TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS

by Tim's Fantasy Tips

Tom Brady: Last year’s QB3 announced recently he will return for the 2022 season. Although Brady lost AB and Chris Godwin likely won’t be ready by week one, it should be business as usual for the GOAT. He still has eight-time 1,000-yard receiver Mike Evans and just acquired a new (criminally underrated I might add) weapon in Russell Gage. He’s done a lot more with a lot less. It’s probably safe to assume Brady hasn’t skipped a beat and can be drafted with confidence as a rock-solid QB1.

Mike Evans: Evans is a bonafied WR1. He may not always be the most consistent week-to-week player in fantasy, but he is nothing if not a guaranteed 1,000+ yards. He is one of the shining examples of a high floor fantasy WR. He has not finished a season with less than 8 TDs since 2017, and has averaged 13.5 TDs per season playing with Brady. Consider the fact Godwin will be inactive to begin the 2022 season, and AB is now gone. Heck, Gronks future as a Buc is even uncertain at the moment. Evans could be in for an especially EXPLOSIVE start to the season. 

Leonard Fournette: Fournette dominated the Bucs backfield last season not only in touches, but in overall production (1,200+ yards, 10 tot. TDs, 249 touches in 14 games). Uncle Lenny took over the backfield in week four, he was the RB2 in total points for the next 11 weeks. He missed three games with an injury to end the year, and finished as the PPR RB11 (RB9 in PPG). Fournette accumulated 69 receptions and finished just one game with less than 13.4 PPR points after week four. Considering his rapport with Brady (career PPG 16% higher playing with TB12) Fournette should be considered an RB1 in PPR formats.  

Rob Gronkowski: At this point, we’re not yet sure if Gronk is even playing this year. If he does, I’d consider him a risk-reward TE1. The only risk is health. He is ancient as far as TE’s go, but he is still a beast when he’s on the field and, I’m sure I don’t need to tell you this, but Brady loves him (eight or more targets in 8/11 games in 2021). Excluding the games he missed with injuries, Gronk had just two games with less than 9.5 PPR points. If you draft Gronk, nobody can blame you, but be prepared to have an insurance policy because it’s unlikely he plays every game this season. 

Chris Godwin: There is currently no timetable for Godwin’s return as he recovers from a torn ACL. The typical recovery period for this sort of injury is about nine months, give or take. Considering he suffered his injury in December, it is not out of the question for Godwin to suit up some time in September. But the way he is falling in drafts, you would think he is going to miss six weeks. I’m not saying he does, I’m also not saying he doesn’t. But I am saying, at Godwin’s current price (ADP: WR33, 57th overall via FantasyPros) he is dirt-cheap. Be prepared for Godwin to miss some time, but if you can snag him as a WR3-4, it should pay off greatly in the long run. 

Russell Gage: Here is a name many are sleeping on, but one I imagine has an electric start to the season. Gage will begin 2022 by filling Godwin’s shoes and is sure to get plenty of quality targets from the best QB of all time. We have seen Gage perform at a high level in fantasy before (60+ yards in 7/13 games in 2021, 13+ PPR points 12 of his last 29 games) so it stands to reason a QB upgrade and an increase in opportunity will benefit his production even further. His current ADP (via FantasyPros) is 120th overall, and it feels like robbery. 

Rachaad White: White was extremely productive in college. He averaged 6.3 YPC, and recorded 51 receptions and over 2,000 all-purpose yards in just 15 career games at Arizona State. Exactly how he will be used is yet to be seen, but given his profile and history of production it’s reasonable to assume he could step into Fournette’s every-down role if need be. He is already listed as the RB2 on the Bucs official depth chart. White should be considered a high-end handcuff, and might even possess some stand-alone flex appeal.