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Previewing how the Panthers stack up against the NFC South in 2019

By Josh Altorfer

PITTSBURGH, PA - NOVEMBER 08: Christian McCaffrey #22 of the Carolina Panthers runs into the end zone for a 25 yard touchdown reception during the second quarter in the game against the Pittsburgh Steelers at Heinz Field on November 8, 2018 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Joe Sargent/Getty Images)
PITTSBURGH, PA - NOVEMBER 08: Christian McCaffrey #22 of the Carolina Panthers runs into the end zone for a 25 yard touchdown reception during the second quarter in the game against the Pittsburgh Steelers at Heinz Field on November 8, 2018 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Joe Sargent/Getty Images) /
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Tampa Bay Buccaneers v Carolina Panthers
CHARLOTTE, NC – OCTOBER 10: Mike Evans #13 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers catches a touchdown pass against the Carolina Panthers in the 3rd quarter during the game at Bank of America Stadium on October 10, 2016, in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Photo by Grant Halverson/Getty Images) /

2019 Preview: Tampa Bay Buccaneers

2018 Record: 5-11, Last In NFC South

Key Additions:

DT Ndamukong Suh, FA

LB Devin White, Draft

WR Breshad Perriman, FA

Key Losses:

LB Kwon Alexander

WR Desean Jackson

WR Adam Humphries

DE Gerald McCoy

Recap:

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers had a disappointing season in 2018. They couldn’t decide between Jameis Winston or Ryan Fitzpatrick as their starting quarterback and the consistency of their offense struggled because of it. Their defense ranked at the bottom of the league in almost every important category as well.

The biggest additions Tampa Bay made in the offseason were defensive tackle Ndamukong Suh and wide receiver Breshad Perriman through free agency. They also added linebacker Devin White from Lousiana State University through the draft.

While those three additions figure to fill in as Week 1 starters, the losses outweigh what they gained this offseason. They lost two starting wide receivers in Desean Jackson and Adam Humphries. Both receivers were significant contributors on offense for the Bucs last year. They also lost starting linebacker Kwon Alexander and defensive end Gerald McCoy.

Based on talent alone the Buccaneers lost out this offseason. However, the biggest addition to the team wasn’t a player at all. Head coach Bruce Arians will take over the helm this year and should improve the team drastically. Arians led the Arizona Cardinals to the playoffs back in 2014 and 2015. Tamba Bay hasn’t made the playoffs since 2008.

2019 Projections:

The Buccaneers lost four very talented players this offseason. This will be a tough obstacle to overcome. The best-case scenario for the Bucs would be a season where Jameis Winston finally proves that he is worthy of the No. 1 overall pick that the team spent on him back in 2015. If anyone can help Winston improve it will be Arians. Unfortunately, this will not be enough to get the team into the playoffs this season.

If the Bucs can play better on defense and Winston can cut down on turning the football over they could finish close to .500.

The more realistic outcome is that they improve from last year, but still finish at the bottom of the division at 6-10.

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