The collection of talent that the Bucs have put together has kept them competitive during their current run. With the offense catapulting into a top four unit in the league and being the driving force of the team, it’s no surprise that several Bucs on that side of the ball were found as some of best players in the 2024 season.

Pro Football Focus came out with a list of the top 101 players from this latest season. It was compiled by Mason Cameron, Dalton Wasserman and Max Chadwick from the site. Four Bucs happened to make the list and to the surprise of nobody, it was all offensive players for Tampa Bay.

To preface the reasoning, their entire list is based on performances just from the 2024 season and postseason, and not based on what players have done overall in their career or what their future potential could be.

Bucs Well Represented On Offense

Making the PFF Top 101 list for the Bucs was quarterback Baker Mayfield, wide receiver Mike Evans, running back Bucky Irving and left tackle Tristan Wirfs. Mayfield, Evans and Irving were all bunched together closely with Mayfield and Evans coming in back-to-back at No. 63 and No. 62 slightly behind Irving at No. 58. Wirfs had the best ranking of the whole group at No. 22 and was the third-highest tackle rated and second-highest left tackle, trailing Eagles right tackle Lane Johnson at No. 18 and their left tackle Jordan Mailata in at No. 3.

Mayfield statistically had the best year of his career with 4,500 passing yards and 41 touchdown passes. He had signed a three-year $100 million contract the offseason prior and has lived up to the billing. This is what PFF said about him and the rest of his teammates.

Bucs WR Mike Evans – Photo by: USA Today

“Under yet another new offensive play caller, Mayfield earned an 85.9 overall grade this season, which represents a new career-high for him and ranked him sixth in the NFL. Including the postseason, his 43 passing touchdowns tied him for second-most in the league. His signature performance came in Week 18 with an NFC South title on the line, as he posted a career-best 94.8 overall grade.”

Evans made history once again tying Jerry Rice for the most consecutive 1,000-yard seasons with 11. He was tied for fourth in the NFL with 11 touchdown receptions and could have produced even more had he not missed three games.

“Evans crossed the 1,000-yard threshold for the 11th consecutive season, though it wouldn’t have been so close had he not missed three games due to injury. When he did play, he was outstanding as usual. His 90.2 receiving grade ranked him fourth among qualified wide receivers and represents the second-highest mark of his career.” 

Irving made the all-rookie team and was a sensation for Tampa Bay. The Bucs’ running game has never looked better with him leading it.

“Arguably the biggest surprise from the 2024 draft class, Irving was phenomenal in his rookie season. The fourth-round pick from Oregon was the only back in the league who posted 90.0-plus PFF grades both as a runner and as a receiver. His 90.8 overall grade was fourth in the league among running backs as well.”

Bucs RT Tristan Wirfs and Eagles LB Zach Baun – Photo by: Cliff Welch/PR

“Despite finishing with the 10th most catches among tailbacks (47), Irving broke the second-most tackles after the catch (20). That elite contact balance translated over to his rushing ability as well, as he led the league with four yards after contact per attempt.”

Wirfs made first-team All-Pro at left tackle and also made history. He became the first offensive tackle in the NFL to have first-team All-Pro honors as a right tackle and a left tackle. This was only his second season over at left tackle and he just continues to get better.

“In today’s NFL, a tackle’s most valuable trait is the ability to withstand the relentless pressure packages deployed by modern defenses and keep their quarterback clean. Wirfs exemplified that skill in 2024, earning a league-best 94.1 PFF pass-blocking grade. Not only did that lead all tackles this season, but it also ranks as the second-highest ever recorded at the position in the PFF era (since 2006).”

Any Future Bucs Players That Could Make PFF’s Top 101 List?

There are so many players to look at the over course of a season, so even coming up with this list is commendable by Pro Football Focus. If I were to nitpick and lobby for another Bucs player, Pro Bowl nose tackle Vita Vea may have a case.

Commanders QB Jayden Daniels and Bucs DT Calijah Kancey – Photo by: USA Today

The Bucs are certainly in a good spot to have each player on the 2024 list make it again for 2025 with a couple of more additions. Vea is always in the mix and fellow defensive tackle Calijah Kancey, who led the Bucs with 7.5 sacks, could very well be added if he is able to begin the season healthy and play a full year.

Safety Antoine Winfield Jr, who was an All-Pro last season, should certainly regain his form if he as well can avoid injury.

Lastly, although he’s currently not on the team at the moment, if wide receiver Chris Godwin returns to Tampa Bay, he has a very good shot at being a top 101 players. At one point, Godwin was third in the league in receiving yards before his season ending injury in Week 7. His stats were better than Mike Evans at the time and he’ll be the driving force of the passing game again if he’s re-signed as expected.

With all of this talent, the Bucs are poised to contend for another NFC South championship in 2025 and perhaps will contend for the Super Bowl this season.