The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are looking to return to the top of the mountain in 2022. Despite posting a better regular-season record in 2021 than their 2020 Super Bowl winning team, the Bucs fell in the divisional round to the eventual-champion Los Angeles Rams in an instant classing, ending their hopes of back-to-back titles.
To get back to football's biggest stage, Tampa Bay needs contributions from all around the roster. While stars such as Tom Brady, Mike Evans and Lavonte David are expected to make an impact every time they see the field, the under-the-radar players are also expected to step up.
Here are 2 potential hidden gems for the Buccaneers in 2022.
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2 hidden gems on the Tampa Bay Buccaneers roster in 2022
Russell Gage
Gage may be third on Tampa Bay's depth chart behind Evans and Chris Godwin, but his role is arguably just as big.
The Buccaneers signed Gage away from the division-rival Falcons to compliment their two star wide outs, a role previously held by Antonio Brown before he infamously stormed off the field in a contest against the Jets late last season. While Gage may not have the same raw talent as Brown, he should be right at home alongside the two stars.
Gage finished second on the Falcons in receiving yards last season with 770, only trailing rookie tight end Kyle Pitts. He also finished second with four receiving touchdowns, only one behind Cordarelle Patterson. Gage accomplished all of this while being forced into the top receiver role due to Calvin Ridley being sidelined for much of the season.
With a much more potent offense around him in Tampa, Gage should have no problem maintaining or even increasing his production from last season. While he'll spend most of his time as the third wide receiver in the lineup, he may see some time as the second option early in the season as Godwin recovers from a torn ACL he suffered in December.
The Buccaneers will be counting on Gage to provide another layer to their passing attack, and that includes Brady himself.
“He has to have a big year,” Brady told ESPN. “That is a very important role for an offense that throws the ball as much as we do. … Russ, when he is out there, there is a lot of work that needs to go into the next six weeks to be ready. We’re challenged right out of the box this year.”
Tampa Bay has a wealth of wide receiver talent, with Breshad Perriman, Cyril Grayson, Tyler Johnson and Scotty Miller also on board. However, out of all their complimentary pieces, Gage is definitely the most crucial.
Logan Ryan
The Buccaneers' secondary became a target for opposing offenses last season. Tampa Bay allowed nearly 240 passing yards per game in 2021. The Bucs' lackluster pass defense proved to be their downfall, as Matthew Stafford torched them for 366 yards through the air in the divisional round loss.
An already maligned unit took a hit when starting safety Jordan Whitehead departed in free agency. To replace him, the Bucs signed Ryan on a cheap contract after the Giants cut him. The tenth-year safety provides a veteran presence to a young secondary, but he can still make an impact on the field too.
“They know I'm a great teammate,” Ryan said in his introductory news conference. “Bring experience, I have some experience, in the secondary. It's a great, young group, but I just have a little experience to me. Just be a great communicator – help shore up the communication.”
Playing alongside Brady again proved to be a big part in Ryan's decision to join the Buccaneers. Ryan played with Brady for the first four years of his career in New England before leaving the Patriots in free agency. Now, the two are reunited in Tampa Bay.
“Being a teammate of Tom, that's what he's about,” Ryan said. “Playing football at the highest level, practicing football at the highest level. Obviously, the expectation and standard is championship, each and every year and each and every day.”
Ryan played a key role for the Giants' defense last season. He finished second on the team with 117 total tackles, a career-high. He also forced two fumbles and recovered one as well.
Ryan will likely split time with Mike Edwards in the free safety slot, with Antoine Winfield Jr. on the other side. If he can replicate his efficiency with the Giants last season in Tampa, the Buccaneers got themselves a steal.
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