Tampa Bay Buccaneers: 5 free agent safety targets

By Ryan Doyle | Jul 9, 2018

NEW ORLEANS, LA - SEPTEMBER 20: Vincent Jackson #83 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers is hit by Kenny Vaccaro #32 of the New Orleans Saints during the second quarter of a game at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome on September 20, 2015 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images) /

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PITTSBURGH, PA – JANUARY 14: Mike Mitchell #23 of the Pittsburgh Steelers reacts against the Jacksonville Jaguars during the second half of the AFC Divisional Playoff game at Heinz Field on January 14, 2018 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images) /

Mike Mitchell

Over the past four seasons with the Pittsburgh Steelers Mike Mitchell has been a constant in the secondary. He signed a 5-year, $25 million deal back in 2014 and had a solid stint in black and gold.

The move to release Mitchell was to create more financial flexibility for Pittsburgh. But he is entering his age 31 season. He only missed three games for the Steelers, but could slow down in the coming years.

Mitchell loves to hit. Most of his biggest plays with the Steelers were bone-crushing hits over the middle. Some of them costed him a good chunk of his paycheck.

He started in 13 games last season and had 53 tackles. Clearly, he can be a presence in the middle of a defense. It might make sense to take a chance on Mitchell with a one-year deal. Another veteran who knows his strengths and can fit into defensive coordinator Mike Smith’s scheme.

Next: Justin Evans poised for the Pro Bowl

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