By virtue of Tampa Bay’s 31-14 loss to Dallas in the Wild Card round of the playoffs the Bucs’ position in the 2023 NFL Draft is known. Tampa Bay finished the 2022 regular season 8-9 and had the worst record of any of the teams in the playoffs. That means that the Bucs will have the 19th overall pick in the 2023 NFL Draft.
Tampa Bay has 23 unrestricted free agents, including quarterback Tom Brady and four starters on defense. Here is a lengthy list of offseason needs that the Bucs must address either in free agency or the NFL Draft, first published in Pewter Report’s SR’s Fab 5 column last Friday.
Bucs’ Team Needs In 2023
Quarterback: Will Brady return? If he does, the Bucs’ biggest need is addressed. If not, the team will have to pursue a veteran free agent like Jacoby Brissett, as Kyle Trask isn’t ready to compete for the starting job. Tampa Bay doesn’t have the draft capital or cap room to trade for Derek Carr.
Outside Linebacker: Shaq Barrett will be 30 and coming off a torn Achilles. Former first-round pick Joe Tryon-Shoyinka didn’t show much improvement as a pass rusher. With Nelson and Nassib headed for free agency, the Bucs will likely have to draft another impact edge rusher who can pressure the quarterback.
Defensive Tackle: Vita Vea returns, but Gholston, Hicks, Rakeem Nunez-Roches and Deadrin Senat are all free agents. That leaves just Logan Hall, who had an underwhelming rookie year, at the defensive tackle spot. It all starts up front, and the Bucs will need several defensive tackles to be re-signed or added this spring.
Safety: Antoine Winfield Jr enters a contract year in 2023, but he’s the only starting-caliber safety under contract. Edwards, Ryan and Neal are all free agents. It’s likely one or two of them returns, but safety will be one of the top priorities this offseason for Bowles.
Linebacker: It’s hard to imagine David not playing in red and pewter, but at age 33, there is no guarantee that he’s back in Tampa Bay next year. If that’s the case, the Bucs must find a starting-caliber linebacker in free agency or the draft to pair with Devin White. K.J. Britt and J.J. Russell are special teamers only.
Cornerback: Carlton Davis III, the team’s top cornerback, was signed to a long-term extension in March. But Dean and Murphy-Bunting are free agents, and it’s likely only one returns. Zyon McCollum had a disappointing rookie season and that means the Bucs will likely have to draft another cornerback early.
Tight End: Cam Brate will likely be released in a cap-cutting move, and Kyle Rudolph won’t be back. That leaves just Cade Otton and Ko Kieft at tight end. The Bucs will need to add a veteran (perhaps Rob Gronkowski if Brady returns?) and draft another tight end. The 2023 NFL Draft is loaded at tight end.
Wide Receiver: At 34, Julio Jones won’t return, and Scotty Miller and Breshad Perriman likely won’t either. The Bucs might release Russell Gage in a cap-cutting move. Either way, Tampa Bay will need more receivers to team with Mike Evans and Chris Godwin – either in the draft or free agency.
Running Back: Will the Bucs part ways with the underachieving Leonard Fournette to save some cap space? If Brady returns, he’ll likely want Fournette to stay. If the Bucs elect to go with Rachaad White and let Fournette go, look for the team to select another running back in a deep draft at the position.
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