2025 Tampa Bay Buccaneers Fantasy Preview
Tampa Bay has reeled off four straight NFC South titles. And after a good offseason and a division filled with rebuilding opponents, the Buccanners are heavy favorites (+110) to win another division championship in 2025. GM Jason Licht focused on retaining core players and addressing defensive needs, particularly pass rush and secondary depth. Key moves included signing edge rusher Haason Reddick and adding a pair of corners and edge rushers in the draft. Tampa ranked third in offense and fourth in scoring (20.5 ppg) last season and appears poised to light up scoreboards again in 2025.
It all starts with QB Baker Mayfield. The overall QB4, Mayfield threw for a career-best 4,500 yards and 41 touchdowns. Mayfield’s 7.8 percent big-time throw rate and a 2.5 percent turnover-worthy play rate showcased improved decision-making under pressure (68.5 percent completion rate under pressure ranked 2nd). He also ran for 378 yards after never topping 165 in his previous six seasons. With Liam Coen in Jacksonville, Josh Grizzard plans to keep the offense intact, which is good news for Mayfield’s fantasy prospects.
Rachaad White had an RB4 finish in 2023, but this is now Bucky Irving’s backfield. Irving had a dynamite debut, compiling 1,513 scrimmage yards and eight touchdowns. Irving was top-5 in yards per touch (6.0), yards created per touch (4.94) while posting top-10 weekly numbers in six of his final nine. Meanwhile, White maintained usable touches, especially in the red zone. White also hauled in 51 grabs, so there’s enough touches left over for him to be a solid handcuff or fantasy RB4.
The Bucs boast a deep and talented group of pass-catching weapons. WR Mike Evans tied an NFL record with his 11th consecutive 1,000-plus yard season. Evans, who turns 32 in August, has shown no signs of slowing down. Teammate Chris Godwin was the WR3 in fantasy points per game before dislocating his ankle in Week 7. If recovered, Godwin will once again thrive from the slot. That gives Tampa one of the top duos in football, but the group was further boosted by the addition of first-rounder Emeka Egbuka from Ohio State. Egbuka is the Buckeyes’ all-time leading receiver with 205 receptions. Egbuka and Jaelen McMillian, who scored eight TDs in 2024, give Tampa one of the best receiving corps in the NFL.
TE Cade Otton continues to improve each season. He finished as a high-end TE2. However, the additions of Egbuka and a healthy Godwin will cut into Otton’s 19 percent target share.
Fantasy Grade: A-
Baker Mayfield’s 2024 season marked a career resurgence, as he led the NFC with 41 passing touchdowns and ranked third in the NFL with 4,500 passing yards. His 71.4 percent completion rate and 7.9 yards per attempt showcased his efficiency, and he tied Lamar Jackson for 2nd in TD strikes (41). Mayfield got even better after his breakout 2023 showing, and the Bucs invested a first-round pick on another pass-catching weapon. Interceptions remain an issue, but are part of the risk/reward of employing a gunslinger like Mayfield. As long as the value is right, Mayfield is a quality option in an elite offense.
After being drafted in the fourth round by Tampa Bay, Bucky Irving broke out as a rookie, finishing with 1,121 rushing yards, 392 receiving yards, and eight total touchdowns over 17 games. Irving averaged 14.4 PPR points per game, ranking RB19 overall, and led all rookies in scrimmage yards (1,513). His 5.4 yards per carry and 91 missed tackles forced showcased elite efficiency. With Rachaad White moving into a complementary role, Irving is expected to remain Tampa Bay’s primary back in 2025. The Buccaneers’ high-scoring offense and Irving’s dual-threat ability make him a strong RB2 with RB1 upside in PPR formats.
Rachaad White enters the 2025 season with tempered expectations after a diminished role last season. In 2024, White recorded 144 rushing attempts for 613 yards (4.2 YPC) and three touchdowns, adding 44 receptions for 303 yards and four receiving touchdowns across 16 games. His touches dropped significantly (11.8 per game vs. 19.6 in 2023) as rookie Bucky Irving emerged, out-touching White in key games. White’s 91.4 percent catch rate remained elite, but a costly fumble and reduced carries (zero touches Week 18) hurt his value. For 2025, White projects as a high-end RB4, likely a backup to Irving.
ADVICE: Tucker had that Week 6 blow-up game in New Orleans with 31.2 fantasy points. Then, he averaged just 4.2 carries per game behind Bucky Irving and Rachaad White. With both still in Tampa, Tucker is little more than a depth target with flex appeal if there is an injury.
Mike Evans remains a dependable force in fantasy football, entering his 12th NFL season. With a more experienced quarterback and an offense designed to maximize vertical threats, Evans is a solid WR2 with upside. His red-zone dominance hasn’t wavered—expect double-digit touchdown potential and steady target volume. While age and minor injuries are considerations, his route-running and physicality keep him a reliable option, especially in standard and half-PPR leagues. Draft him confidently as a high-floor receiver with weekly scoring upside, particularly against weaker secondaries. Evans may not be flashy, but his consistency remains unmatched.
Countless first-place fantasy squads were devastated when Chris Godwin dislocated his ankle in the waning moments of a Week 7 loss. C’est la vie. Before that, Godwin was leading the NFL in receptions and was second in receiving yards. He thrived after being put back into the slot full-time. The good news is that Godwin is expected to make a full recovery. He’ll slot back in as a high-upside WR2/3, but the loss of Liam Coen to Jacksonville and the arrival of Emeka Egbuka could cut into that 26.6-percent target share.
Emeka Egbuka excelled at Ohio State, recording 74 receptions, 1,151 yards, and 10 TDs in 2022 and 81 receptions, 1,011 yards, and 10 TDs in 2024. A 2023 ankle injury limited him to 41 receptions, 515 yards, and 4 TDs. With six 100+ yard games in 2022 but only one in 2024, Egbuka (6-1, 205 pounds) projects as a reliable slot receiver. However, his 2025 value is slightly deflated by landing in Tampa, where he’ll be behind Mike Evans and Chris Godwin in the pecking order. Expect him to spend more time on the perimeter in Year One.
Otton became an integral part of a Tampa Bay passing attack that ranked 3rd in the league after Chris Godwin’s season ended in Week 7. Otton absorbed 31 targets in Weeks 7-9 and posted five TE1 weeks after Godwin got hurt. He ranked 9th in total targets, but his unimpressive metrics paint the picture of unsustainable production. Also, Otton led all tight ends with seven drops. Added target competition from Godwin and Emeka Egbuka will also cut back on Otton’s 19-percent target rate (11th). He will have a hard time matching last year’s volume.
PK McLaughlin, Chase, TB [PK1]
Tampa’s potent offense keeps McLaughlin in top-10 status. Last season, he was the PK4, scoring 142 points and missing just two of his 32 attempts.
The Bucs will give up some yards, but they generate sacks (46) at a high rate and ranked 4th against the run. A pair of Day Two defensive backs and and addition of LB Haason Reddick keep the Buccaneers as a top 10 fantasy stop unit in 2025.
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