CBS Sports' Pete Prisco: "People Are Sleeping" On The Bucs (2024)

After the Falcons signed quarterback Kirk Cousins this offseason, they have been pegged as the team to beat in the NFC South despite the Bucs having won the division the past three seasons and having four straight playoff appearances.

It is not new for Tampa Bay to be counted out, but after watching the team at mandatory mini-camp this week, CBS Sports’ Pete Prisco is of a different opinion. One where he sees the Bucs being slept on and which players have stood out to him.

“A Lot Of People Are Sleeping” On The Bucs

Pete Prisco shared a handful of observations on X throughout the morning on Wednesday, the first being a general overview of how he sees this year’s Bucs team.

Prisco thinks that Tampa Bay being slept on, and they are his pick to win the NFC South again. One of the reasons he lists for the team getting better is that the offensive line appears to be bigger and tougher than they were last season.

Not only did the group add center Graham Barton into the mix by selecting him in the first round, but the team also added left guards Ben Bredeson and Sua Opeta in free agency in the hopes of getting more consistent play from the position.

It isn’t just the new guys that will look to make the offensive line bigger and better, though. Right guard Cody Mauch has gained more mass himself over the offseason, adding 12-15 pounds as his primary focus was getting stronger to avoid being pushed back at the line scrimmage by bigger opponents.

With Mauch and the rest of the offensive line settling into their posts, so is quarterback Baker Mayfield. After re-signing with the Bucs on a three-year, $100 million deal, Mayfield has newfound stability and can make himself more at home this season in Tampa Bay. He is already a captain and known for being a vocal leader, but he stated earlier this month at OTAs that he is “trying to be more in command.”

Pete Prisco Is High On These Bucs Players Heading Into The Season

Pete Prisco also took the time to highlight some of the other players and positions that caught his eye. Prisco started by complimenting third-round pick wide receiver Jalen McMillan, who has already stood out by making plenty of plays at practice.

“Bucs rookie WR Jalen McMillan, a player I loved and was on my Better-Than team, will be an immediate contributor,” Prisco posted on X. “He caught a TD pass Tuesday from Mayfield. Knows how to get open.”

Further on the topic of offense, he also commented on how the focus of running the ball and the addition of Graham Barton will aim to help the run game have more success. In particular, Rachaad White is ready to find more space and holes to run through in offensive coordinator Liam Coen’s offense.

“The Bucs have to run the ball better, but that is a focus of the offense going into the season,” Prisco added. “Graham Barton will help that in the middle of their offensive line. TE remains a soft spot, but they aren’t awful there.”

It wasn’t just the offense that he highlighted. After seeing Todd Bowles’ defense up close, he is optimistic that the group will be improved.

“Tampa Bay’s defense will be good with their down lineman, now that Vita Vea is in shape. Calijah Kancey could be a star by season’s end. He’s bigger too. The secondary is happy to have Jordan Whitehead back at safety to pair with Antoine Winfield.”

Prisco was quick to mention the defensive line, and with the duo of Vea and Kancey, the Bucs should be able to wreak plenty of havoc in the backfield. On the back end, there are plenty of players vying to see the field and have roles, especially at nickel.

“McCollum and Dean will be good outside at corner, while nickel will be a battle. Keep an eye on rookie Tykee Smith, who has impressed. Rush will come from Ya-Ya Diaby, but they might have to manufacture it with different pressure looks.”

Overall, after coming down to see the Bucs at the AdventHealth Training Center, Pete Prisco offered plenty of positive remarks from an outsider’s perspective. It is refreshing to see that someone in the national media wasn’t as pessimistic about the team as others have been in recent years, but regardless of the narrative made about the team, they have shown in the past that they save their talking for the field on game days.