in his 10th season. He’s gone over 1,000 yards receiving in each of his 10 seasons. (Last season: NR)

97. ILB Lavonte David

At 34, he is back with Tampa Bay for another season and will again be counted on to be the leader of the defense. He might not run like he once did, but he can make up for it with his football acumen now. (Last season: No. 71)

What Do We Think Of Pete Prisco’s Bucs Rankings?

There’s been much discussion over who is most important to Tampa Bay’s success between Tristan Wirfs and Antoine Winfield Jr., so it’s fitting there only a couple of numbers away from each other. On Tuesday’s Pewter Report Podcast we ranked the Top 20 most important Bucs and the play-making Winfield was at No. 2 while Wirfs was at No. 3.

Wirfs ends up being the third offensive tackle on Pete Prisco’s list after Trent Williams at No. 3 overall and Penei Sewell at No. 17. While Williams is a long-time veteran, Sewell has been in the league one year longer than Wirfs and just got a huge contract. The team is looking to extend Wirfs before the start of the season and could see him getting just slightly more than what Sewell got.

The first safety off the board was indeed Winfield, who was conveniently put at his jersey number at No. 31. The only real discussion over Winfield’s placement is where his talents are valued against the most important positions in football. It makes sense that some quarterbacks, wide receivers and pass rushers are ahead of him even though he’s the best at his own position.

Bucs WR Mike Evans – Photo by: USA Today

Mike Evans coming in at No. 88 is interesting because on one hand, he’s about to turn 31 at the start of the season. But on the other hand, he is coming off a season where he tied the league lead with 13 touchdown receptions.

The problem is, there are 13 other wide receivers ahead of Evans on Prisco’s list, so who does he jump ahead of?

Surely, Bucs fans were happy to see Lavonte David even on the list. For years he’s been overlooked for accolades but he gets acknowledged in this ranking. It’s a testament to how great and consistent David continues to be every season.