Heading into this season, there is high-end talent across the Bucs roster. While the elephant in the room is that many do not see that being the case at quarterback, it is at pretty much every other area on the team.

Who would get the nod if one had to list the top three Bucs in 2023? Veterans like Lavonte David, Mike Evans, or Ryan Jensen? Young core players like Chris Godwin, Tristan Wirfs, Antoine Winfield Jr., or Vita Vea?

It is not as easy to narrow it down as you may think.

PFF Lists Top Three Bucs Players – Starting With Tristan Wirfs

As the buildup to the upcoming season continues, Pro Football Focus has been doing countless position rankings and listing the top players on each team in the NFL.

For the Bucs, they put them in the order of Tristan Wirfs, Lavonte David, and Mike Evans. What did they have to say about who the best players are in Tampa Bay?

“Though Tom Brady is now retired, this was still a tough roster to get down to three. Wirfs has been one of the best offensive tackles in the league since being drafted in 2020, and he earned a career-high 90.5 pass-blocking grade last season. Despite being on the wrong side of 30, David earned an 85.1 overall grade, which was the third-best mark of his career. Evans beats out Ryan Jensen, Vita Vea, Antoine Winfield Jr., and Chris Godwin. His making history with nine straight 1,000-yard seasons gives him the nod here.”

It is hard to argue with the selections here, as they are some of the best players on the team and at their respective positions. However, there are some looming question marks for each of them.

Starting with Tristan Wirfs, he has been one of the premier right tackles in the league since being drafted in 2020 and, at age 24, is well on his way to becoming one of the best tackles ever if he can keep up his elite standard of play. But he will be moving to left tackle in 2023. Regardless of how elite he has been, it will take some adjusting to get down the technique as well as the schemes and formations of a completely new offensive system.

Lavonte David Still Going Strong At Age 33

Bucs Lavonte David – Photo by: Cliff Welch/PR

Lavonte David has been a model of consistency and a key player on the Bucs since being drafted in 2012. He ranks third all-time in franchise history in total tackles, with his 1,346 just behind Ronde Barber’s 1,428 and Derrick Brooks’ team-leading 2,198.

The perennially underrated player even turned back the clock last season. David played all 17 games while recording 124 total tackles and three sacks. It was his highest tackle mark since 2015, and he did not show much sign of slowing down patrolling the middle of the field.

But, as PFF alluded to, he is 33, and it is worth wondering just how long he can keep it up. The list of Hall of Fame inside linebackers producing into their late-30s is not long, but David will get the benefit of the doubt until there is a dip in his play.

Mike Evans Gets National Respect

Bucs WRs Mike Evans – Photo by: Cliff Welch/PR

The last player on the list is Mike Evans. Similar to David, it is fair to say he has been underappreciated across the league, especially when receivers are in the spotlight more than ever. But looking at his body of work, the production speaks for itself.

Of course there are the nine consecutive 1,000-yard seasons. Before turning 30, he has over 10,000 receiving yards and 81 touchdowns. It will not take much more for him to secure a bust in Canton, Ohio.

So what is the looming question for him? A new quarterback throwing him the football. Besides his rookie season and the “Fitzmagic” cameo in Tampa Bay, Evans has only had Jameis Winston and Tom Brady throwing the ball to him. That will change this season, as Baker Mayfield and Kyle Trask are tasked with that responsibility. It may just be a minor change for him as he has proven that he can put up numbers and affect games regardless of who is under center, but there are plenty of moving parts around him on offense.

A Case For Other Bucs

Tristan Wirfs, Lavonte David, and Mike Evans are each worthy selections this season as the Bucs’ best players, but others deserve consideration. That group includes Ryan Jensen, Chris Godwin, Antoine Winfield Jr., and Vita Vea.

After tearing his MCL, ACL, and PCL, Ryan Jensen missed the regular season. After his major injury, the obvious concern is being able to hold up for a whole season and being 32 years old. But before his injury, he was a Pro Bowl-level center and, along with Tristan Wirfs, an anchor on the offensive line. A return to his previous level of play will give him a case.

Chris Godwin’s explosion is coming back, much to the dismay of defensive backs everywhere. The Bucs have an enviable duo at the top of the wide receiver depth chart, and they may be the best duo in the league.

Bucs S Antoine Winfield, Jr. – Photo by: Cliff Welch/PR

Although he played in 15 games last year and had a 1,000-yard season, a full offseason to recover from his torn ACL could mean even bigger things in store and a place as one of the team’s top players.

Switching back over to the defensive side of the ball, there is plenty to like about the unit. Since being drafted, Antoine Winfield Jr. has been one of the league’s best safeties and is moving back there full-time this season.

Whether he is in coverage or blitzing, he has a track record of making plays. With the secondary suffering losses in free agency, he will be entrusted to help create plenty of them, and a big season could solidify his claim.

Lastly is Vita Vea. Not many true-nose tackles lead their team in sacks, but that is what Vea did last season for a defense that finished seventh in that category. Although his 6.5 sacks were a career-high, he wreaks havoc up the middle and forces defenses to gameplan double teams against him. Although he has more help on the defensive line and on the edge in rookies Calijah Kancey, YaYa Diaby, and Jose Ramirez, it is still Vea’s defensive line to captain.

Considering who the Bucs’ best players are heading into this season is a positive exercise. Picking three top players is not easy; who would be your choices? Leave them in the comments below.