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10 players who could help Tampa Bay Buccaneers defense in 2019

By Ryan Doyle

PHILADELPHIA, PA - DECEMBER 23: Free safety Tyrann Mathieu #32 of the Houston Texans celebrates an interception by inside linebacker Benardrick McKinney #55 (not pictured) against the Philadelphia Eagles during the third quarter at Lincoln Financial Field on December 23, 2018 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images)
PHILADELPHIA, PA - DECEMBER 23: Free safety Tyrann Mathieu #32 of the Houston Texans celebrates an interception by inside linebacker Benardrick McKinney #55 (not pictured) against the Philadelphia Eagles during the third quarter at Lincoln Financial Field on December 23, 2018 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images) /
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KNOXVILLE, TN – SEPTEMBER 22: Jachai Polite #99 of the Florida Gators puts a hit on Quarterback Jarrett Guarantano #2 of the Tennessee Volunteers as he loses the ball during the first quarter of the game between the Florida Gators and Tennessee Volunteers at Neyland Stadium on September 22, 2018 in Knoxville, Tennessee. (Photo by Donald Page/Getty Images)
KNOXVILLE, TN – SEPTEMBER 22: Jachai Polite #99 of the Florida Gators puts a hit on Quarterback Jarrett Guarantano #2 of the Tennessee Volunteers as he loses the ball during the first quarter of the game between the Florida Gators and Tennessee Volunteers at Neyland Stadium on September 22, 2018 in Knoxville, Tennessee. (Photo by Donald Page/Getty Images) /

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers defense was a mess this season. Here are 10 players that can help turn the unit around in 2019.

Priority number one for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers this offseason will be to address the defense. With a new coaching staff in tow, the front office must add talent in hopes of a significant turnaround.

Tampa Bay tried to address the situation by firing Mike Smith in the middle of the season, but no coordinator could have salvaged the unit.

The group has taken baby steps down the stretch under new defensive coordinator Mark Duffner. A litany of injuries and lack of depth has made it hard to hide the holes on the defensive side of the ball.

Statistically, things can’t get worse for the Buccaneers. They are allowing 28.7 points per game, the third-worst mark in the league. They also sit in the bottom ten in yards allowed (376.3) and takeaways (16).

Tampa Bay could use talent at every level. Their veteran front seven needs depth as was apparent when Kwon Alexander went down with a torn ACL.

Related Story. Buccaneers historically bad defense will define 2018 season. light

The lack of playmakers, in the secondary in particular, makes it hard to succeed in a pass-happy attack in the NFL.

In the secondary, the unit needs a leader. There is young talent which can develop into useful pieces down the road, but the backend needs someone to make plays in the present. The Bucs shouldn’t be picky regarding the position, a ball-hawking safety or cornerback would work wonders for Tampa.

There is no way Tampa Bay can land all of these players due to their limited cap space, but even adding one or two of them could finally make the Bucs defense a strength.

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