Bucs Urged To Sign 'Best-Fit' 4-Time All-Pro Safety

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers entered the offseason with a few significant obstacles to their maintenance of NFC South dominance. Many of those questions have been met with profound answers. 

They managed to retain Chris Godwin after salary cap concerns hovered over his ability to return to the team. Tampa Bay needed pass rushing and went out to sign Haason Reddick on a one-year prove it deal to bolster their defense. 

Even when offensive coordinator Liam Coen left them at the altar under stunning circumstances, they rebounded to promote Josh Grizzard from within in hopes of keeping things steady on that end. 

Much of that is a credit to general manager Jason Licht, who has pulled off the necessary maneuvers to keep this team afloat and in the thick of the NFC chase. But could his Bucs entertain one more move to enhance the roster for the 2025 campaign?

Last season, Tampa Bay's secondary was decimated with injury, including Antoine Winfield Jr. who had to miss several games. They spent two draft picks on cornerbacks, but the safety position could use some attention. 

That's why ESPN's list of best fit free agents and trade targets has Justin Simmons pegged to the Bucs' secondary. Schematically, it makes for a strong fit as ESPN's Matt Bowen notes. 

"Simmons fits really well as an interchangeable safety opposite Antoine Winfield Jr. in Todd Bowles' defense. The Bucs played the most zone coverage in the league last season (71.7% of the time), and Simmons can spin to the post or walk down in Cover 3. 

"He's an excellent communicator with field awareness. Simmons has picked off 32 passes over his nine-year career, including two last season."

The playmaking is certainly a plus but the pedigree here is even more enticing. 

Simmons spent his first eight seasons with the Denver Broncos before a one-year stint with the Atlanta Falcons. He was a second-team All-Pro safety for the three years prior to Atlanta and has earned that honor a total of four seasons. 

The Bucs' secondary has plenty of youth, but lacks much veteran savvy beyond what Winfield provides. Simmons is a player who can still contribute and provide that missing presence for this group. 

Given what the Bucs have done so far, that may not be a necessary addition and there is some merit to letting the younger guys figure things out themselves. At the same time, they only stand to gain from adding a player like Simmons this late in the offseason.