NFL Betting Online: All eyes are on quarterback Jameis Winston, the first overall pick in the 2015 Draft. Is he enough to bring the Buccaneers back from the dead?
2014 Season Record: 2-14 SU, 7-9 ATS, 5-11 O/U
2015 Regular Season Wins Total: 6, +115 O, -135 U
Odds to Win Super Bowl: +15662
Odds to Win NFC: +7983
Odds to Win Division: +971
The Buccaneers used the first overall pick in the draft on quarterback Jameis Winston, who should be a huge improvement over anything the Bucs ran out there since before Josh Freeman imploded.
Winston has all the tools to be successful on the field, but his off-field issues stole the spotlight during his final year in college. If those problems are behind him he could be leading the Buccaneers for several years.
And the team has to be hoping he changes everything about the losing dynamic in Tampa Bay, taking the Bucs on a similar path as Andrew Luck did for Indianapolis after he went first overall in 2012. You might recall the Colts went from 2-14 to 11-5 and in the playoffs overnight. That’s how much of a difference a big-time quarterback can make.
Of course Winston can’t do it all by himself and the Buccaneers have built a solid line for him to work behind. Left tackle Anthony Collins was cut loose after a disappointing 2014 season and the Bucs are now set to start two rookies – tackle Donovan Smith and guard Ali Marpet – along with Evan Dietrich-Smith, Logan Mankins and Demar Dotson. How the rooks perform will be key, particularly Smith.
The Bucs would like rookie Kenny Bell to emerge as a third option for the receiving core that includes productive vets Mike Evans and Vincent Jackson. Doug Martin will handle a majority of the snaps out of the backfield with Bobby Rainey as his backup.
The Buccaneers tried to upgrade the safety spot as well, but Chris Conte and D.J. Swearinger could be the worst pair at the position if they both wind up starting. Conte was awful with the Chicago Bears the past few years, and there’s a reason why Swearinger was let go after just two seasons with the Houston Texans.
There are questions about how Bruce Carter will perform in the middle, but overall the linebackers are the strongest unit on their defense. Lavonte David remains one of the best and Danny Lansanah was solid against the run and in coverage.
KEY ADDITIONS: DT Henry Melton, CB Sterling Moore, LB Bruce Carter, FS Chris Conte, SS D.J. Swearinger, DE George Johnson.
KEY LOSSES: DE Michael Johnson, LB Mason Foster, S Dashon Goldson, OT Anthony Collins, QB Josh McCown.
If Winston is the real deal, the Buccaneers could be the feel good story of the year in the NFL. Don’t rule out Tampa Bay taking a gigantic leap, but six or seven wins and flashes of elite play from the No. 1 pick would make for a solid first step.
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