Each week after every Bucs game, we’ll take a closer look at the snap count distribution for Tampa Bay on offense and defense. We’ll assess what we can learn from who played the most and least from the game.

Here’s a closer look at which players received the highest and lowest number of snaps in the Bucs’ 27-14 loss to the 49ers on the road.

Bucs Offense

Who would’ve thought that wide receiver Chris Godwin would have his snap percentage (80%) tied with another skill position player, but it wouldn’t be Mike Evans? It was actually running back Rachaad White who had the same amount of snaps as Godwin, with Evans just one percent lower.

Bucs WR Deven Thompkins – Photo by: USA Today

Trey Palmer, who had the most snaps out of wide receivers last week, had 72% of the snaps in this game. While Deven Thompkins only was in for 23% of the plays, his was presence was felt more. Palmer only had one catch while and Thompkins didn’t have any, but he did have rush that went for 17 yards on an end-around, plus had a great, 51-yard punt return that set the Bucs up inside their own 15.

With that said, he also had a costly drop in the end zone as the Bucs were trying to make a comeback.

It was Rakim Jarrett, though, who had the biggest offensive play for the Bucs as he made one catch for 41 yards on the play coming in the second half. It’s been too few and far between for this conglomerate that makes up WR3 by committee.

Offensive tackle Justin Skule got in for two plays when Tristan Wirfs was sidelined. Good for Skule, but Bucs fans hope they never have to see that again given Wirfs’ importance to the team.

Bucs Defense

Todd Bowles went up to the podium this week and said one thing about Bucs’ outside linebackers Yaya Diaby and Markees Watts but then completely did something different. All week Bowles was asked about Diaby and Watts, saying that Diaby in particular would get more playing time and mentioning that Watt has earned more snaps. But after the game, Diaby’s 35% was behind Shaq Barrett (65%) and Joe Tryon-Shoyinka (57%).

Bucs OLB YaYa Diaby – Photo by: USA Today

Diaby recorded four tackles, two sacks and two quarterback hits in the game. Tryon-Shoyinka on the other hand had zero tackles, zero tackles for loss, zero sacks, zero quarterback hits. He literally did not have a stat. Markees Watts by the way, only got three snaps. What more needs to be said?

The Bucs suffered a myriad of injuries in the game, including a secondary that was already without safety Ryan Neal. Cornerbacks Carlton Davis III and Jamel Dean both exited the game early in the third quarter. That put Zyon McCollum into action quickly and rookie Josh Hayes got his first playing time on defense as well at 25%.

With Neal out the Bucs added a different wrinkle, using rookie Kaevon Merriewather often in the game at safety. He played most amongst the safeties at 57%, followed by Dee Delaney at 33% and Christian Izien. That was the most Merriweather has been involved in his rookie career.

Lavonte David left the game early as well, a sight no Bucs fan wanted to see. Rookie SirVocea Dennis came in to replace him and played 28%. When David or Devin White has had to miss a play or two, it’s usually K.J. Britt that would come in, so it’s interesting the team made that move.

Nose tackle Vita Vea reportedly had an illness going into this game. That’s the only reason I could think of as to why Logan Hall led all defensive tackles with 67%, followed by Vea at 63% and Calijah Kancey at 53%.

In what world is your best defensive lineman not playing the most snaps? Last week Kancey had the most, but he was playing extremely well. Vea recorded a sack yesterday, a team-leading 5.5 sack I may add. Hall made two tackles.

Needless to say across the board there were some questionable personnel decisions made by Todd Bowles in the game.