Deone Bucannon
The first new signing of the free agent period for the Buccaneers was hybrid defender Deone Bucannon, who can play both safety and linebacker. Bucannon played under new defensive coordinator Bowles as a member of the Arizona Cardinals.
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Bucannon’s best years of his career came during his time under Bowles in 2015, a year where Bucannon tallied over 100 tackles, three sacks, three forced fumbles, and one interception returned for a touchdown. Even after Bowles left Arizona to become the head coach of the New York Jets, Bucannon remained productive until Steve Wilks became the head coach of the Cardinals in 2018 and cast the versatile defender out of his defense.
The former first round pick back in 2014 of Washington State should come into 2019 with a rather large chip on his shoulder and at the age of only 26, Bucannon has plenty left in the tank; returning to a familiar face in Bowles can only help to benefit him as well.
Expect Bucannon to be heavily utilized in Tampa Bay’s defense and deployed all over the field. Tampa Bay and the five-year vet both hope to return to his ways of a heat seeking missile on the football field in 2019.