The Pewter Plank
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Remaining Free Agents Buccaneers Should Target

By James Yarcho

Feb 24, 2016; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Tampa Bay Buccaneers general manager Jason Licht speaks to the media during the 2016 NFL Scouting Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Trevor Ruszkowski-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 24, 2016; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Tampa Bay Buccaneers general manager Jason Licht speaks to the media during the 2016 NFL Scouting Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Trevor Ruszkowski-USA TODAY Sports /
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Dec 6, 2015; Cleveland, OH, USA; Cincinnati Bengals free safety Reggie Nelson (20) returns an interception as Cleveland Browns running back Duke Johnson (29) pursues during the second quarter at FirstEnergy Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 6, 2015; Cleveland, OH, USA; Cincinnati Bengals free safety Reggie Nelson (20) returns an interception as Cleveland Browns running back Duke Johnson (29) pursues during the second quarter at FirstEnergy Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports /

Reggie Nelson – S

The Bucs have a need at safety and Nelson is the best one available. He has a familiarity with current Bucs’ coach Jay Hayes and NFL insider Jason LaCanfora already named the Buccaneers and Vikings as front-runners. The Vikings already signed safety Michael Griffin, so it appears as if the Bucs can emerge as the top destination for Nelson. Nelson, who had eight interceptions in 2015 for a career total of 30, is from Melbourne, Florida, so the Bucs may be high on his list as a homecoming to finish his career.

Nelson has been a team captain in Cincinnati, but the Bengals have been forced to move on from him with their entire secondary hitting the market and paying George Iloka and Adam Jones. Nelson could very well end up being what Bucs fans were hoping Dashon Goldson was going to be when he was signed in 2013. He has ties to Mike Smith dating back to their days in Jacksonville.

The Bucs did retain Keith Tandy and are reportedly trying to bring back Chris Conte. Neither player is as good as Nelson. Major upgrade in a weak secondary.

Next: Chris Long

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