Baker Mayfield isn't just a placeholder anymore. Honestly, that was the biggest question mark hanging over Raymond James Stadium not too long ago. Could a guy on his fourth team in two years really replace the greatest of all time? He did more than that. He brought a specific kind of "dawg" mentality that this roster desperately needed. Now, as we look at the starting lineup for the tampa bay buccaneers, the conversation has shifted from "can they survive?" to "how far can this specific group actually go?"
It’s about continuity.
The Bucs didn't go out and try to win the offseason by signing every big-name free agent with a pulse. Instead, Jason Licht basically looked at his own locker room and decided to pay his own guys. Antoine Winfield Jr. got his bag. Mike Evans stayed home. Baker got his deal. When you look at the 2025-2026 outlook, this is a team built on the chemistry of guys who have already suffered through the post-Brady transition and came out the other side as NFC South champions.
The Offense: Baker’s Kitchen and the Mike Evans Factor
The starting lineup for the tampa bay buccaneers begins and ends with number 6. Baker Mayfield’s resurgence wasn't a fluke; it was a byproduct of a system that finally let him be himself. He’s got that twitchy, competitive energy that rubs off on the offensive line. Speaking of the line, that’s where things get interesting.
Tristan Wirfs is the anchor. Period. Moving him from right tackle to left tackle was a gamble that paid off massively, as he’s arguably the best blindside protector in the league right now. Opposite him, you’ve got Luke Goedeke, who has quietly turned into a reliable force on the right side. The middle of the trench is where the battles are won, though. Graham Barton, the first-round pick out of Duke, was drafted to be the long-term solution at center, a position that’s been a bit shaky since Ryan Jensen’s unfortunate injury struggles and eventual retirement.
Then there’s the "Old Reliable" of the NFL.
Mike Evans.
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It’s almost boring how good he is. Ten straight seasons of 1,000 yards? That’s not supposed to happen in a league this violent. He’s the undisputed WR1 in this starting lineup for the tampa bay buccaneers. But he’s not alone. Chris Godwin is moving back to the slot more frequently, which is where he’s most dangerous. He’s the chain-mover. The guy who catches a five-yard slant on 3rd-and-4 and takes a hit from a linebacker just to move the sticks.
Younger legs are pushing for time too. Jalen McMillan and Trey Palmer bring that vertical threat that keeps safeties from cheating toward Evans. It’s a balanced room.
Don't forget Rachaad White. While his yards-per-carry numbers sometimes get chirped at by fantasy football nerds, his value as a pass-catcher is elite. He’s basically a third wide receiver out of the backfield. Bucky Irving has added a nice "slash" element to the run game, giving the Bucs a one-two punch that keeps defenses guessing.
The Defense: Bowles’ Blitz-Heavy Machine
Todd Bowles loves chaos. If you aren't confused as a quarterback when you break the huddle against Tampa, Bowles hasn't done his job. The starting lineup for the tampa bay buccaneers on defense is designed to be fast and position-less.
Vita Vea is the sun that the rest of the planet-sized defenders revolve around. You can’t move him. You can’t really even block him with one guy. When he’s healthy, he eats up two gaps, allowing the linebackers to fly around. Speaking of linebackers, the post-Lavonte David era is something fans don't even want to think about, yet the ageless wonder keeps producing. Alongside him, K.J. Britt has stepped into a more prominent role, providing that downhill thumper presence.
The secondary is where the real stars live.
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- Antoine Winfield Jr.: He’s the highest-paid safety for a reason. He forced fumbles, he gets sacks, and he picks off passes. He’s the literal heartbeat of the defense.
- Jordan Whitehead: Bringing him back was a masterstroke. The "whitehead" hits are back in Tampa, providing that veteran stability next to Winfield.
- Zyon McCollum: With Carlton Davis III gone, McCollum had to grow up fast. He has the elite athleticism—it’s just been about the mental processing at game speed.
The pass rush is a bit of a committee approach now. Yaya Diaby is the breakout star everyone’s watching. He’s got that explosive first step that reminds people of a young Jason Pierre-Paul. Joe Tryon-Shoyinka is still in the mix, looking for that consistent double-digit sack season that has eluded him so far.
Why the Trenches Matter More Than the Stars
People love talking about Baker and Mike, but the starting lineup for the tampa bay buccaneers lives and dies in the dirt. If the interior offensive line—specifically Cody Mauch and whoever is rotating at left guard—can’t hold up against the interior monsters of the NFC South, the whole thing falls apart. Baker is great when he has a pocket to climb into. When the pressure comes up the middle? That’s when the "Bad Baker" interceptions start to creep back in.
On the flip side, the defensive front needs to generate pressure without Bowles having to send six guys every time. Blitzing is fun until you leave a young corner like McCollum on an island against a guy like Justin Jefferson or CeeDee Lamb.
Special Teams and the "Third Phase"
It’s easy to skip over the kickers, but Chase McLaughlin has been a revelation. In a league where games are decided by three points more often than not, having a guy who is automatic from 50+ yards is a luxury. Jake Camarda’s booming punts are also a weapon, flipping the field and forcing opposing offenses to drive 80 yards against a stingy defense.
Real Talk: The Limitations
Let’s be real for a second. This isn't a perfect roster. The depth at edge rusher is thin. If Diaby goes down, who is getting to the quarterback? The cornerback room is also one injury away from a crisis. While the starting lineup for the tampa bay buccaneers is stout, the second string in the secondary is largely unproven.
Also, the offensive scheme under Liam Coen is still evolving. It’s a Sean McVay-style system, which requires a lot of "illusion of complexity." It’s beautiful when it works, but it requires everyone to be on the exact same page. One missed motion or a late snap can kill a drive.
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Actionable Insights for Following the Bucs
To truly understand if this starting lineup for the tampa bay buccaneers is succeeding, stop watching the ball. Watch the left guard. If Cody Mauch is winning his individual battles, the run game opens up. If he’s getting pushed back into Baker’s lap, it’s going to be a long Sunday.
- Monitor the Injury Report for Vita Vea: The defense changes completely when he’s off the field. The run defense goes from elite to "leaky" almost instantly.
- Watch the Target Share: If Mike Evans isn't getting a target in the first quarter, expect the offense to stall. They need to feed the big dog early to open up the middle for Godwin.
- Check the Blitz Percentage: If Bowles is blitzing more than 40% of the time, it means he doesn't trust his front four to get home. That’s a red flag for the long-term viability of the defense against elite QBs.
The Buccaneers are in a fascinating spot. They aren't the "rebuilding" team the national media predicted they’d be after Brady left. They are a gritty, veteran-heavy squad that knows how to win ugly. As long as the core of this starting lineup for the tampa bay buccaneers stays healthy, they are the team to beat in the South.
Keep an eye on the waiver wire moves mid-season. Jason Licht is aggressive. If he sees a weakness in the secondary or the pass rush, he won't hesitate to ship a late-round pick for a veteran rental. That’s the "all-in" mentality that has defined this era of Tampa Bay football.
Whether you're a die-hard fan or just tracking them for your sportsbook picks, pay attention to the trenches. The stars get the headlines, but the guys like Graham Barton and Yaya Diaby are the ones who will actually determine if there’s another parade in Tampa anytime soon.
Key Takeaways for the Season
- Baker Mayfield's Stability: His chemistry with Liam Coen is the engine of the offense.
- The Barton Era: The rookie center is the most important addition to the offensive line in years.
- Secondary Health: The gap between the starters and the backups at CB is significant; health is everything here.
- NFC South Dominance: The roster is specifically built to counter the schemes of the Falcons and Saints, prioritizing physical defensive play and vertical passing.
The path forward for Tampa is clear. They have the talent. They have the experience. Now, it's just about the execution on Sundays.