The Tampa Bay Buccaneers enter the offseason knowing that getting receiver Chris Godwin re-signed is one of the top priorities, but there is another need.
With the Buccaneers needing pass-rushing help, many have the franchise taking an edge rusher in the first round of the draft.
But there is another avenue to take, and that is free agency. No, Joey Bosa isn't up for serious consideration due to the salary, but second-tier options would be.
And for CBS Sports, in what they describe as the "perfect" free agent, Chase Young comes to the NFC South.
"The Bucs really need to get back to rushing the passer at a high level," CBS Sports writes. "Young hasn't quite turned into the kind of player who Washington thought it was getting with the No. 2 overall pick back in the day, but he's finally tapped into some of his pass-rush promise over these last two seasons, during which he's notched 14 sacks and 36 quarterback hits. Tampa doesn't have much cap room, but Young probably isn't getting paid at the very top of the market anyway."
Calijah Kancey (7.5 sacks) was the Buccaneers' leading sack-getter last season, and Vita Vea (7.0) was the next best.
Yaya Diaby is emerging as a genuine game-wrecker (13 tackles for loss, 20 quarterback hits in 2024, led Bucs), but he needs help. Young, while he might not be the pass-rushing stud he once was, can still offer Tampa Bay something.
For the New Orleans Saints in 2024, Young registered 5.5 sacks, eight tackles for loss, and 21 quarterback hits (career-high), so there is still some solid production coming out of the former Ohio State star.
He signed a one-year, $13 million deal with the Saints last season. Could something similar entice him to the NFC South?
With the Buccaneers in desperate need of some pass rush help, it is worthy of at least a phone call.
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