TAMPA, Fla. — Last year, they flew under the radar.

This season, they’re a favorite to win their fourth-straight division championship.

What You Need To Know

  •  The Tampa Bay Bucs kick off training camp with their first practice Wednesday morning

  •  Last season, the Bucs flew under the radar enroute to the NFC divisional round in the playoffs

  •  The Bucs won their third-straight NFC South Division title and are poised for a fourth

  • INSIDE TRAINING CAMP: Buccaneers.com 

  • NEWS FROM CAMP: All but one of the 91 players on the Buccaneers' camp roster did so; outside linebacker Randy Gregory was absent. As a result, the Buccaneers placed Gregory on the reserve/did not report list

The Tampa Bay Bucs kick off training camp, a much different camp than last year.

For quarterback Baker Mayfield, he finally has an NFL home. Last year, Baker battled Kyle Trask for the starting job then helped lead Tampa Bay to the divisional round of the playoffs. But no contest this year. This is Baker’s team.

“He’s got a three-year, $100 million contract, and more than that, these guys follow him,” said Tampa Bay Times Bucs beat writer Rick Stroud.

While a lot of eyes will be on the offensive side of the ball, the defense will be the key to a successful season. The line will be beefed up by Calijah Kancey and Vita Vea, with edge rusher Yaya Diaby coming off a successful rookie season.

Then Antoine Winfield Jr. and Jordan Whitehead form quite the one-two punch in the secondary.

“This defense is better,” Stroud said. “They’re deeper than they were a year ago. They got depth at the cornerback position. So I really look for them to be the old Tampa defense we’ve been used to.”

As for the much heralded rookie class, look for a lot of playing time from the youngest members of the roster. First-round pick Graham Barton is expected to shore up the middle of the offensive line.

While wide receiver Jalen McMillan and edge rusher Chris Braswell are poised to provide a spark. Last year’s rookie class logged a lot of game time and this year’s class is expected to do the same.

“Those rookies are going to have an impact,” Stroud said. “Obviously the more they play, the better they’ll get as the season goes along. But it was a really good draft.”