Fansided

Juiciest training camp battle for each NFL team

By Brad Weiss

ARLINGTON, TX - APRIL 26: The Arizona Cardinals select UCLA Quarterback Josh Rosen tenth overall during the first round of the NFL Draft on April 26, 2018 at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, TX. (Photo by Andrew Dieb/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
ARLINGTON, TX - APRIL 26: The Arizona Cardinals select UCLA Quarterback Josh Rosen tenth overall during the first round of the NFL Draft on April 26, 2018 at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, TX. (Photo by Andrew Dieb/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /
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TAMPA, FL – DEC 31: Jacquizz Rodgers (32) of the Bucs carries the ball during the regular season game between the New Orleans Saints and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on December 31, 2017 at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Cliff Welch/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
TAMPA, FL – DEC 31: Jacquizz Rodgers (32) of the Bucs carries the ball during the regular season game between the New Orleans Saints and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on December 31, 2017 at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Cliff Welch/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /

Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Jacquizz Rodgers vs. Ronald Jones II

Heading into the 2017 NFL season, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers appeared to be a team that was on the brink of being a perennial playoff contender. They have a very good young quarterback in Jameis Winston, and the wide receiver tandem of DeSean Jackson and Mike Evans was one of the best in the division.

However, the Bucs could never get it going on a consistent basis, and ended up being the only team in the NFC South to not make the playoffs. They have a long road ahead of them, but they brought in an incredible talent during the 2018 NFL Draft in running back Ronald Jones II from USC.

Last season, Tampa Bay deployed mostly Doug Martin and Peyton Barber at the running back position. Later in the season, Jacquizz Rodgers started getting the bulk of the snaps, and he is listed as the starter right now as the team heads to OTAs and minicamp.

While Rodgers is a solid back, he did only rush 64 times last season, and is not the kind of elite player that cannot be jumped on a depth chart. Jones comes into this league as one of the highest rated rookies at his position group in this draft class, and the team spend a second round draft pick on him.

The expectation is Winston will take a step forward in 2018, and the offense gets back on track. Remember, they have a ton of talent at the skill positions, including two elite option at tight end in Cameron Brate and O.J. Howard. The division will be tough, but the Bucs could be a sleeper.