Buccaneers: Examining free-agents from Jacksonville and Minnesota
Jacksonville Jaguars
Buccaneers fans were beside themselves watching Blake Bortles in a conference championship game. We’ve all learned by now, it’s not the most talented player who gets the shot, it’s the most successful team.
Don’t believe me? Ask Dan Marino.
Jacksonville figures to have around $25 Million after their 2017 roll-over cap space kicks in. This is enough to add some key pieces, but they have to get this just right to return in 2018.
It’s going to start with their own guys. Here they are.
Linebacker, Paul Posluszny
Quarterback, Chad Henne
Linebacker, Lerentee McCray
Wide Receiver, Marqise Lee
Wide Recevier, Allen Robinson
Guard, Patrick Omameh
Long-Snapper, Matt Overton
Safety, Peyton Thompson
Cornerback, Aaron Colvin
Must Read: Where is Licht looking?
Most Likely to Leave: Linebacker, Paul Posluszny
He’ll be 34 before next year’s playoffs, and the Jaguars are getting younger and faster. Teams like the Buccaneers themselves have shown the ability to find good linebacker talent in middle rounds of the NFL Draft.
With Telvin Smith and Myles Jack already on roster, the Jags can safely look elsewhere as this veteran moves on.
Most Likely to Re-Sign: Wide Receiver, Allen Robinson
One one hand, Robinson may never be the same following his torn ACL. On the other, not bringing him back puts the Jaguars in an immediate scenario where receiver becomes a priority.
Re-signing him will be cheaper coming off the injury on what would likely be a one or two-year deal.
Bringing him back will allow the team to target another wide receiver in the second or third rounds, and not break the bank like it once would have.
Best Target for the Buccaneers: Cornerback, Aaron Colvin
Jacksonville doesn’t have the largest cap number to work with, and this could lead to the departure of Colvin.
A.J. Bouye and Jalen Ramsey all but eliminate any shot Colvin has at earning a starting role in Jacksonville, so if he’s going to get one, it’s got to come via free-agency.
The former fourth-round pick has impressed on his current team, and he’ll cash in on the fact he’s coming off of one of the more dominant defenses in the league.
Playing 68% of his team’s defensive snaps shows just how much he was a factor, even if the raw stats don’t show it.
In Tampa, he’d get the chance to shine as teams shy away from Brent Grimes – who hopefully comes back. Bucs have the money to do it, only question is whether or not they will.