Predicting the Tampa Bay Buccaneers' Top 5 Fantasy Performers for 2015

With training camp just around the corner, Tampa Bay Buccaneers fans aren't just preparing for what they hope will be a huge turnaround in 2015. Like many other faithful NFL followers, they're building their spreadsheets and rankings with dreams of taking home a fantasy football title this season.

Despite coming off a league-worst 2-14 record, Tampa Bay has quite a few players who are likely to make a significant impact for fantasy owners this year.

The Bucs offense has quite the quiver of playmakers at their disposal, and a new franchise quarterback they hope will put them in a better position to make big plays than they were afforded last season. If their new additions along the offensive line can improve that unit, Tampa Bay could easily see a big spike in offensive production this season, which will make plenty of fantasy owners mighty happy.

Which Bucs players could end up leading you to the promised land this year?

WR Mike Evans

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Not much went right for the Bucs in 2014, but Mike Evans was easily the brightest silver lining in the team's 2-14 season. The seventh overall pick in last year's draft, Evans hauled in 68 passes for 1,051 yards and a franchise-record 12 touchdowns last year, despite a shaky quarterback situation.

This year, Evans should be even more prepared to dominate with a full NFL season and another offseason under his belt. He's already spent time working with Randy Moss, one of the most explosive playmakers to ever play the position, and he's focused on becoming the best in the game.

Evans will have rookie gunslinger Jameis Winston throwing him the ball this year, which should give him even more opportunities to make big plays. Even though teams are likely to roll plenty of coverage his way, don't be surprised if Evans puts up more big numbers in his second NFL season, making him one of the top fantasy receivers in the league in 2015.

Prediction: 75 receptions, 1,250 yards, 10 touchdowns

TE Austin Seferian-Jenkins

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After drafting him with the 38th overall pick in last year's draft, Tampa Bay had high hopes for Austin Seferian-Jenkins, but his rookie season was derailed by multiple injuries that kept him from becoming a consistent performer.

The former Washington Husky caught just 21 passes for 221 yards and two touchdowns in his first NFL season, though he did have moments where he flashed the playmaking ability that made the Bucs fall in love with his potential. He was dealing with a foot injury throughout the predraft process, so a clean bill of health through the offseason and training camp should help immensely.

At 6'5", 260 pounds, Seferian-Jenkins has the size and athleticism to be a huge problem for opposing defenses, especially in the red zone. He'll also be playing under new offensive coordinator Dirk Koetter, who knew how to take advantage of big, athletic tight ends like Tony Gonzalez and Marcedes Lewis. If he stays healthy, expect a big year from ASJ.

Prediction: 55 receptions, 725 yards, 5 touchdowns

WR Vincent Jackson

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He may be the elder statesman of Tampa Bay's receiving corps, but that doesn't mean Vincent Jackson won't have another season worthy of fantasy relevance in 2014.

At 31 years old, the veteran pass-catcher topped 1,000 yards for the sixth time in seven seasons, and he has started all 48 games since signing with the Bucs prior to the 2012 campaign. Jackson has caught at least 70 passes in each of his three seasons with Tampa Bay, hauling in 17 touchdowns over that stretch.

This time around, Jackson is clearly the team's second option behind Mike Evans, but he'll likely end up benefiting from team's focusing on the younger playmaker across the field. Jackson still has the size to be dominant in the red zone, and he's still extremely effective at moving the chains and coming up with big catches in third-down situations.

The presence of Jameis Winston under center should also help Jackson, as the rookie quarterback isn't afraid to pull the trigger and give his receivers a chance to make a play down the field.

Prediction: 70 receptions, 1,100 yards, 7 touchdowns

QB Jameis Winston

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Nothing in the NFL comes with higher, often unrealistic expectations than being a quarterback drafted with the No. 1 overall pick. Tampa Bay's Jameis Winston will find that out this year as he looks to help turn around a franchise that hasn't won a playoff game since hoisting the Lombardi Trophy in 2002.

Winston's college success in the win column is impressive, and he has the tools to quickly develop into a star in the NFL, but that doesn't mean he's without his rough edges as a prospect. His interception numbers went up considerably last season, a product of trusting his arm a bit too much by trying to fit passes into tight windows.

Those windows will only get smaller in the NFL, so Winston is likely to experience some growing pains in his rookie year as he adjusts to the speed of the pro game. That said, he has plenty of weapons at his disposal in the passing game, and the size of his top three receivers—all over 6'5"—should allow him to take those chances down the field with more success than some.

Expect Winston's first NFL season to be quite the roller-coaster, with plenty of big plays and exciting moments sandwiched around some rookie mistakes and questionable decisions.

Prediction: 3,850 yards, 28 touchdowns, 20 interceptions

RB Charles Sims

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Despite having what many thought was an extremely deep backfield and with far more pressing needs elsewhere on the roster, the Bucs thought enough of West Virginia's Charles Sims to spend a high third-round pick on him in the 2014 draft.

The versatile Sims has been compared to a young Matt Forte, who was an extremely successful back on all three downs for Bucs head coach Lovie Smith when he was running the ship for the Chicago Bears. But Sims' rookie year got started a bit late thanks to ankle surgery that cost him the first eight games of the season.

Behind a porous and banged-up offensive line, Sims struggled to find much room to run last season, averaging just 2.8 yards per carry. But he showed flashes of the playmaking ability the Bucs fell in love with during the predraft process, and he also exhibited his potential as a receiver out of the backfield, catching 19 passes for 190 yards.

This year, Sims is expected to battle with Doug Martin for the lion's share of the backfield touches. His leaner build and more upright running style gives Martin the edge as a between-the-tackles runner, but Sims is more explosive and has the edge as a third-down back. The new regime clearly has high hopes for Sims, and should give him every opportunity to be the team's top fantasy back in 2015.

Prediction: 200 carries, 725 rushing yards, 4 rushing touchdowns; 40 receptions, 350 yards, 2 receiving touchdowns

Honorable Mention

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Depending on your league setup, these Bucs are worth keeping an eye on in your fantasy drafts this year, as well.

LB Lavonte David

In IDP (individual defensive player) leagues, David should be a prime target once defenders start coming off the board. His sacks and interceptions dipped considerably last season, but he's a lock for 140-plus total tackles. His big-play numbers should also go up in his second year in the Tampa 2 scheme.

RB Doug Martin

Charles Sims might end up being the most productive fantasy back in Tampa Bay this season, but that doesn't mean Martin shouldn't warrant attention. He's the better back between the tackles, and he's more likely to get goal-line touches. If he can stay healthy and the offensive line improves, he could be a solid value pick.

WR Kenny Bell

If you're in a dynasty league, Bell should be the first Buccaneer on your radar after Jameis Winston in rookie drafts. He may not make a huge impact this season, but he's got the skill set to develop into an eventual replacement for Vincent Jackson, which could make him an extremely productive No. 2 option opposite Mike Evans for years to come.