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Buccaneers: Predicting next year’s off-season needs

By Michael Horan

Nov 15, 2015; Tampa, FL, USA; Tampa Bay Buccaneers general manager Jason Licht prior to the game against the Dallas Cowboys at Raymond James Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 15, 2015; Tampa, FL, USA; Tampa Bay Buccaneers general manager Jason Licht prior to the game against the Dallas Cowboys at Raymond James Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports /
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We may only be a week removed from the NFL draft, but it’s never too soon to start thinking about next off-season for the Buccaneers.

To adequately solve all of a team’s issues in one off-season is rare. A team might think they’ve patched up all of their issues via veterans or draft picks, but the rigors of an NFL season expose weak links sooner or later. Whether it’s something that they weren’t able to directly address, or something new that comes to light, there are always issues moving into the next season. For the Buccaneers, I think they’re well aware of their flaws.

Jason Licht has an eye on the present with another eye on the future. It is what makes him such a talented general manager. He has a wonderful pulse on his team and is willing to take chances.

This off-season was about prioritizing the issues that kept them out of the playoffs last season, and recognizing what can wait. Problems such as a supporting wide receiver, a starting safety, a strong-side linebacker and a megastar tight end took precedent over some other issues that we’ll go over and analyze today.

What about 2018? What are the needs that Jason Licht will have to fill in order to complete the puzzle? Starting with the least pressing, we’ll take a look at which positions are most likely to be at the top of Tampa Bay’s shopping list next off-season.

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