Last offseason, former Pro Bowl wide receiver DeSean Jackson made the decision to join the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. However, his level of involvement in the offseason didn't go as anticipated as he struggled to step into a prominent role in the passing game.
All of this brought questions about whether he can effectively be a major part of the offense. With a fresh start of the 2018 season laying ahead, quarterback Jameis Winston recently voiced on social media that he plans on getting Jackson heavily involved in the offense to demonstrate his worth.
We got this! I personally will make sure we show how valuable @DeSeanJackson11 is to our team and @NFL https://t.co/osCymbJLJu
— Jameis Winston (@Jaboowins) April 6, 2018
In his first campaign with the Buccaneers, Jackson experienced a notable production recording just 50 catches on 91 targets for 668 receiving yards and three touchdowns. It was a step down from the 2016 campaign with the Washington Redskins where he had 56 receptions for 1,005 receiving yards, which marked his fifth career 1,000-yard receiving season.
Even at 31, Jackson is still an explosive deep-ball threat with has big-play ability that could make an integral part of the offense, especially alongside Pro Bowl wideout Mike Evans. Through his first four seasons in the league, Evans has notched at least 68 catches and 1,000 receiving yards in each campaign. The further involvement of Jackson in the offense could only help further create opportunities for Evans to be a more impactful player on the field.
All of this ultimately falls on Winston's shoulders to put forth an emphasis to throw more balls in Jackson's direction next season. The 31-year-old has shown throughout his career with the Redskins and Philadelphia Eagles that he can excel in a major role if the opportunity is there to do so on the field. With Winston already on board with this notion being a priority, it could lead to a major bounce-back year for Jackson in 2018.
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