Madden 19: Tampa Bay Buccaneers Player Ratings, Roster, Depth Chart & Playbooks

By Toby DurantHead of Content

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers entered the NFL as an expansion team in 1976. They didn't win a game that year, and only claimed two wins in 1977. By 1979 they were in the playoffs though, and had soon established themselves as a serious NFL team. In the late '90s under Tony Dungy the Bucs became a legitimate contender and in 1999 they made the NFC championship game. They were in the playoffs again in 2000 and 2001 before the reins were handed to Jon Gruden. Standing on the shoulders of the remarkable defense Dungy had built, the Buccaneers won their first Super Bowl in 2002, Gruden's first season as head coach, but since then they have not won a playoff game. In the last seven seasons they have had four head coaches and just one winning season, and now find themselves at a crossroads. Should they continue with the young quarterback they have or strip down the roster and start again? In Madden 19 you can make the decision, and just maybe lead the Buccaneers back to the Super Bowl.

*All stats correct at time of writing

Team Rating

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The Tampa Bay Buccaneers get a 79 overall rating in Madden 19. This isn't great, but it's not the worst in Madden 19 either. It is better than the rating of 9 other teams and tied with the Indianapolis Colts. That puts the Bucs solidly in the middle tier of the NFL. The strength of Tampa Bay is their offense, which gets a healthy 85 rating. This puts them 9th in Madden 19, a remarkable position that makes them a deadly team for offensively-minded players. Defensively the Bucs are less good, receiving a 79 rating, but again this isn't awful. It is better than 4 teams and tied with 3 more.

Lavonte David, Outside Linebacker (OVR 95)

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Age: 28

Development Trait: Star

Contract: 3 years/$26.74 million

2018 Cap Hit: $7.82 million

Best Stats: Pursuit (95), Play Recognition (93), Awareness (93), Tackle (91), Acceleration (90), Block Shedding (88), Speed (86), Zone Coverage (83)

The Buccaneers selected Lavonte David in the second round of the 2012 draft. He was a starter from day 1 and immediately impressed. His range, tackling ability, and coverage skills made him one of the best linebackers in the NFL. In his second season he racked up 145 tackles, 7 sacks, 5 interceptions and was named First Team All-Pro. He only has one Pro Bowl selection to his name thanks in part to playing for a team that does not get much national attention, but David has been the rock of the Bucs defense for his whole career and continues to be one of the best defensive playmakers in the NFL.

Mike Evans, Wide Receiver (OVR 90)

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Age: 25

Development Trait: Star

Contract: 5 years/$84.3 million

2018 Cap Hit: $15.7 million

Best Stats: Catch In Traffic (97), Spectacular Catch (96), Release (95), Jumping (94), Acceleration (92), Speed (89), Medium Route (88), Deep Route (86)

Taken seventh overall by Tampa Bay in the 2014 draft, Mike Evans has been a dynamic threat for Tampa Bay since he first pulled on their jersey. As a rookie Evans caught 12 touchdowns and racked up 1,051 yards. While his touchdown total has fluctuated with the success of the offense around him, he is yet to finish a season with fewer than 1,000 yards and quickly drew attention from opposing defenses. A physical marvel at the position, he can out-jump and bully most cornerbacks while also having the speed to run away from defenses. He is one of the most complete receivers in the NFL today.

Gerald McCoy, Defensive Tackle (OVR 88)

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Age: 30

Development Trait: Star

Contract: 4 years/$57.6 million

2018 Cap Hit: $12.6 million

Best Stats: Strength (92), Tackle (90), Play Recognition (87), Block Shedding (86), Power Moves (86), Hit Power (85), Acceleration (84)

Gerald McCoy was drafted third overall by the Bucs in 2010 and was an immediate star in the heart of Tampa's defensive line. He has racked up 6 Pro Bowl appearances in his career and was named First Team All-Pro in 2013 following a remarkable season that included 9.5 sacks, 21 QB hits, 15 tackles for loss, and 4 pass deflections. McCoy has always been a brute against the run, but his ability to pressure the quarterback and collapse the top of the pocket is what sets him apart from most other defensive tackles.

Jameis Winston, Quarterback (OVR 80)

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Age: 24

Development Trait: Star

Contract: 2 years/$21.7 million

2018 Cap Hit: $10.6 million

Best Stats: Throw Power (95), Break Sack (91), Short Accuracy (86), Throw Under Pressure (84), Throw On Run (83), Play Action (83)

Tampa Bay took Winston #1 overall in the 2015 draft. His career with Bucs has been a bit of a rollercoaster, with off-field incidents and inconsistent play leading to a less-than-healthy relationship with fans. On the field Winston has an 18-27 record as a quarterback, and comes into his fourth year in the NFL with a 60.8 percent completion rate, an average of 3,878 yards per season, and 69 touchdowns to 44 interceptions. With just two years left on his contract in Madden 19 a decision on sticking with Winston or moving on will need to be made soon.

Full Roster & Depth Chart

QB
OVR
Speed
Throw Power
Short Accuracy
Medium Accuracy
Deep Accuracy
Throw Under Pressure
Play Action
Jameis Winston
80
80
95
86
80
77
84
83
Ryan Fitzpatrick
78
71
89
86
81
79
85
89
Ryan Griffin
61
64
84
82
76
70
68
64
HB
OVR
Speed
Agility
Elusiveness
Carrying
Juke Move
Catching
Peyton Barber
78
88
85
79
89
82
64
Jacquizz Rodgers
74
87
91
74
87
83
71
Ronald Jones II
72
93
94
77
86
87
62
Shaun Wilson
67
90
88
78
78
82
65
FB
OVR
Speed
Strength
Carrying
Pass Block
Run Block
Lead Block
Impact Block
WR
OVR
Speed
Agility
Catching
Short Route
Medium Route
Deep Route
Catching In Traffic
Spectacular Catch
Release
Jumping
Mike Evans
90
89
86
88
84
88
86
97
96
95
94
DeSean Jackson
85
93
96
90
82
85
90
82
86
76
87
Chris Godwin
81
91
86
89
82
84
81
84
85
81
86
Adam Humphries
79
88
87
89
85
82
74
82
80
74
83
Justin Watson
69
91
82
81
73
71
73
82
83
71
93
Bobo Wilson Jr
64
87
88
77
71
72
70
76
74
58
77
TE
OVR
Speed
Agility
Catching
Short Route
Medium Route
Deep Route
Run Block
OJ Howard
85
87
82
87
78
74
70
61
Cameron Brate
80
80
75
85
76
73
66
60
Antony Auclair
66
76
82
74
62
57
52
55
Tanner Hudson
65
82
77
77
62
57
53
58
Donny Ernsberger
63
80
79
72
60
55
49
61
Alan Cross
60
78
72
72
59
50
41
57
Garrison Sanborn
42
65
67
50
24
17
13
45
OL
OVR
Speed
Strength
Pass Block
Run Block
Lead Block
Impact Block
Ali Marpet
88
73
88
87
88
83
87
Demar Dotson
86
57
86
88
78
88
84
Ryan Jensen
80
62
90
80
78
83
84
Donovan Smith
72
72
88
76
72
82
81
Evan Smith
70
63
85
72
76
80
79
Alex Cappa
68
61
82
73
76
82
81
Caleb Benenoch
68
73
78
72
72
71
73
Mike Liedtke
66
74
86
70
74
79
78
Leonard Wester
64
67
79
73
73
79
78
DE
OVR
Speed
Agility
Strength
Block Shedding
Finesse Moves
Power Moves
Jason Pierre-Paul
83
79
83
85
78
81
64
Vinny Curry
80
81
82
81
84
83
77
Carl Nassib
79
78
75
79
81
71
81
Noah Spence
78
80
86
80
67
79
67
Jeremiah Ledbetter
71
78
69
85
68
75
61
DT
OVR
Speed
Strength
Power Moves
Finesse Moves
Block Shedding
Impact Block
Gerald McCoy
88
69
92
86
77
86
90
Vita Vea
81
69
97
82
61
82
91
Mitch Unrein
78
73
84
75
56
85
87
Beau Allen
76
60
88
79
60
75
81
William Gholston
74
73
77
74
57
75
84
Stevie Tu'ikolovatu
71
64
90
73
57
76
86
Rakeem Nunez-Roches
70
72
80
75
59
74
78
OLB
OVR
Speed
Agility
Tackle
Hit Power
Play Recognition
Pursuit
Man Coverage
Zone Coverage
Lavonte David
95
86
87
91
86
93
95
72
83
Kendell Beckwith
75
79
80
85
86
77
79
64
69
Devante Bond
68
82
82
77
68
68
78
45
57
Cameron Lynch
65
79
75
76
72
59
74
58
68
MLB
OVR
Speed
Agility
Tackle
Hit Power
Play Recognition
Pursuit
Man Coverage
Zone Coverage
Kwon Alexander
80
87
84
80
86
89
83
70
77
Kevin Minter
69
78
81
84
81
70
80
49
60
Adarius Taylor
69
86
80
79
75
76
77
54
65
Jack Cichy
66
83
81
82
80
54
81
54
62
Riley Bullough
64
81
80
79
83
51
78
60
68
Emmanuel Smith
59
84
84
75
76
56
74
51
60
CB
OVR
Speed
Acceleration
Agility
Man Coverage
Zone Coverage
Press
Brent Grimes
82
87
91
91
81
83
88
Vernon Hargreaves III
77
90
94
94
76
77
81
Carlton Davis III
73
88
89
81
76
72
79
Ryan Smith
72
90
89
87
74
70
68
Javien Elliott
71
86
90
83
73
77
77
MJ Stewart Jr
71
87
89
87
77
72
82
De'Vante Harris
69
88
92
92
69
73
68
David Rivers
64
87
92
87
73
74
56
FS
OVR
Speed
Acceleration
Agility
Play Recognition
Man Coverage
Zone Coverage
Justin Evans
77
87
91
90
74
66
64
Andrew Adams
72
88
92
84
72
63
72
Josh Shaw
68
90
91
83
71
55
60
SS
OVR
Speed
Acceleration
Tackle
Play Recognition
Man Coverage
Zone Coverage
Chris Conte
71
86
85
64
78
65
71
Jordan Whitehead
68
86
88
71
63
66
73
Isaiah Johnson
67
81
86
75
61
62
72
ST
OVR
Kick Power
Kick Accuracy
Bryan Anger (P)
79
95
87
Cairo Santos
75
95
81

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers roster is far from devoid of talent, but they are not particularly deep. At quarterback Jameis Winston (95 throw power, 86 short accuracy) is a solid quarterback, but he can certainly be improved upon. Around him there is little at running back, where Peyton Barber (91 acceleration, 89 carrying) and rookie Ronald Jones II (93 speed, 86 carrying) will have to share the load. The Bucs are loaded at wide receiver though. Mike Evans (97 catch in traffic, 96 spectacular catch) is an exceptional player and can physically dominate any cornerback, DeSean Jackson (96 agility, 93 speed) is an excellent deep threat, while Adam Humphries (89 catching, 89 acceleration) and Chris Godwin (92 acceleration, 89 catching) are good #3 & #4 options. Tampa also have two solid tight ends in OJ Howard (90 acceleration, 87 catching) and Cameron Brate (87 spectacular catch, 86 acceleration).

Along the offensive line the Bucs are in need of help. There are some talented players you can lean on though, like tackle Demar Dotson (88 pass block, 86 strength) and guard Ali Marpet (88 run block, 87 pass block).

Defensively Tampa are less strong. Gerald McCoy (92 strength, 90 tackle) is an excellent defensive tackle and Vita Vea (97 strength, 89 hit power) is an exciting rookie next to him, but the Buccaneers lack a star at defensive end where Jason Pierre-Paul (88 hit power, 87 play recognition) is the best option. At linebacker Lavonte David (93 play recognition, 91 tackle) is a superstar, and Kwon Alexander (90 acceleration, 89 play recognition) is a very good middle linebacker too. In the secondary things are less sound. Cornerback Brent Grimes (91 agility, 90 play recognition) is good but nearing the end of his career, while Vernon Hargreaves III (94 agility, 90 speed) is yet to live up to his draft position. The real problem position is safety, where both strong and free safety are filled by limited players.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers Playbook - Offense

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I Form Close Flex

I Form Pro

I Form Slot

I Form Twin TE

Strong I Close

Strong I Pro

Strong I Wing

Weak I Close

Weak I Pro

Weak I Slot

Weak I Wing

Singleback Ace Pair

Singleback Ace Slot

Singleback Bunch

Singleback Deuce Close

Singleback Dice Slot

Singleback Wing Pair

Singleback Wing Stack

Singleback Wing Tight

Singleback Y Trips

Shotgun Bunch

Shotgun Doubles

Shotgun Doubles Flex Wk

Shotgun Doubles Y Off

Shotgun Eagle Trips

Shotgun Empty Base Flex

Shotgun Split Slot

Shotgun Spread Dbl Flex

Shotgun Spread Flex Wk

Shotgun Spread Y-Flex

Shotgun Trio Offset

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers offensive playbook is fairly unexceptional. You get a decent number of I Form sets if that is your thing, but there is no pistol formation and there is limited creativity in the shotgun sets too. There's no stack look, and minimal trips/trio sets too. Shotgun Trio Offset and Split Slot are the best looks here, along with Shotgun Bunch which is traditionally a strong formation in Madden.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers Playbook - Defense

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4-3 Normal

4-3 Over

4-3 Over Plus

4-3 Under

4-3 Wide 9

46 Bear Under

Nickel Normal

Nickel Double A Gap

Nickel Wide 9

Big Nickel Over G

Dime Normal

Quarter Normal

Quarter 3 Deep

Dollar 3-2-6

Goal Line Defense 5-3-3

Goal Line Defense 5-4-2

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers defensive playbook is a very basic 4-3 one. You have the standard 5 4-3 formations, but you do get the 46 Bear Under look as a pressure/heavy front. There aren't that many nickel & dime packages available here either. You only have 3 nickel looks and none of them change the front dramatically and mix angles. There is only one dime package, and that is the normal one. Big Nickel Over G is likely to be your best sub package, but given the Buccaneers weakness at safety you'll need to improve there as quickly as possible.