Vincent Jackson Still Has Value For The Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Kim Klement - USA TODAY Sports
Kim Klement – USA TODAY Sports

For most people who don’t follow the Tampa Bay Buccaneers closely, the general thought is that Vincent Jackson is a little washed-up and overpaid. At 32 years old and set to have a cap hit of just over $12 million (the second highest on the team) in 2015, that argument is fairly legitimate. It’s actually kind of crazy to think that he will make almost $9 million more than second-year standout Mike Evans, who will surely outperform Jackson on the field. However, even if Jackson won’t produce numbers worthy of being one of the team’s top-paid players, he still has tremendous value to the Bucs.

Jackson was a hot name in the rumor mill as the trade deadline approached last year, but the Bucs never moved him. I felt like they shouldn’t trade him and then and I still feel like they made the right decision now. Getting a late-round pick most likely wouldn’t compensate for Jackson’s on-field production and team leadership. It would have been a bad move to put all the pressure on Evans halfway through his rookie season. Having a veteran like Jackson to learn from and lean on really helped Evans excel last year.

Even though he only scored twice in 2014, Jackson still managed 70 receptions and 1,000 yards. He has never missed a game in his three seasons as a Buccaneer and has averaged over 16 yards a reception. With a tremendous upgrade at the QB position, I expect Jackson’s numbers to at least be the same, if not better than last year. Even though he is getting older, I don’t expect a drop-off in performance yet.

Opposing teams will surely be concerned with containing Evans now that they have seen the damage he can do. That will mean less attention on Jackson. He will have a great chance to make plays when he finds himself in a one-on-one matchup, which could be quite often. He still may not be the most productive player on your fantasy team, but I can see him making a real difference for the Bucs in tight games this year.

One of Jackson’s most important roles will continue to be as a leader. The Bucs defense has great veteran leadership in Gerald McCoy and Lavonte David, but the offense is much more inexperienced. Bucs fans hope Jameis Winston will quickly become the leader of the offense, but he will surely seek advice from the 11-year veteran as the pressures of quarterbacking an NFL team grow bigger each week.

If Jackson gives the Bucs one more solid season, it could make things much easier on Winston as he figures out the pro game. Also keep in mind the Bucs could save $10 million next offseason if they released Jackson, so he may have some extra incentive to prove his worth this year if he wants to remain a Buc beyond 2015.

David Rumsey is the Tampa Bay Buccaneers Beat Writer for www.RantSports.com. Follow him on Twitter (@David_Bucs) for more Bucs news and analysis.

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