Tampa Bay Buccaneers: 3 Bargains to target in free agency

Deone Bucannon

The converted safety to linebacker Deone Bucannon hits the market after a down year under one-year head coach Steve Wilks where he could barely sniff the field in Arizona. A former key piece of Todd Bowles’ defense when he was the defensive coordinator for the Cardinals, Bucannon could return to his former coach that he thrived under.

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Bucannon hits free agency at the age of 26 and had his best year under Bowles in 2015 where he tallied over 100 tackles, one pick, one score, three forced fumbles, and three sacks. He is still young enough to return to that level of play if he is put in the right scheme, and what better opportunity than to return to Bowles’ defensive scheme.

In his five-year career to this point, the hybrid backer has tallied two picks, forced seven fumbles, totaled seven sacks and 27 tackles for loss. At 6’1, 210 pounds and at only 26-years-old, Bucannon has a lot left in the tank.

After a down year, Bucannon should be rather cost-effective if the Buccaneers plan to pursue him. With the impending free agency of Kwon Alexander and the potential career-ending injury to Kendell Beckwith, the Bucs are in deep need of some help at their linebacking core; Bucannon could fill that need in Tampa Bay.