15 Free Agents That Make Sense For The Bucs

The Bucs are set at the top of their depth chart with Mike Evans and Chris Godwin, and Russell Gage back after taking a pay cut. However, behind them are the unproven Kaylon Geiger and Deven Thompkins. The Bucs need to bring in more talent and depth at the position and there are plenty of cost efficient options on the market.

The Bucs could also look towards the middle rounds of the draft to address the position, with Nebraska’s Trey Palmer gaining a lot of steam as a potential option. Palmer was featured in the recent Pewter Report 7-Round Bucs Mock Draft.

However, if the Bucs do tap into the free agent market, former Chief and Tampa native Byron Pringle could make a ton of sense. Pringle left Kansas City for the Bears last season and things didn’t pan out the way both sides expected. A strong run blocker, Pringle was limited to just 11 games due to injury. He only posted 10 receptions for 135 yards and two scores, after a 42-catch, 568-yard and five-touchdown season in 2021.

If the Bucs are looking for more of a predominantly  outside option, Ravens receiver Demarcus Robinson could intrigue them. After four seasons with the Chiefs, Robinson signed a one-year deal with the Raven where he caught a career high 48 passes for 458 yards and two touchdowns.

Finally, another option the Bucs could look at is slot receiver Chris Moore. Last season with the Texans, Moore reeled in 48 receptions for 548 yards and two touchdowns. With injuries to starters Brandin Cooks and Nico Collins, Moore stepped up and started seven games for Houston. 

Tight End

In what is considered one of the deepest drafts at tight end in recent years, the Bucs could very well dip into it, even after taking two players at the position last year. Prospects like Iowa’s Sam LaPorta, Old Dominion’s Zach Kuntz, and Cincinnati’s Josh Whyle could fit the bill as additions to the roster. Though with the release of Cam Brate, the room is lacking a veteran. 

There aren’t many inexpensive options in free agency with upside, but former Bengals tight end Mitchell Wilcox could be a fit. While Wilcox has only been in the league three years, he spent two of those under the coaching of Zac Robinson, who comes from the McVay coaching tree.

Dave Canales is sure to run a ton of 12 personnel, which features two tight ends. Having a young veteran with familiarity in a similar system could be beneficial. Wilcox finished the 2022 season with 17 receptions for 131 yards and a score, while adding a respectable 64.8 blocking grade from PFF. 

Offensive Tackle

The Bucs have been mum on their plans at tackle this offseason after releasing long time veteran Donovan Smith. Currently they don’t have many in-house options on the roster, either. The team will surely add to this position – likely in the draft and possibly in free agency. The Bucs need a starter to play opposite Tristan Wirfs, and also a swing tackle backup to replace Josh Wells. 

Last year’s second-round pick, Luke Goedke, is an option at right tackle if Wirfs moves to the left side. But there has been speculation that the Bucs could draft a tackle in the first round. The two most talked about prospects are Tennessee’s Darnell Wright replacing Wirfs at right tackle, or Oklahoma’s Anton Harrison manning the left side as Smith’s replacement.  

If the team turns to free agency, former Broncos tackle Cameron Fleming fits the bill. Fleming started 15 games for the Broncos last season, with nine coming at right tackle and six on the left side. He finished the season with a 72.6 overall blocking grade from Pro Football Focus and has 61 career starts.

Another option is former Patriots tackle Isaiah Wynn. After playing the first three seasons at left tackle, Wynn made the switch to right tackle this season. While the results weren’t the best in his seven starts, as a backup swing tackle the 27-year old would be a solid addition. He also started a game at left guard as well.

Outside Linebacker

Even after bringing back Anthony Nelson and Cam Gill, the Bucs still need to add to the pass rush this offseason with an emphasis on getting faster. While the best way to achieve that will be with young talent throughout the draft, they could look to the free agent market to bolster the room. The team hasn’t ruled out bringing back Carl Nassib either, as there remains some uncertainty on when Shaq Barrett will be able to return after suffering an Achilles injury early last season. 

If the Bucs choose to go the veteran route there are a few players that could be of interest. Kyle Van Noy who spent last season with the Chargers has the versatility Bowles covets from his defenders. He finished last season compiling 46 tackles, eight tackles for loss, five sacks on 32 pressures and a forced fumble in 15 starts.

Bowles could also look to a reunion with Cardinals edge rusher Markus Golden who he coached in Arizona. Golden ended 2022 with 48 tackles, seven tackles for loss, and four sacks on 46 pressures in 14 starts.

If the Bucs are looking to try to find a young resurrection project like they did a few years back with Shaq Barrett, they could target another Shaq in Shaq Lawson. The Bills former first-round pick finished last season with four sacks on 20 total pressures. He started six games in 2022 racking up 31 tackles, six for-a-loss and a forced fumble. 

Another player they could look at is the Texan’s Rasheem Green. Just 25, Green finished last season with five sacks on 26 total pressures. At 6-foot-4 and 295 pounds, he brings great size to the outside. He racked up 42 tackles, including five tackles for loss in 2022. 

Inside Linebacker

The Bucs are set to return both starters at the position after locking in Lavonte David to a one-year deal. However, the team has mostly unknown’s behind them. K.J. Britt has been a core special teamer, but hasn’t shown he can be relied upon, or good, if he was to be thrust into a starting role.

While the draft isn’t loaded with impact starters at the position the Bucs don’t need that for this season. Mid-round selections like Auburn’s Owen Pappoe or Jackson State’s Aubrey Miller Jr.would fill the need for an upside backup. 

Though if the Bucs were to look towards free agency Cardinals linebacker Ben Nieman could make a lot of sense. Still just 27 years old, he logged 43 percent of the snaps on defense for Arizona in 2022. Perhaps his best attribute is his tackling, posting a 90.3 tackling grade. Nieman finished with 70 total tackles, with just one missed tackle all season, and a fumble recovery. He’s also a core special teamer with 181 snaps and two special teams tackles. 

Safety 

Of course there is still the possibility the Bucs bring back Logan Ryan or Keanu Neal, the team could also look for an upgrade outside of the building as well. After a year in flux, Tampa Bay could be looking for a more traditional strong safety with some versatility. Neal played admirably when thrusted into a starting role and came up with several big plays, but also allowed more than his fair share as well.

If the Bucs don’t look to the draft with the likes of the aforementioned Branch, or Florida State’s Jammie Robinson or Illinois’ Sidney Brown, they could turn their attention to free agency and target John Johnson III.

Released by the Browns earlier in the offseason, Johnson hasn’t quite lived up to the high-priced contract he received three years ago. However, he is still a tackling machine, racking up 101 stops last season. He had a down year and has played more free safety as of late, but has the versatility Bowles loves on the back end.

While he’s a bit older at 32, Rodney McLeod was quietly one of the best box safeties in football for the Colts last season. Per PFF, he was the second best coverage safety, posting an 85.3 grade and finished as the seventh best overall safety with an 80.1 grade.

The veteran finished out the 2022 campaign with 15 starts racking up 96 tackles, five for a loss, eight pass deflections and two interceptions. Including one for a touchdown. He has enough versatility to move around the secondary and also plays on several special teams units, recording three tackles last season.

Cornerback

With the outside locked down by Carlton Davis III and Jamel Dean, what the Bucs really need on defense is a nickel corner. Bowles reiterated again at the NFL Annual Meeting that Antoine Winfield Jr. will strictly play free safety this season. While the draft is deep at the cornerback position this year, a majority of the top prospects are outside guys. There are also few hybrid safeties out there, the most popular being Alabama’s Brian Branch. 

After spending last season with the Chargers, Bryce Callahan has not found a home yet. He’s been a steady slot corner over the years and finished last season with 46 tackles and three interceptions. Another player they could consider is Troy Hill. Last season with the Rams, Hill compiled 67 tackles and an interception. He played more on the outside in 2022,  but is a solid run defender and recorded two sacks playing mostly out of the slot in 2021.