Can Buccaneers’ Run Defense Be Improved?

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are heading into the 2024 season hoping they can find some of the same success from 2023, especially when it comes to stopping the run.

The Buccaneers run defense has been regarded as one of the team's best components for the last couple of years, and head coach Todd Bowles loves to force teams to beat them through the air. In 2023, the Bucs defense allowed just 1,620 rushing yards which was the fifth-best in the NFL.

They hope to continue that trend with run stuffers up front like defensive tackle Vita Vea and veteran linebacker Lavonte David. The Bucs allowed teams to run for a first down on just 24 percent of rushes last year and averaged giving up only 3.8 yards per attempt.

However, this year the Bucs will be put to the test facing a plethora of formidable offenses including the Baltimore Ravens, San Francisco 49ers, and Detroit Lions who all finished top five in rushing yards a season ago. Those three teams will be among the most important non-divisional games on the schedule, and it will likely come down to how well the Bucs can stop the run.

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It will be difficult to be as stout as they were last year, especially with the Atlanta Falcons also appearing to take a step up offensively, but I don't doubt that with the talent Tampa Bay has they will be able to hold their own. As the season approaches, it is becoming more and more apparent that the Buccaneers are slept on in many facets of their team. The defense is incredibly strong in the middle with All-Pro safety Antoine Winfield Jr. playing the strong side of the field. Winfield Jr. recorded 122 tackles last year and inked a very lucrative deal this offseason.

The Bucs also allowed just five rushes of over 20 yards in 2023, tied for the second-best mark in the league.