Tampa Bay Buccaneers Week 16 Stock Report

The 2015 season is winding down for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, as they were eliminated from playoff contention last week.

But despite the disappointment of missing out on the postseason, the Bucs have already tripled their win total from a year ago and still have the chance to finish with a .500 record if they win their remaining two games.

With so many young players being counted on in key roles, it should come as no surprise that the Bucs have had a roller-coaster season, full of flashes of brilliance as well as ugly disappointments. But for a team that finished with the league's worst record last season, winning six or more games with rookie starters at quarterback, left tackle, right guard and middle linebacker should be considered a rousing success.

As the Bucs prepare for their final home game of the season, let's take a look at who's moving up and who's moving down across the roster.

Down: CB Jude Adjei-Barimah

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After snatching a starting spot away from Johnthan Banks earlier in the season, Jude Adjei-Barimah has hit a rough patch over the last few games, struggling in coverage and giving up way too many big plays down the field.

A rookie undrafted free agent out of Bowling Green, Adjei-Barimah has flashed some attractive qualities at times this year, particularly in run support. But last week's 60-yard touchdown catch by Kenny Britt isn't the only time he's been burnt for a big gain over the second half of the 2015 season.

It's understandable for a rookie to struggle in his first NFL season, especially one who wasn't drafted and was thrust into a starting role halfway through the year. His performance lately only further proves how much work the Bucs have to do when it comes to building quality depth in the secondary.

Up: WR Adam Humphries

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With Vincent Jackson dealing with a knee injury yet again, the Bucs have been forced to rely on some inexperienced replacements in his absence. Over the past two weeks, Adam Humphries has risen to the occasion and proved himself to be a reliable target in the slot.

Humphries caught his first career NFL touchdown in a loss to the New Orleans Saints two weeks ago, then followed it up with a solid performance against the St. Louis Rams in front of a national audience. The Clemson product caught six passes for 60 yards, making a few key plays that helped put the Bucs in position for a last-ditch effort to try to tie the game late.

With both Jackson and fellow veteran Louis Murphy injured, the Bucs have needed one of their young pass-catchers to pick up the slack. So far, Humphries looks like he's developing a strong connection with Jameis Winston that will be useful over the final two games of the 2015 regular season.

Down: WR Donteea Dye

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While Adam Humphries has taken advantage of his chance to shine over the past two weeks, fellow rookie undrafted free agent Donteea Dye has struggled.

Dye has been plagued by drops, including a crucial one on Tampa Bay's final drive against the Saints that could have kept a potential game-tying drive alive. Last week in front of a national audience, Dye made an impressive catch downfield to get the Bucs near the end zone, but he didn't realize he wasn't ruled down by contact, tossing the ball away. The fumble was recovered by a teammate, but the mental lapse was still a huge gaffe that could have cost the team a score.

A product of Heidelberg University in Ohio, Dye has appeared in eight games this season with three starts, but he has managed only six receptions for 86 yards and a touchdown. He's had an opportunity to make a significant impact over the last two games due to injuries at the receiver spot, but he simply hasn't taken advantage.

Up: LB Bruce Carter

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After replacing suspended rookie standout Kwon Alexander at middle linebacker two weeks ago, Bruce Carter has proved his worth as much by his presence on the field as his absence.

In a losing effort against the New Orleans Saints two weeks ago, Carter tallied eight tackles and turned in a solid overall performance, but in coverage and against the run. He left the game late with an injury, then missed last week's game against the St. Louis Rams. That forced Orie Lemon into a starting role, and he played so poorly he was swiftly cut from the team.

Alexander is clearly the mainstay in the middle for the Bucs moving forward, but Carter has proved how valuable he could be next year as a depth piece for a defense that doesn't have many of them. He fits the scheme perfectly, and he should be a key reserve next season.

Down: Special Teams

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Special teams can not only put points on the board, but they also play a key role in winning the field-position battle. Last week's performance by Tampa Bay's units left much to be desired, and their inability to maintain good field position was a huge factor in the loss to the Rams.

The punting game was lackluster, failing to swing the field in the favor of Tampa Bay with inconsistent distance, especially when the Bucs were backed up near their own end zone. The coverage teams were even worse, giving up multiple returns of huge yardage, including one that came just a couple yards shy of going for a touchdown.

Connor Barth made all three of his field-goal attempts, but the rest of the special teams units will be looking to bounce back this week from one of the more poor performances of the Bucs' season.