The Tampa Bay Buccaneers will host the Washington Commanders on Sunday, September 8 for a 4:25 p.m. ET kickoff at Raymond James Stadium. The Bucs' brass managed to keep the team's nucleus intact with offseason re-signings and inhouse expectations are set on the pinnacle. The quest for another NFC South crown begins on Sunday, as the Bucs host the reigning Heisman Trophy winner, Jayden Daniels. After a 4-13 season, the Commanders underwent significant changes, and their new front office and coaching staff will strive to build momentum in 2024. Here are five Bucs' players to keep an eye on following kickoff:

Chris Godwin

Chris Godwin will revert back to his primary role in the slot this season and is poised for a breakout year. He became one of the most consistent offensive weapons during the offseason workout program, whether creating off a screen or a dig. Godwin will likely see a heavy dose of Commanders' slot corner Mike Sainristil on Sunday. The Bucs will likely try and use Godwin's trademark physicality in contested catch situations in going up against the 5-foot-10, 182-pound nickelback. Godwin will play the 'F' position similar to that of Rams' Cooper Kupp. Bucs' Offensive Coordinator Liam Coen served as the Rams' assistant wide receivers coach in 2019 when Kupp had his first breakout year with 94 catches for 1,161 yards and 10 touchdowns. With more space to operate out of the slot, Godwin takes advantage of a less restricted release. He is adept at picking up RAC yards off sweeps/crossers and plays with elite body control.

Graham Barton

Rookie Graham Barton will make his first start at center on Sunday in a baptism-by-fire moment. The Bucs selected Barton with the 26th overall selection in the 2024 NFL Draft and he won the full-time gig after competing with Robert Hainsey. Throughout the spring, Barton has showcased the athleticism and drive blocking skills that warranted a first-round selection. With core strength, sudden hands and explosion off the line, Barton has helped solidify the interior of Tampa Bay's line. The strength of the Commanders' defensive line is in the middle with dynamic duo, Jonathan Allen and Daron Payne. Allen compiled 5.5 sacks and 17 quarterback hits last season and both Allen and Head Coach Dan Quinn will look to attack the interior of the Bucs' line come Sunday. Allen is quick to diagnose and wins with effective hand placement, speed down the line and above-average footwork. In his NFL debut, Barton will look to make his mark against one of the league's top-tier defenders.

Yaya Diaby

For this Bucs' player, the opposite will be true. Second-year outside linebacker Yaya Diaby will be licking his chops all week for Sunday's matchup with rookie left tackle Brandon Coleman. The Commanders selected Coleman in the third round and he won a battle with Cornellius Lucas to earn the starting role on the left side. Diaby led the Buccaneers with 7.5 sacks in 2023 and led all rookies in tackles for loss with 12. The power rusher spent the offseason harnessing his skills into an advanced repertoire of moves, including a long-arm maneuver. Diaby has lethal short-area quickness, which culminated in his effectiveness on loops and stunts in Todd Bowles' system during his rookie campaign. The Bucs' edge rushers will play a critical role on Sunday in containing elusive quarterback Jayden Daniels by staying disciplined in gaps and setting the edge to prevent an escape route. Diaby's encore begins and he will vie to make a statement as the rookie signal-caller rolls into town.

Bucky Irving

How does Tampa Bay's reimagined run game look? That is the question that many Bucs' fans have been pondering over the past few months. The club's ground game made visible strides during the preseason with the offensive line firing off the line, creating cutback lanes the size of a truck. Bucky Irving, the team's fourth-round selection in April, will be part of the backfield rotation on Sunday in Coen's 'by-committee' approach. Rachaad White is the incumbent starter and will be the team's predominant workhorse, but Irving will create a change of pace. Irving can quickly get to the edge on outside zone with an effective lateral jump cut and can work off combo blocks in duo with a lethal spin maneuver. The Oregon product showed the ability to run between the tackles with contact balance and a downhill prowess. The Commanders' revamped the second level with Bobby Wagner and Frankie Luvu, so Irving will face a heralded cast in Week One.

Zyon McCollum

Commanders' receiver Terry McLaurin has tallied four-straight seasons of 70-plus catches and more than 1,000 yards receiving. He is a fluid route runner with solid angles out of breaks to gain leverage. McLaurin lines up along the formation on both the right and left side, meaning he will be paired with Zyon McCollum throughout the afternoon. McCollum will replace Carlton Davis at left corner for Tampa Bay, forming a tandem with Jamel Dean. After serving as an interchangeable player in the secondary last year as injuries piled up, McCollum's snaps will increase in 2024. He possesses speed to carry vertical threats, hip fluidity, length to disrupt at the catch point and footwork to match the release from his pedal. As an entrenched starter for the first time, McCollum will seek to impose his will in Week One.