After all the speculation and rumors about where Vincent Jackson was going to land this offseason, the Buccaneers wasted no time in signing the former Charger to a five-year, $55.555 million contract. A deal that also includes $26 million guaranteed. Jackson is set to make $36 million in 1st three years and $26 million in the first two.
So was it a wise investment? You better believe it. For a team that was, I would say, the most disappointing in 2011, the Buccaneers needed a boost to not only their receiving corps, but to their offense as a whole. Mike Williams petered out in his sophomore season after racking up eleven touchdown catches in 2010. And while Arrelious Benn did show some promise, his injury history and inconsistencies were not good enough for him to be a No. 2.
As far as fantasy value goes:
I don't see Vincent Jackson as a WR1, yet. But none of us have yet to see how Greg Schiano is going to use him. Schiano ran a run-heavy offense at Rutgers, but will he take that into Tampa? I would think that if the Buccaneers were going to continue to be a run-first team, they wouldn't have thrown a big-named wide receiver so much money. So for now, I will rank Vincent Jackson a WR2, with the chances that he could sneak his way into the top 12 to top 14 amongst his fantasy football brethren.
If anything, this move shows that the Buccaneers are committed to putting together a winning team that went 10-6 just two years ago. The team still has a young and very talented defense. And with guys like Williams and Kellen Winslow, we could see Josh Freeman peak back into our fantasy hearts.