The Pewter Plank
FanSided

Tampa Bay Buccaneers Biggest Off-Season Needs

By Brian DeFeo

Dec 11, 2016; Tampa, FL, USA; A detailed view of Tampa Bay Buccaneers helmet prior to the game against the New Orleans Saints at Raymond James Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 11, 2016; Tampa, FL, USA; A detailed view of Tampa Bay Buccaneers helmet prior to the game against the New Orleans Saints at Raymond James Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
4 of 5
Next
Dec 11, 2016; Tampa, FL, USA; Tampa Bay Buccaneers defensive back Brent Grimes (24) celebrates withTampa Bay Buccaneers defensive back Keith Tandy (37) he after intercepted a pass to seal the win against the New Orleans Saints at Raymond James Stadium. The Tampa Bay Buccaneers defeated the New Orleans Saints 16-11. Mandatory Credit: Jonathan Dyer-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 11, 2016; Tampa, FL, USA; Tampa Bay Buccaneers defensive back Brent Grimes (24) celebrates withTampa Bay Buccaneers defensive back Keith Tandy (37) he after intercepted a pass to seal the win against the New Orleans Saints at Raymond James Stadium. The Tampa Bay Buccaneers defeated the New Orleans Saints 16-11. Mandatory Credit: Jonathan Dyer-USA TODAY Sports /

Cornerback/ Safety

While the Bucs pass defense improved a lot over this season they still could use some help. While Brent Grimes has been an amazing addition to the team he isn’t the youngest corner in the league. Vernon Hargreaves also looked like a rookie for most of the season. Being the only corner in the league to give up over 1000 receiving yards is not the best stat to have. He was targeted a lot so he was bound to give up a lot of stats but he was unable to make a lot of plays like Marcus Peters did his rookie year.

Keith Tandy is going to be a starting safety on this team next season but the other is up in the air. McDougald performed admirably but there is definite room for improvement. Chris Conte is a free agent and there is no way they bring him back. There is still the fact they don’t have anyone over six feet in the secondary.

The free agency crop of secondary is much deeper than running back so they definitely have options there. One of my favorite players in the league, Eric Berry, is a free agent and coming off a franchise tag. The Chiefs will have to pay up for his services and if they can’t afford his price tag the Bucs surely can. Tony Jefferson, AJ Bouye, and Trumaine Johnson are some other names to consider. They do have to re-sign Josh Robinson first, for his special teams skill.

The draft has a couple of solid options but my favorite player coming out of this year’s class has been sliding down draft boards right towards the Bucs. Jabrill Peppers, Michigan utility man, is an interesting player that can do a little bit of everything. He’d be a nice safety-corner- linebacker hybrid like a Tyrann Mathieu. He can also return kicks and punts, something the Buccaneers haven’t had since Clifton Smith.

Home/Bucs News