It’s safe to say that the Tampa Bay Buccaneers will be looking like an entirely different team next season. With the departure of Tom Brady to retirement, and multiple players heading into free agency, this team will be a significantly different one than the one we were used to for the past two years. Luckily for the Bucs, the free-agent market is strong this year, so they should have no trouble finding suitable replacements for the players they lose. So, in saying that, who should the Bucs target in order to be the most competitive team possible next season? That is exactly what we will be looking at in today’s article. Without further ado, let’s jump right in and check out the five free-agent options the Buccaneers should look to pursue.
#5 – J.C Jackson
Last year the Bucs were injury-riddled at the cornerback position. You know your team is heavily injured when your signing Richard Sherman halfway through the season. It would be nice to keep Carlton Davis, as he had a very solid season despite also battling the injury bug. However, why not resign Davis and also pursue Jackson, giving the team a dynamic duo at CB.
You may be saying that it would be too expensive, but the bottom line is that the Bucs will now need to boost their defense, as they cannot rely solely on Tom Brady’s powers to save them games. The defense simply wasn’t good enough last year, and if it wasn’t for our QB, this team would have had a losing season.
Winning doesn’t come cheap, and if I was the Bucs, I’d take a good hard look at Jackson. Seeing as the Bucs were often beaten downfield last season, Jackson would come in and strengthen that right away, as he rarely gets beaten downfield and is strong at traveling in man. Add to that his “receiver like ball-skills” and you could have one nasty duo on this team. Yes, please!
#4 – Tyrann Mathieu
Seeing as Jordan Whitehead will be testing free-agency, I’d be hard-pressed if the Bucs didn’t evaluate other options than re-signing Whitehead, specifically, looking to sign Tyrann Mathieu. Mathieu has brought a winning attitude everywhere he has played, and that is exactly what the Buccaneers need next season as they will be picking up the pieces from Tom Brady’s departure.
Mathieu is one of the most consistent players in the NFL, and his physicality and savagery have even earned the moniker “The Honey Badger” due to the animal’s “tough as nails” characteristics. I think this is a no-brainer for the Bucs quite honestly, as Mathieu would be making the entire team better as a whole.
#3- Ryan Jensen
Finally, a re-signing! Jensen has proved himself to be one of the best and most consistent centers in the league, and at the age of 31, he is entering his prime. The saying goes “don’t fix what ain’t broke”! This is exactly how the Bucs should view their center situation. Just re-sign Jensen!
#2- Sony Michel
The Buccaneers got some solid play out of Leonard Fournette last year, but he dealt with some injury and inconsistency issues. Sony Michel put up 33 more rushing yards than Fournette on the season, and he did it at almost half the price!
If the Bucs want to save on some salary cap space, then signing Michel is a no-brainer, as he packs the most bang for your buck at the running back position. We also have a great #2 RB in Ronald Jones II, so if we don’t sign anybody he can always be a viable option.
#1 – Davante Adams
Yes yes I know, every single team will be trying to scoop up the golden apple of free agency, but hell, why not try and sign him. Adams is the most talented WR in recent NFL memory, and what makes him so great is his consistency in being the best night in and night out.
Seeing as Chris Godwin will be hitting the free-agent market, why not try and upgrade from him by signing Adams. Having Adams on the team will instantly make the life of the next Buccaneers QB a whole lot easier. This would just set the team up for success heading down the stretch next season.
Who do you think the Bucs should pursue in free agency? Let me know in the comments below!