Tampa Bay Buccaneers fans are already looking to free agency and the draft to see what pieces Jason Licht and Dirk Koetter bring in to get them over the top.
Unfortunately, it’s now that time when Buccaneers fans across the country begin looking at the crop of pending free agents to see what positions of need will be supplemented heading into the draft. They want to see which big name guys come to town, or maybe which under the radar players – like Robert Ayers and Brent Grimes – can come in and make an immediate impact.
Free agency is a tricky thing. It certainly isn’t the best way to build a team. It is, however, a great way to set yourself up to draft the best player available come April. If your team is able to fill needs via free agency, there are no positions you have to reach for due to a glaring need on your roster.
In the past, the Buccaneers have brought in big named, high priced guys like Vincent Jackson, Dashon Goldson, Carl Nicks, and (via trade) Darrelle Revis. Now, how well did that work out? Now, they tend to let the big names go to the over-paying teams while they acquire talented and modestly priced players. This has allowed them to build up the third highest cap space in the NFL with more potentially becoming available.
This list is a mixture of players from both ends of the spectrum. Some high profile, high priced players while others may be the guys to look for on the second free agency wave after the big names are scooped up in the first 24-48 hours.
*DISCLAIMER – This list does NOT include any players from the Buccaneers that will become free agents in 2017. That does not mean they shouldn’t be considered*
Eric Berry – Safety
This is the most obvious choice, but it’s also one of the biggest needs and one of the best players. Eric Berry would be an immediate impact player that could continue to transform this defense. Teaming him up with Keith Tandy who came into his own this season as well as Brent Grimes and Vernon Hargreaves, the Buccaneers could get that “No Fly Zone” they thought they had with Revis, Johnthan Banks, and Goldson.
Eric Berry will likely be one of the higher priced free agents, but if he’s the lone top-tier free agent the Buccaneers sign then it isn’t going to break the bank or kill the cap. Spotrac has Berry’s estimated value at $9.9-million a year, which isn’t crazy high considering he’s a five-time Pro Bowler, a two-time first team All-Pro, and only 28 years old.
Berry could be a huge acquisition for this team moving forward, allowing them to draft and develop a safety in the next few seasons, not be forced into making it a top priority now.
Cordarrelle Patterson – Wide Receiver
Not the flashiest player. In fact, he’s had his struggles since being drafted in 2013. There’s no denying Patterson was a stud at Tennessee, however he never transitioned to the NFL game very well. As a receiver, Patterson has 1,264 yards and seven touchdowns in four seasons. Not too stellar. As a returner, however, he has five touchdowns and has averaged 30.4 yards per return.
Now, he’s arguably an elite return man – something the Buccaneers could desperately use – but what they also need is a receiver with speed that they can rely on. Patterson certainly has speed, but can they rely on him? What was his issue in Minnesota? Could he not learn the offense? Was he lazy? Was he flat out not very good? Or might it be a quarterback issue?
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Since he entered the league, Patterson’s quarterbacks have been Christian Ponder, Matt Cassel, Josh Freeman, Teddy Bridgewater, Sam Bradford, and Shaun Hill. Not really a stellar crew, there. Bridgewater is a solid quarterback, but the tandem never seemed to have great chemistry. Maybe a change in scenery – and a new quarterback – could revitalize Patterson into the player so many believed him to be when he was drafted.
Jason Pierre-Paul – Defensive End
This is someone the Bucs should look at, but proceed with caution. JPP finished the 2016 season with seven sacks, bringing his career total to fifty. Now, Spotrac has JPP’s estimated market value at $10-Million per year, which is way too steep for a defensive end entering his eighth season and on the verge of thirty. Unlike the similarly aged Berry, defensive end is a much more physical position and the players don’t last as long.
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Now, if the estimated market value turns out to be too high and the Bucs can snag him for a cheaper price, then they should go for it. A line with Noah Spence and JPP on the edges with Gerald McCoy and Robert Ayers inside could be lethal.
Not one of the more likely scenarios, in fact it’s hard to imagine the Giants letting him go at all, but a name to keep an eye on nonetheless.
D.J. Hayden – Cornerback
Hayden is entering free agency as a guy, much like Patterson, who didn’t live up to the hype of being a first round pick. His fifth year option is available, but if the Raiders don’t exercise it, a young corner like Hayden may be a solid fit without the premium price tag.
Brent Grimes, as well as he played in 2016, is not the long term answer. Hayden could come in as the third corner, then take over as one of the two outside guys once Grimes leaves. Grimes wife Miko made is abundantly clear on her podcast that Brent is in Tampa for the paycheck and his paychecks run out after 2017. The Buccaneers can’t wait until he’s gone to address the soon-to-be need.
There is a high likelihood Alterraun Verner will be released. That will free up $6.5-million on the cap and not cost Tampa any dead money. With the need to continue to beef up and add depth to the secondary, Hayden could be a solid move.
Latavius Murray – Running Back
Yeah, yeah, yeah…Dalvin Cook. I know. There’s no guarantee – and a slim, slim chance – Cook is there when the Buccaneers pick at nineteen. So why not get a young, up-and-coming running back set to hit the market at an incredibly low price? According to Spotrac, Murray’s market value will be around $3.3-Million per year, making him half the cost of Martin without the injury history or wear and tear.
The Central Florida product burst onto the scene in 2015, rushing for 1,066 yards and six touchdowns. Though he didn’t rush for as many yards – likely due to Derek Carr going off all year long – he doubled his rushing touchdowns.
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Murray has also been effective in the passing game, grabbing 91 receptions for 639 yards over his three seasons. Teaming him with Jacquizz Rodgers (should he return) and Charles Sims could make Bucs fans forget all about Doug Martin. Murray is turning 27 years old next week and about to enter his prime. Signing another local guy would be merely a bonus.
Kenny Stills – Wide Receiver
Kenny Stills brings the speed that Koetter is looking for and if given the chance, I’m sure staying in Florida would be his preference. Becoming the number two guy opposite a player like Mike Evans will likely get him better looks and increased targets based on the coverage shifting over to Mike. Stills finished as Miami’s third highest ranked receiver in terms of targets (81), receptions (42), and yards (726). He led the team in touchdowns with nine, had ten receptions over twenty yards, had 180 yards after catch, and led the team with a 17.3 yards per catch average.
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Basically, he’s the deep threat Jameis needs and Koetter is looking for.
The crazy thing is, Stills will be entering his fifth year and is turning 25 in April. This kid is still young enough to be part of the young nucleus the Buccaneers are constructing and could be around for quite a few years. Speed guys don’t usually get those mega-deals, so Stills could be another affordable option.
Luke Joeckel – Offensive Line
Here’s an interesting one. Joeckel has been the left tackle in Jacksonville for the majority of his four seasons, but has dabbled at left guard. Now, if the Bucs can get him to come in and play guard, they can do a little O-Line shuffle.
Joe Hawley is set to become a free agent and it might be the right time to move Ali Marpet to center. If that’s the case, the Bucs can slide Joeckel to left guard while Kevin Pamphile – who performs well at just about every position along the line – can take over for Ali on the right side.
Also, let’s not forget J.R. Sweezy is returning, which could also provide a starting role at the guard position or he may end up being solid depth. There’s no telling at this point because we don’t know how effective he’ll be once he returns. Joeckel could really beef up this line and help the run game immensely.
Final Thoughts
Don’t expect a crazy spending spree this season. The Buccaneers have contracts coming up for Mike Evans (entering his fourth year with a fifth year option, but Bucs can extend him this off-season) and Charles Sims. With the roll over not spent this year, the Bucs will need to lock up Jameis Winston, Ali Marpet, Donovan Smith, and Kwon Alexander. So yes, the Bucs have a ton of cap room and likely more to come with off-season cuts, but they aren’t going to be spending it all.
Also, just because a player is listed doesn’t necessarily mean I personally want that guy or not, they’re just some names that make sense right now that the Buccaneers are likely taking a look into whether they would fit on the team. I wouldn’t be surprised if they signed one guy off this list nor would I be surprised if they follow last year’s formula and sign guys later on.
The Bucs aren’t going to solve every issue in free agency, just like they won’t solve every issue in the draft. It’s finding the right balance – the right fits – to build on the culture and chemistry they developed in 2016.
Next: Bucs' 2017 Opponents Provide Major Tests
Monday we will bring you some free agents to avoid like the plague. The Buccaneers have something special brewing and this off-season will make or break if that something special is real or was just a mirage.