The 2023 NFL Season is here, and the Music City Drive In is getting you ready. Check back each day from now until September 3 as we look at each team and make award and playoff predictions. Agree? Disagree? Let us know in the comments.

The Buccaneers entered the 2022 season after a wild off-season. Tom Brady retired and then, a few months later, unretired. After Brady returned, Head Coach Bruce Arians retired, handing the reigns to Todd Bowles. Through it all, the Buccaneers figured to be a competitor in the NFC. And yet, they struggled on the field. The team finished just 8-9, limping into the playoffs where they lost in the Wild Card Round.

Off-Season Changes

This time, Brady is really retired. After one last season, he hung it up again, this time for good. It was part of a slew of off-season changes for the Buccaneers. The team parted ways with running back Leonard Fournette and receiver Julio Jones, both of whom remain unsigned. Scotty Miller went to the Falcons, while Blaine Gabbert signed with the Chiefs and Keanu Neal signed with the Steelers.

To take the reins at quarterback, the Buccaneers brought in free agent Baker Mayfield. Once a No. 1 overall pick for the Browns, Mayfield had an uneven 2022. He struggled in Carolina but looked good with the Rams to end the season. The Buccaneers are hoping to see more of the Rams’ version of Mayfield in 2023. The team also brought in veteran running back Chase Edmonds to provide some backfield depth.

In the draft, the Buccaneers spent a First-Round pick on defensive end Calijah Kancey and a Second-Round pick on tackle Cody Mauch. Both figures to help strengthen the lines. The Buccaneers didn’t add much to the skill positions in the draft but did snag receiver Trey Palmer in the Sixth Round.

Fantasy Impact

Quarterback remains something of an unknown. The Buccaneers have third-year man Kyle Trask who figures to compete with Mayfield. The team also signed veteran John Wolford, who was a backup option in Los Angeles along with Mayfield. I suspect more than one quarterback might play this season, but Mayfield seems the logical choice to start Week 1. He has upside, but I’m treating him as a QB3.

In the backfield, Edmonds and Ke’Shawn Vaughn are in the mix, but it figures to be a backfield led by Rachaad White. White had a strong performance as a rookie, finishing as RB36 splitting with Fournette. He rushed for 481 yards and a touchdown, catching 50 passes. I think he has RB2 upside and will be the leader in the backfield. I wouldn’t be surprised to see Edmonds take on a complimentary role with more of a passing game focus, which would limit White’s upside.

The most settled position is the receiving group, where the Buccaneers are led by veterans Mike Evans and Chris Godwin. Both have WR2 upside. Evans, in particular, has been a machine. In nine professional seasons he’s never had less than 1,000 yards. This season might challenge that, but these receivers are great. Russell Gage is also a decent low-end roster option with WR4/5 upside. At tight end, I loved the rookie effort from Cade Otton. Otton was TE26 in 2022 and I like him as a TE2 in 2023.

Prediction

The NFC South was a mess in 2022 and I suspect it will be similar in 2023. You could make a case for any of the teams, but I like the Buccaneers the least. I think this team could slip to the five- or six-win range and be looking at something of a re-build next off-season.

Matthew Fox is a graduate of the Radio, Television and Film program at Biola University, and a giant nerd. He spends his free time watching movies, TV, and obsessing about football. He is a member of the FSWA. You can find him @knighthawk7734 on Twitter and as co-host of the Fantasy Football Roundtable Podcast.