Buccaneers Free Agent Outlook Part II
By James Yarcho
William Gholston – Defensive End/Defensive Tackle
William Gholston is going to get PAID. NOw, he doesn’t have the sack numbers to get a mega-deal, but he’s certainly going to get some hefty offers from teams when the time comes. Gholston finished the season with 50 tackles, 3.5 sacks, a forced fumble, and a fumble recovery – marking career highs almost across the board.
The best thing about Gholston is his run defense. His abilities in the run game are what are going to get him the money he’s looking for – but will the Buccaneers be the ones willing to pay it?
They’re certainly going to try to lock him up before free agency kicks off, but Gholston knows he’s likely going to get one big deal in his career and he’d be wise to see what else is out there – and that’s exactly what he’ll do.
Like Spence, Gholston was a fourth round pick in 2013 out of the Big Ten (Michigan State rather than Illinois in this case) and was a pre-Licht guy. Even Jason Licht knows how important it will be to keep Gholston, but that doesn’t mean it is going to happen.
We do know that the Glazers have never had a player they truly wanted get away due to money. It doesn’t happen. So if Licht is banging the table for Gholston, the Glazers will open the checkbook and tell him to do what it takes.
Licht’s a smart guy and he puts a value on everyone so if the bidding war gets too high, he’ll walk away. I certainly anticipate that happening. Teams throw around crazy money in free agency and Gholston will greatly benefit from that process this season.
The Bucs won’t leave defensive line unattended. With the Calais Campbell rumors heating up, as well as the potential for Dontari Poe to hit the market, there are also guys like Nick Fairley, Kawaan Short, Terrell McClain, and Bennie Logan set to hit the market – and those are just some of the guys who are under thirty.
Gholston is a solid player and a well liked teammate, but the team won’t fall into a downward spiral if he walks. Chances are, someone will offer him money that is higher than Licht feels is adequate and he won’t be part of the Bucs moving forward.