Buccaneers 2018 Free-Agency Spotlight: Cornerback, Kyle Fuller

DETROIT, MI - DECEMBER 16: Kyle Fuller #23 of the Chicago Bears runs for yardage against the Detroit Lions during the first half at Ford Field on December 16, 2017 in Detroit, Michigan. (Photo by Leon Halip/Getty Images)
DETROIT, MI - DECEMBER 16: Kyle Fuller #23 of the Chicago Bears runs for yardage against the Detroit Lions during the first half at Ford Field on December 16, 2017 in Detroit, Michigan. (Photo by Leon Halip/Getty Images) /
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A target for the Buccaneers to help resurrect its once proud defense could be current Bears cornerback, Kyle Fuller.

Right now, the best cornerback the Buccaneers have on the roster for 2018 seems to be best suited for playing inside against slot receivers.

Vernon Hargreaves could certainly carve out quite a successful career becoming a shut-down inside presence, but it’s not going to help his team against the likes of Julio Jones, Devin Funchess and Michael Thomas who almost exclusively operate on the perimeter.

Instead, they’re going to need guys like Fuller. Players with talent now, and plenty of upside still left.

Here, we’ll look at the player and discuss whether or not a move to sign another former Bears defensive back might be a good decision to make.

Kyle Fuller’s Career

A first-round draft pick by the Chicago Bears in 2014, Fuller could be playing this season on his option year.

Instead, he’s an unrestricted free-agent because the team decided not to exercise the option they held by selecting him in the first-round.

It’s hard to blame them. He was up-and-down early, and then missed all of 2016 with a knee injury. The injury triggered the Bears into signing two starting corners, but Fuller was able to return in 2017 and had a pretty solid season.

Still, the team seems hesitant to commit to him long-term for the kind of money he’s looking for. The kind of money he’d get on the open market.

Chicago has yet to say whether or not they’d be willing to franchise the 26-year old cornerback. And he could become an unrestricted free-agent if they choose not to.

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Why the Buccaneers Need Him

Pass defense. Simple, right? Not so much. See, the Bucs don’t have a lot of talent at corner.

Even worse, they don’t have a lot of talent who seem to be able to play on the outside with much success on a consistent basis.

Veteran Brent Grimes has an open invite to return to the team in 2018 but has yet to commit one way or another.

If he walks or retires, then Tampa is really in need of corner help.

Bringing in Fuller will cost less than a Trumaine Johnson yet would still give the Bucs a solid defender outside of Hargreaves.

It would also allow the team to maintain some free money for the big signing attempts coming up with guys like Kwon Alexander, Ali Marpet and Jameis Winston.

What Will Fuller Cost?

This is kind of hard to say. Harder than some of our other candidates that is.

See, there’s no flat market for Fuller because of the knee surgery and the fact he plateaued earlier in his career before this.

I’m going to speculate that with his perceived upside, one solid year between he and season ending knee problems, and the market inflation…he’ll get….$7 Million per year on average.

Will It Happen?

I think Jason Licht and Fuller’s people will at least have a discussion, if he gets out of the building in Chicago in the first place.

If the Buccaneers lose out on Trumaine Johnson, they almost have to pursue Fuller, even if it means overpaying.

Tampa needs help in the secondary, so if it’s not Johnson and it’s not Fuller, who is it going to be?

What are your thoughts on Isaiah Fuller joining the Tampa Bay Buccaneers? Let me know in the comments or on social media to discuss.

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David Harrison is one of the Buccaneers Co-Experts for The Pewter Plank. You can reach him about this or any other NFL topic on Facebook, or on Twitter.