Tampa Bay Buccaneers may still be in the safety market

Despite the heavy spending spree and more players to extend, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers are reportedly still in the market for a safety.

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers have made some serious improvements in the trenches this off-season. The free agent signings of Beau Allen, Ryan Jensen, Mitch Unrein, and Vinny Curry – plus the trade for Jason Pierre-Paul – allowed Jason Licht address some of the most glaring needs on the team. That said, it doesn’t seem like they’re done.

With holes still at guard, running back, and the secondary, it sounds like Licht may be pursuing a safety on the free agent market;

Now, this isn’t saying that the Bucs are definitely going to sign a free agent safety, but Jason Licht is at least getting his feelers out there. Addressing safety gives the Bucs even more flexibility in the draft to take the best available player rather than be stuck reaching for a need.

Derwin James and Minkah Fitzpatrick are popular names at number seven now that the Bucs have JPP on the edge, but you can’t overstate how big flexibility is, especially in the top ten. Signing a safety now would give them four on the roster and if they deem James or Fitzpatrick the best player available, they can go ahead and take them. However, if they don’t, having that fourth safety signed will allow them to take someone else, or even trade down and possibly get that third round pick back they lost in the Giants trade.

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There are plenty of upgrades left on the market for the Bucs if they sign a safety. Of course the most popular name is Eric Reid. Some believe his anthem protests are impacting his market, but for the most part, the safeties that were available when free agency opened are still out there. It seems to be an overlooked position at this point – or perhaps teams are hoping they can snag James or Fitzpatrick before they spend the money on a free agent.

Outside Reid, there is still Tre Boston, Kenny Vaccaro, Mike Mitchell, T.J. Ward (who won’t be returning), Darius Byrd, Ron Parker, Shamarko Thomas, Tyvon Branch, and Quintin Demps among others still floating out there. That’s certainly not the bottom of the barrel when it comes to talent.

The Buccaneers have approximately $22.9 million left under the cap, with close to $8 million needed for their draft picks as it stands now. With extensions for Kwon Alexander, Ali Marpet, and Donovan Smith on the horizon – plus Jameis Winston‘s fifth year option plus his extension – the Bucs have to spend wisely. There are players on the roster now they can still walk away from with little to know dead cap to help themselves out as well as more next season to give themselves even more wiggle room.

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If they sign a safety, it’ll likely be a one or two year, low money deal that won’t hurt the long term plans of Jason Licht or Dirk Koetter. One thing is for sure – Mike Greenberg’s cap knowledge is unrivaled and if anyone can figure out how to structure all these deals, allowing the Tampa Bay Buccaneers roster to continue to improve, it’s him.