Tampa Bay Buccaneers 2018 Free-Agency Spotlight: CB, E.J. Gaines
A target for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers to boost their secondary for 2018 and beyond might be free-agent cornerback, E.J. Gaines.
With Brent Grimes’ status still unknown, and presumed to be of the not returning variety, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers have a serious lack of top-end talent and depth at the cornerback position.
Vernon Hargreaves has potential and looked really solid once moved inside during the 2017 NFL season. Beyond him there’s athleticism and potential, but not much in production up to this point.
Gaines to Tampa has grown a little in speculation and rumor, and he could be one of the first names on Jason Licht’s call sheet if the team plans to aggressively pursue options to improve on last year’s defense.
E.J. Gaines’ Career
Gaines was a sixth-round draft pick coming out of Missouri in 2014. He immediately outshined his draft positioning and started fifteen games that season.
In his rookie year for the Rams, Gaines racked up 70 tackles and two interceptions with fourteen passes defended.
It’s obvious, he was tested and passed with flying colors. However, his sophomore campaign was struck down before it ever started as he was placed on injured reserve in August of that year.
He started another ten games in 2016, his last with the Rams, but again missed time due to injury.
Traded as part of the Sammy Watkins acquisition by Los Angeles, Gaines spent the 2017 season in Buffalo where he started in eleven games notching one interception and 59 tackles with nine passes defended.
With the emergence of Tre’Davious White and the signing of Vontae Davis, the Bills may not necessarily be flat-out moving on from Gaines, but they’re willingness to pay open market prices is certainly dwindling.
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Why the Tampa Bay Buccaneers Need Him
The pass rush was no help, but either way you slice it, the Bucs secondary got cut up in 2017.
Gaines is a talented player who has been tested repeatedly and passed on every occasion.
He’s 26-years old, which means his healthiest days could be ahead of him. Pairing him with Hargreaves gives the Bucs a formidable duo, and if the team can find a third defender to play outside so VH3 and can stay inside, then it gets even better.
Whether it’s Gaines or Trumaine Johnson or a draft pick in the first two or three rounds, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers flat-out need secondary help. Specifically, at corner.
What Will Gaines Cost?
Obviously, there’s no way to predict down to the penny what a player will get in free-agency. It’s the ultimate football example of capitalism. Supply and demand.
Quite frankly, solid cover cornerbacks who are willing to stick their nose in the fray and tackle are always going to attract attention. Getting an early meeting will be more important than how much money a team has, in this situation.
However, Spotrac does a pretty decent job of comparing market value to player performance. And they estimate Gaines will draw just over $9 Million per year with his new contract.
Will It Happen?
I’ve made no secret about my desire to have Jason Licht sign Johnson. Also, formerly of the Rams. However, if the Bucs GM decided to go with the cheaper, albeit still talented option I wouldn’t hate him.
Tampa Bay has some key contracts of their own coming up for renewal even after inking star receiver Mike Evans to a five-year deal.
In the end, if I’m being completely honest, I think this signing is more likely than Johnson’s.
Next: The Browns are Impacting the Bucs
What are your thoughts on E.J. Gaines joining the Tampa Bay Buccaneers? Let me know in the comments or on social media to discuss.