will have more competition

One key difference to Bucs camp this year over last is expected to be a lot more competition. The Tampa Bay Times reports that there will be many more camp battles for positions, both in the starting lineup and among backups. The most important for fantasy owners will be the fight for backfield touches between rookie Doug Martin and incumbent LeGarrette Blount. The latter heads into camp as the apparent #1, but Martin has already drawn strong reviews. We still like Martin significantly more because he enters the league a better pass catcher and blocker than Blount. Martin's no sissy between the tackles either. Even if Blount falls to 2nd, though, the competition should be good for him. He seems like the kind of player who can use the added motivation. Blount could turn into a fantasy sleeper in what should be a run-heavy offense. His 9th-round ADP is unlikely to climb too much higher unless he wins the starting job. At the least, that puts him in decent handcuff range for Martin owners.

Buccaneers CB Carlton Davis (shoulder) is doubtful for Sunday's game against the Panthers. Fellow CB Jamel Dean (toe) is questionable but finished the week with a full Friday practice after 2 limited workouts. He missed the previous 2 games. S Antoine Winfield Jr. (ankle) and S Mike Edwards (hamstring) are also questionable after going limited all week. Each guy played through the same issue in last Sunday's win over the Cardinals. In Winfield's case, this week's practice run marked an upgrade. He sat out all 3 days last week before playing through a "questionable" tag. We'll update all the questionable CBs when Sunday's inactives arrive.

The Buccaneers have ruled out CB Carlton Davis (hip) and DB Antoine Winfield Jr. (concussion). That certainly helps the matchup for Ravens QB Lamar Jackson and his pass-catchers. Winfield has spent more time at slot CB than safety so far this season. So these absences are especially helpful to WR Devin Duvernay and TE Mark Andrews. Duvernay and Davis have each primarily run on the same side of the formation, and Andrews remains Baltimore's biggest threat from the slot. We'll see whether Andrews and WR Rashod Bateman play through their "questionable" designations. Bateman did put in a full practice Wednesday, while Andrews hasn't practiced this week.

Buccaneers CB Carlton Davis (hip) and S Mike Edwards (elbow) are questionable for Sunday's game against the Panthers. Edwards put in full practices all week, so we'd bet on him playing. Davis went limited, no practice, limited. We'll check their statuses Sunday morning.

Buccaneers S Antoine Winfield (foot) and S Jordan Whitehead (calf) are questionable for Sunday's game against the Saints. Winfield looks very iffy after putting in only 1 limited practice. Whitehead closed out the week with a full Friday after 2 limited days. He missed the past 2 games.

Buccaneers CB Jamel Dean (concussion) and DE William Gholston (wrist, knee) are active for today's game against the Bills.