Fansided

5 burning questions the Buccaneers must answer in 2018

By Rucker Haringey

Mandatory Credit: Joe Robbins/Getty Images
Mandatory Credit: Joe Robbins/Getty Images /
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TAMPA, FL – JUNE 12: DeSean Jackson (1) goes out for a pass during the Tampa Bay Buccaneers Minicamp on June 12, 2018 at One Buccaneer Place in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Cliff Welch/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
TAMPA, FL – JUNE 12: DeSean Jackson (1) goes out for a pass during the Tampa Bay Buccaneers Minicamp on June 12, 2018 at One Buccaneer Place in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Cliff Welch/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /

2. Will DeSean Jackson bounce back?

There’s a lot of data on how running backs fall off after the age of 30, but the same thing can happen to wide receivers. The Buccaneers sincerely hope that isn’t what’s happening to Jackson. He’ll be 32 this season.

2017 certainly wasn’t a banner season for the explosive wideout. He only came through with 50 catches for 668 yards in 14 games. A closer look at his numbers reveals even more cause for concern. Jackson’s yard per catch average dropped from 17.9 in 2016 to just 13.4 last year. If Jackson can’t be a deep threat for this offense, he loses a significant portion of his value.

The Buccaneers coaching staff will be hoping Jackson spent the offseason getting healthy. They need him back to full speed. Mike Evans has the size to threaten opposing secondaries down the field, but he’s vulnerable to double coverage. When Jackson draws two defenders it really helps open up things for the rest of his teammates.

No matter what, Tampa Bay needs to start planning for life after Jackson. Even if he bounces back in 2018, it’s unreasonable to think he’s going to bounce back to his previous Pro Bowl levels. Jackson might have one or two more good years left, but the clock is ticking on his time as a productive wideout.

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