Report: Buccaneers Interested in J.J. Wilcox

Nov 6, 2016; Cleveland, OH, USA; Dallas Cowboys free safety J.J. Wilcox (27) against the Cleveland Browns at FirstEnergy Stadium. The Cowboys won 35-10. Mandatory Credit: Aaron Doster-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 6, 2016; Cleveland, OH, USA; Dallas Cowboys free safety J.J. Wilcox (27) against the Cleveland Browns at FirstEnergy Stadium. The Cowboys won 35-10. Mandatory Credit: Aaron Doster-USA TODAY Sports

The Buccaneers are showing interest in a safety from the Dallas Cowboys.

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Wouldn’t it be nice if the Buccaneers had one of those intimidating safeties that receivers fear? Don’t they need a guy that can come up and make a stop in the run game as well as give a guy a solid shot as they come across the middle?

According to a report, they are interested in one. Jenna Laine of ESPN is reporting this morning that the Bucs have expressed interest in Dallas Cowboys safety J.J. Wilcox. According to Jenna, there is mutual interest between player and team. We are all aware that nothing can become official until 4 PM on Thursday, March 9th.

For anyone unfamiliar, here are his career stats to date (Pro Football Reference):

GamesDef InterceptionsFumblesSacks & Tackles
YearAgeTmPosNo.GGSIntYdsTDLngPDFFFmbFRYdsTDSkTklAstSftyAV
201322DALss271350000122162
201423DALFS271616346046511211069127
201524DALFS/lb/s/ss27161312402430010032165
201625DALss27134180861000033122
Career5838578046152131101565616

The move would be a wise one for the Bucs. Wilcox can make plays in both the run and the pass game, and he carries a reputation as a big hitter. It may not show up in the box score but having a tough safety lingering over the middle makes a big difference. This type of player can force bad throws and interceptions, simply by causing the wide receiver to hear footsteps. That induces bad route running, throws behind the receiver, and turnovers.

It’s also a good move simply because Keith Tandy is the only safety currently on the roster. As Jenna noted, Ryan Smith has been moved to cornerback and the other safeties are free agents. SOMEBODY has to play safety, right?

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If it plays out, it’s an underrated but good move.

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