PFF Names Bucs’ Highest-Graded Player, Biggest Surprise
With the regular season in the rearview mirror, Pro Football Focus went ahead and picked out the highest-graded player and the biggest surprise for each team in the NFL. For the 8-9, NFC South champion Bucs, there could’ve been a number of players in consideration for both conversations.
As far as the team’s highest-graded player, right tackle Tristan Wirfs warrants a shout out. He was voted a Second-Team All-Pro this week and had yet another dominant season while protecting quarterback Tom Brady. Cornerback Carlton Davis III has had a solid season himself, as has Jamel Dean. And, of course, Brady is always in the conversation. He threw for 4,694 yards and 25 touchdowns to just nine interceptions this year at 45 years old.
But PFF’s highest-graded Bucs player for the 2022 season was veteran linebacker Lavonte David.
David graded out with an 84.1 grade, with a phenomenal 88.5 coverage grade to go with his 73.5 run defense grade and 72.4 pass rush grade. He also posted a 65.5 pass rush grade and finished the season with three sacks — his most in a season since posting 3.5 in 2018.
Here’s what PFF’s Marcus Mosher had to say about David’s season:
“David was as good as ever in 2022, grading out as the third-ranked linebacker in the NFL. He earned the second-highest coverage grade (88.5) among all linebackers, as he allowed just one touchdown on 76 targets.”
The longtime Bucs captain is in another contract year, and his future is currently undecided. But given his high level of play — even into his mid-30s — and Tampa Bay’s lack of a capable fill-in for him should see him return for another season in red and pewter.
Who Stood Out As The Bucs’ Biggest Surprise?
While a few players could’ve been in contention for the highest-graded Bucs player for the season, there may be even more who can stake a claim to being the team’s biggest surprise of the year.
The play of Dean has to have him in the conversation. Wide receiver Chris Godwin himself may not qualify as a surprise, as he’s an established star. But the way he bounced back from a torn ACL to post a 104-catch, 1,023-yard season should get a shout out. And the solid play of Nick Leverett at left guard after stepping in midseason deserves a mention as well.
But PFF’s pick is hard to argue with. Center Robert Hainsey was picked as the Bucs’ biggest surprise after being thrown into the unenviable role of replacing 2021 Pro Bowler Ryan Jensen after his injury on the second day of training camp.
Hainsey finished the season with a 66.6 PFF grade, with a 72.6 pass blocking grade and a 60.9 run defense mark. He had just two penalties all year and wasn’t credited with a single sack allowed.
Here’s what PFF’s Marcus Mosher had to say about the job Hainsey did in anchoring the Bucs offensive line this year.
“After Ryan Jensen went down with a leg injury before the season began, Hainsey was next in line to take snaps at center. He did an admirable job, grading out as the 12th-ranked center in the NFL this season. He wasn’t dominant by any means, but he was a reasonably consistent player that Tampa Bay desperately needed on the interior offensive line.”
That sums it up well, as no one can argue that Hainsey was a dominant force like Jensen typically is. But the second-year pro stepped in admirably, and finishing in the top half of centers throughout the league is likely more than anyone could’ve asked for when it became clear that he would be replacing Jensen for the duration of the year.
