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Buccaneers: Examining free-agents from eliminated division round 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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NASHVILLE, TN – DECEMBER 03: DaQuan Jones #90 of the Tennessee Titans reacts against the Houston Texans during the first half at Nissan Stadium on December 3, 2017 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Wesley Hitt/Getty Images)
NASHVILLE, TN – DECEMBER 03: DaQuan Jones #90 of the Tennessee Titans reacts against the Houston Texans during the first half at Nissan Stadium on December 3, 2017 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Wesley Hitt/Getty Images) /

Tennessee Titans

Buccaneers fans probably pay attention to the Titans a little more than they’d like to. Watching Jameis Winston go home while Marcus Mariota got his first two playoff games, and first playoff win, under his belt isn’t where the fan base thought we’d be. Yet, here we are.

Believe me, Winston and his teammates have no plans to be on vacation this time next season, and there may be some guys from the other side of the Mariota/Winston comparison who can help with the efforts.

Their upcoming free-agents are:

Wide Receiver, Eric Decker

Wide Receiver, Harry Douglas

Linebacker, Erik Walden

Kicker, Ryan Succop

Cornerback, Brice McCain

Guard, Josh Kline

Wide Receiver, Eric Weems

Center, Brian Schwenke

Quarterback, Brandon Weeden

Defensive End, DaQuan Jones

Linebacker, Avery Williamson

Must Read: Oklahome Draft Prospects

Most Likely to Leave: Wide Receiver, Eric Decker

The Titans paid Decker $4 Million this season, and he gave them 54 catches for 563-yards and one touchdown in return.

Not a good return on investment, and frankly, Decker doesn’t fit the Titans offense. Well, the one they had.

With their head coach on his way out, it’s hard to tell right now just what the new guy will want, but spending a solid chunk of cap space on a soon to be 31-year old receiver with three touchdown catches in the last two years doesn’t sound like a good idea.

Most Likely to Re-Sign: Guard, Josh Kline

Kline started all 16 games at guard for the Titans this year, and helped them build a rushing attack which ranked in the top half of the league.

He’s 28, with solid experience and a pretty healthy track record. They won’t have to overpay, and still may bring in some competition. But, I’d expect Kline to be back in Tennessee.

The squad is one-year removed from having the NFL’s best ranked rushing attack, and this year’s dip has more to do with teams forcing Mariota to beat them than anything.

Best Target for the Buccaneers: Defensive End, DaQuan Jones

Price tag might be what does in this deal, but Jones is coming off a biceps injury which held him out of the final four games of the season.

Still, as a 3-4 defensive end, Jones pushed his way to three and a half sacks.

The Bucs run a 4-3 predominantly, a base defense Jones is familiar with from his days at Penn State.

When the team does switch to a three-man front, they’d have a guy comfortable coming off the edge there too. It makes sense for Jason Licht to kick the tires if he escapes Tennessee.

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