More Data On Bucs Passing Game And Targets
October 3rd, 2025
Where’s the ball going?
Yesterday Joe typed how the Bucs target their tight ends with the fewest percentage of passes than anyone in the NFL.
Joe asked Bucs offensive coordinator Josh Grizzard yesterday why that was. You can read Grizzard’s explanation here.
There were other interesting tidbits from @Doug_Analytics about NFL target rates.
For example, even though the Bucs have yet to have Mike Evans, Chris Godwin, Emeka Egbuka and Jalen McMillan on the field at the same time (or not even Evans, Godwin and Egbuka, yet), the Bucs target their receivers at a higher rate than any other team with the exception of the Chargers.
Los Angeles targets its receivers at a 72.9 percent clip of all pass attempts. The Bucs are at 69.9 percent.
What about running backs? Glad you asked. The Bucs are in the top half of teams that target backs in the passing game. Some 21 percent of Baker Mayfield’s passes have gone to running backs. That’s tied for 11th-most with the Packers.
And if you think about it, this makes sense. Even with injuries to Evans, Godwin and McMillan, receiver is a strength of the team. Additionally, Bucky Irving and Rachaad White are dangerous catching passes out of the backfield.
The Bucs tight ends? Cade Otton is OK and that’s about it. So yeah, why not target your most talented players in the passing game?
Target Percentage by Position
(weeks 1-4) pic.twitter.com/8PPmi8SrUJ
— Doug Analytics (@Doug_Analytics) October 2, 2025