Excitement for Offense

The 2014 NFL draft saw the Buccaneers use every selection on offensive players. With defensive-minded head coach Lovie Smith now in charge, not many fans would have predicted the Buccaneers’ first draft to go in that direction, but the offense needed help in the form of playmakers…and that’s just what they got.

With their first two picks in the draft, the Bucs selected Michael Evans and Austin Sefarian-Jenkins. Both players represent two-sport athletes during their high school days who have successfully transitioned to football, using outstanding athleticism to create mismatches for opposing defenders. Evans stands at 6’5” with good speed for a player that size, as shown during his combine 4o-yard dash time of 4.53. Sefarian-Jenkins stands just a hair shy of 6’6” (according to his NFL.com Draft Profile), and says he’s recently run in the 4.6 range with a trainer. The combination of size and speed that these two players have, when combined with the talent that was already on the Buccaneers roster, will definitely present problems for opposing defenses.

Evans has consistently drawn comparisons to his new teammate, Vincent Jackson; however, he could actually be surpass Vincent Jackson’s best in the very near future. That’s no knock on V-Jax—and some may consider that an optimistic viewpoint—but I believe it is a very real possibility when considering a couple of things:

1.     Mike Evans is, as of May 8, 2014, the No. 2 receiver for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

*      There is not a single receiver on the Bucs roster besides Vincent Jackson who has the talent of Mike Evans. The No. 2 spot is his to lose.

2.     Evans will be mentored by a wise Vincent Jackson.

*      Since becoming a full-time starter in 2007, Vincent Jackson has failed to reach 1,000 yards receiving just twice—once in his first year as full-time starter and another time in 2010, when he only played in 5 games due to legal issues and a contract holdout. Other than those two seasons (as a full-time starter), Jackson has been great, averaging 1195 yards and 8 touchdowns. They may not be elite numbers, but Evans will greatly benefit from having an older, wiser Jackson who can teach him how to use his skills to have great success.

Evans presents a matchup problem for any defender. He’ll be too big for most cornerbacks, and often to fast for safeties. With work on his route running and truly dedicating himself to being a student of the game, he could indeed develop into a special receiver—one that Tampa has never had on its roster.

And then there’s Austin Sefarian-Jenkins—another big playmaking receiver for this new Buccaneers offense. Standing between 6’5” and 6’6” with great athleticism for the position, he’s a matchup nightmare as well. His combination of speed and strength will present problems for linebackers and safeties in both the passing and running game.  Some have compared his skillset and abilities to Rob Gronkowski and Jimmy Graham, and that’s great company to be in. In fact, Gronkowski’s NFL Draft Profile features a scouting report that is very comparable to that of Sefarian-Jenkins.

With added size, the Buccaneers have an imposing group of receivers who all excel at making tough, contested catches, but can also work the middle and deep parts of the field in the passing game. And with a “defensive-minded” coach at the helm, fans are once again excited for offense in Tampa Bay.