Three Free Agents Who Can Still Help The Buccaneers

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers have had a strong offseason. They’ve addressed most of their major needs either through free agency or the NFL draft. As it stands today, they look like one of the best rosters in the NFC.

Of course, I would have said the same last year. However, the big difference going into 2026 is the amount of depth. Last season, the Bucs were thin at some key positions and it really hurt them when injuries hit. That isn’t the case as much now.

Room For Improvement 

With that said, there is still room for improvement. As I look at the roster, there are still a few position groups who could use more depth and talent. Here are my three free agents who can still help the Buccaneers.

Rasul Douglas, Cornerback

I feel confident in the Bucs young talent at cornerback. I believe Jacob Parrish will continue to prove himself to be a quality NFL starter as he transitions from the nickel to playing on the outside. I also really like Benjamin Morrison who has all the talent to be a high end NFL corner when healthy.

With that said, there is some risk in betting on two second year players, a rookie in Keonte Scott and Zyon McCollum who is looking to bounce back after a down year. It might be smart for the Bucs to hedge their bets with an established veteran. I believe that Douglas should be that guy.

Even in his early 30s, Douglas has continued to play well. Even so, as he enters his age 32 season then it’s probably best for everyone that he plays in a depth role. After starting for the Dolphins last season, it would be nice to bring his nine years of experience up the road to guide this young core of cornerbacks.

Taylor Rapp, Safety

The Buccaneers have one of the better safety tandems in the NFL. Antione Winfield Jr is a multiple time pro bowler and an All Pro, where Tykee Smith was maybe the Bucs best defensive player for a large part of last season. Safety is a strength in Tampa.

Beyond that is an undrafted rookie who is coming off a major injury in JJ Roberts and a special team veteran in Miles Killibrew. It would be nice to have a proven commodity coming off the bench who can play snaps on defense when called upon. Enter Taylor Rapp.

Rapp has been a starter for most of his seven year career, but has also played in a depth and special teams role. He is now coming off a knee injury that ended his 2025 season, so perhaps it is time that he be viewed as a bench player as he approaches his 29th birthday this year. His experience would be incredibly valuable if the Bucs were to have an injury on the back end of the defense.

Shaq Thompson, Linebacker

This would be perhaps the most important signing that the Bucs can make right now. Despite bringing in a pair of new starters in Alex Anzalone and rookie Josiah Trotter, as well as Christian Rozeboom as a depth player, I still feel like the defense really needs Thompson.

My reasoning is this. Anzalone is the only linebacker on the Buccaneers roster who isn’t a liability in coverage. If anything were to happen to him then the middle of the field would be very vulnerable in pass coverage.

You know who can play in coverage? Shaq Thompson can play in coverage (at least better than what the Bucs have in house). The 11 year NFL veteran would make an ideal third linebacker off the bench who can play in all situations.