Tampa Bay Buccaneers ink deal with hybrid safety Deone Bucannon

After losing a defender to free agency yesterday, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers add one today in hybrid safety/linebacker Deone Bucannon.

Two signings in one day, first with the re-signing of quarterback Ryan Griffin, now with the signing of versatile defender Deone Bucannon. Jenna Laine of ESPN reports that the hybrid linebacker and safety has inked a one-year deal with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Bucannon has had his most productive seasons under head coach Bruce Arians and defensive coordinator Todd Bowles, and now he signs a prove it deal with the Bucs to do just that, prove that his lack of production was from misuse and not playmaking ability. After losing Kwon Alexander a day ago, adding a piece like Bucannon fills multiple voids for the Buccaneers.

With the new surge of spread offenses and speed on the field offensively, adding a piece like Bucannon who can run with tight ends and running backs becomes an extremely valuable piece in today’s league. This low risk, high reward signing has potential to pay big dividends for Tampa Bay.

Bucannon suffered under new head coach Steve Wilks in 2018, seeing his production decrease mightily, however before that, the hard-hitting safety was averaging around 90 tackles per season, and about seven of those coming behind the line of scrimmage. Throughout his career, he has stuffed the stat sheet, recording seven sacks, two interceptions, 404 tackles, 27 of which have come behind the line of scrimmage, and has forced seven fumbles.

Expect the soon-to-be 27-year-old former first round pick to return to prominence with Bowles back in his corner and expect the Bucs to re-sign him for more than just this year if that is the case. With a ton still left in the tank and a massive chip on his shoulder Bucannon should see the field plenty and make an immediate impact on the Tampa Bay defense.