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Tampa Bay Buccaneers top breakout players for 2018

By Sayre Bedinger

ORCHARD PARK, NY - OCTOBER 22: O.J. Howard #80 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers scores a touchdown during the fourth quarter of an NFL game against the Buffalo Bills on October 22, 2017 at New Era Field in Orchard Park, New York. (Photo by Tom Szczerbowski/Getty Images)
ORCHARD PARK, NY - OCTOBER 22: O.J. Howard #80 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers scores a touchdown during the fourth quarter of an NFL game against the Buffalo Bills on October 22, 2017 at New Era Field in Orchard Park, New York. (Photo by Tom Szczerbowski/Getty Images) /
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The Tampa Bay Buccaneers face an uphill climb in a tough division in the NFC South. Which players will break out for them in 2018?

MIAMI GARDENS, FL – NOVEMBER 19: Justin Evans #21 and Kwon Alexander #58 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during the first quarter against the Miami Dolphins at Hard Rock Stadium on November 19, 2017 in Miami Gardens, Florida. (Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images)
MIAMI GARDENS, FL – NOVEMBER 19: Justin Evans #21 and Kwon Alexander #58 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during the first quarter against the Miami Dolphins at Hard Rock Stadium on November 19, 2017 in Miami Gardens, Florida. (Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images) /

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are facing a daunting road to any postseason appearance with three legitimate Super Bowl contenders in their division.

How are they going to compete in 2018?

After improving their defensive front perhaps more than any other team in the NFL this offseason, the Buccaneers are going to need some players to step up their game at other positions in 2018.

Who are their top breakout player candidates for 2018?

Let’s take a look…

Justin Evans, Safety

The Buccaneers drafted Justin Evans in the second round of the 2017 NFL Draft with hopes that he would quickly become a starter for a secondary that desperately needed an infusion of young talent, and he did just that.

Evans enjoyed a very solid rookie season, playing in 14 games and starting nine with 66 total tackles and three interceptions along with six pass breakups.

It was a nice coming out party for the former 50th overall pick out of Texas A&M, but this season, the Buccaneers will want to see him continue to emerge into a centerpiece of their defense.

Despite playing nearly 68 percent of the defensive snaps in 2017, Evans’ role is primed to increase and he should have a breakout season with his ball skills and athleticism.

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