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Buccaneers: Examining free agents from eliminated wild card teams

By David Harrison

TAMPA, FL - DECEMBER 31: Isaiah Johnson #39 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers celebrates with Peyton Barber #25 after returning a fumbled punt for a touchdown against the New Orleans Saints in the fourth quarter of a game at Raymond James Stadium on December 31, 2017 in Tampa, Florida. The Buccaneers won 31-24. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images)
TAMPA, FL - DECEMBER 31: Isaiah Johnson #39 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers celebrates with Peyton Barber #25 after returning a fumbled punt for a touchdown against the New Orleans Saints in the fourth quarter of a game at Raymond James Stadium on December 31, 2017 in Tampa, Florida. The Buccaneers won 31-24. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images) /
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CARSON, CA – NOVEMBER 19: E.J. Gaines #28 of the Buffalo Bills is seen prior to the game against the Los Angeles Chargers at the StubHub Center on November 19, 2017 in Carson, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
CARSON, CA – NOVEMBER 19: E.J. Gaines #28 of the Buffalo Bills is seen prior to the game against the Los Angeles Chargers at the StubHub Center on November 19, 2017 in Carson, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images) /

Buffalo Bills

The city of Buffalo is proud of their straight forward and hard-working approach. But their team sure did spark some drama this year on their way to their first playoff berth in nearly 18 years.

Since the season is over, it’s time to look ahead, and this likely means moving apart from quarterback Tyrod Taylor.

If you ask me, they’d be better off sticking with Taylor as their starting quarterback. However, adding $10 Million to their salary cap may be just what the Bills need to part ways.

Here are the rest of the team who may be leaving northwest New York:

Defensive Tackle, Kyle Williams

Fullback, Mike Tolbert

Quarterback, Joe Webb

Cornerback, Shareece Wright

Wide Receiver, Brandon Tate

Linebacker, Ramon Humber

Defensive Tackle, Cedric Thornton

Running Back, Taiwan Jones

Running Back, Tavaris Cadet

Wide Receiver, Deonte Thompson

Cornerback, Leonard Johnson

Strong Safety, Shamarko Thomas

Wide Receiver, Jordan Matthews

Linebacker, Preston Brown

Cornerback, E.J. Gaines

Right Tackle, Seantrel Henderson

Must Read: Is Winston getting better throwing into traffic?

You can pretty much count most of this list of the roster for next year I think. For one, the first eight names will be on the wrong side of 30 when the 2018 regular season kicks off. Thornton and Jones are 29, but turn 30 before the summer ends.

Beyond that, other than Kyle Williams, we aren’t talking about a single starter. Williams may very well retire, and if he returns it’ll be for much less than the more than $7 Million he made in 2017.

In the under-30 club, we may very well see a mass exodus happen there as well. Starting linebacker Preston Brown seems likely to get an offer to return. At age 25, he played well this season, and even if he ends up in reduced role to make room for a free-agent of high draft pick he should be able to stick.

Deonte Thompson definitely showed some potential to impact the team. Even if not from the WR1 position.

For the Buccaneers, either cornerback Gaines or Johnson would be of interest for me.

Johnson has obvious ties to the franchise with his time spent in the past in Tampa. Gaines started opposite of rookie Tre-Davious White and helped form one of the better defensive secondaries in the AFC.

I don’t believe for a moment the Bills will let Gaines walk out their doors, but if they aren’t willing to tag him, then they may not have a choice.

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