The first wave of free agency has completed and the Buccaneers have made a splash. What’s next? Which of Tampa Bay’s position groups still have needs that have to be addressed before the fall?
The Buccaneers did a whole lot in the first few days of free agency, filling some important holes on the roster. A few players left the team, some stayed and more joined. However, the Bucs still have needs to fill. Whether it comes through more free agency signings or the draft, Tampa Bay will need to shore up certain positions before the 2017 season kicks off.
One of the team’s most glaring needs heading into the offseason was a No. 2 receiver. On the first day of the new NFL year, the Bucs crossed that need off of their list with the signing of veteran speedster DeSean Jackson. D-Jax was the biggest signing for general manager Jason Licht, but other moves were made as well. Tampa Bay added defensive lineman Chris Baker and safety J.J. Wilcox, while also re-signing Chris Conte, Jacquizz Rodgers, Josh Robinson and Sealver Siliga.
So with the Bucs addressing a few different positions in the first week of free agency, what needs are left?
Quarterback
Well, before anyone goes and alerts Jason Whitlock, the only need at the Bucs’ quarterback position is in the backup role. Jameis Winston is the quarterback of the future in Tampa Bay, though in this league, every team needs a valuable backup. With Mike Glennon leaving to join the Bears last week, the Bucs now have a big hole at that No. 2 spot behind Winston.
The argument made by Whitlock (video linked above) is that the attempt by general manager Jason Licht to make Glennon the league’s highest-paid backup was an indictment against Winston. That’s clearly not the case. The rebuttals made by the other three at the desk were on target. Tampa Bay needs a solid backup in the event of something disastrous happening under center. Jason McIntyre brought up the Oakland Raiders, which is a great example. Derek Carr lit the world on fire all of last season, only to go down right before the playoffs. Oakland didn’t have a formidable backup, bringing their season to a disappointing end.
Now that Glennon signed elsewhere, Tampa Bay has to find another option. Reports were made that the team was linked to Nick Foles, but he ended up signing with Philadelphia. Ryan Griffin would currently be the next guy up behind Winston and as much as the Bucs reportedly like him, he isn’t as reliable as a guy like Glennon. Whether it’s through free agency or the later rounds of the draft (more likely free agency), there is still a need to be filled at the backup quarterback position.
Running Back
Through about one week of free agency, the biggest remaining question for the Bucs appears to be in the backfield. There’s still a lot of mystery with Doug Martin, though he is reportedly out of rehab. He has three games left on his four-game suspension, which was given as a result of a drug policy violation. Tampa Bay hasn’t committed to him as its running back for 2017, so there appears to be a possible need at the position.
Related Story: Bucs May Stand Pat At Running Back
The Bucs re-signed Jacquizz Rodgers last week, but presumably not as their starter. Charles Sims is still on the roster as well, though he isn’t a surefire starter either. So, where does Licht go from here? Adrian Peterson made headlines earlier this year by naming the Bucs as one of the teams he would like to play for should he become a free agent. He’s now a free agent, but the chatter surrounding him has died down quite a bit. There doesn’t even appear to be much interest coming from Tampa Bay at all. Jamaal Charles and Latavius Murray are out there too, but again, the team hasn’t expressed interest in them either (openly, at least).
Do the Bucs look for a running back in the draft? Are they open to trading up for Dalvin Cook or Leonard Fournette? Or do they sit back and select a running back in the later rounds? It seems pretty mysterious at this point in the offseason, but there’s clearly a need in the backfield. Whether they choose to fill it with Martin, a free agent or a rookie remains to be seen.
Offensive Line
The Bucs’ offensive line was not very good in 2016. That they were able to win nine games with some very average play from the guys up front says a lot about the team’s defense. At this point in free agency, the front office hasn’t done much of anything to switch up the offensive line. Center Joe Hawley and tackle Gosder Cherilus are free agents and guard J.R. Sweezy appears to be healthy, but as far as transactions go with the o-line, Tampa Bay has stood still.
There’s been talk of Ali Marpet moving to center, but regardless, the line as of now consists of Marpet, Sweezy, Kevin Pamphile, Donovan Smith and Demar Dotson. Evan Smith, Caleb Benenoch and Leonard Wester are also on the roster, but something seems to be missing.
Veteran Nick Mangold is out there and there are options in the draft. It looks like Tampa Bay might just keep the line the way it is, but it’s also a big possibility that they add someone in the draft. There hasn’t been too much talk of a lineman going to the Bucs in the first round. However, they could look for one later in the draft, picking up someone to compete for a spot on the line in 2017. If they don’t, it will appear that in the front office’s mind, a returning Sweezy is enough to get the Tampa Bay offensive line going. It seems like there’s still a need along the line, which is surprising considering the feelings of everyone heading into the start of the free agency period.
Secondary
The Bucs addressed their secondary last offseason, but it still feels like there’s something left to be desired there. Particularly at the safety position, Tampa Bay has somewhat of a confusing situation. To start the new league year, Chris Conte was re-signed and J.J. Wilcox was brought in. Something still feels off about the position group, with Keith Tandy in the mix as well.
Related Story: Buccaneers Sign J.J. Wilcox
Maybe it’s the absence of Bradley McDougald, who still could return to the team. Or, maybe it’s the ongoing talk of the Bucs looking at safeties in the draft. But in a division that includes Drew Brees, Matt Ryan and Cam Newton, the secondary is one of the most important parts of the team. The Bucs might just need one more impact playmaker in the secondary, which they could find in the first or second round of April’s draft. Bringing back an inconsistent Conte and a complementary guy like Wilcox to go with Tandy at safety just doesn’t feel like enough.
Can Tampa Bay find someone that’s versatile? Someone that can play safety but also fill in at corner would be highly beneficial in terms of depth. At corner, the team already has two good talents in Brent Grimes and Vernon Hargreaves. Jude Adjei-Barimah and Javien Elliott appear to be the leading backups, with someone like Josh Robinson also having the ability to step in if needed. All of these guys in one group sounds pretty good, no? It just feels like the Bucs may need one more impact player to truly be set in the secondary.
Kicker?
Look, it’s no guarantee that the Bucs will replace former Florida State kicker Roberto Aguayo before the 2017 season kicks off. However, it’s been said repeatedly that Aguayo will have competition for his job this offseason. That doesn’t necessarily mean that Tampa Bay needed to go out and spend big money on a free agent kicker, but it still should be looking for someone in the near future.
Aguayo, who of course was drafted in the second round of the 2016 draft, didn’t have a good rookie season. He had his moments of promise, but still finished the season with a field goal percentage of 71 percent, putting the Bucs’ kicking situation as the worst in the league. He only missed two extra points and made a few clutch kicks, but there really is a need for someone to come in and push him for his job.
Tampa Bay has a need for someone to come in and compete with the second-year kicker. Obviously, the team should not look for a kicker in the draft, but it might need to look for a veteran free agent. If the Bucs choose to bring in an undrafted rookie kicker, that won’t exactly feel like enough to decide whether or not they should move forward with Aguayo.
Next: First-Round Mock Draft: Free Agency Changes
Of course, there are more depth needs for the Bucs to address before the 2017 season kicks off. But for now, these five positions present the biggest needs and question marks for the front office. What do you think is left on the offseason agenda, Bucs fans? Let us know in the comments, on Twitter or on Facebook.