Tampa Bay Buccaneers: 3 more bargain free agents to target
By Cory Kinnan
Johnathan Cyprien
While Bucannon has the potential to play strong safety and will fly all over the field like a heat-seeking missile, the Bucs would be wise to get another fulltime strong safety to field the two together; enter Johnathan Cyprien. Missed tackles were a huge issue for the Bucs in 2018, and fielding a couple hard hitters would go a long way for Bowles’ defense.
In New York, Bowles preferred to field two safeties at a time that had no problem stepping up in run support with Jamal Adams and Marcus Maye. While Bucannon and Cyprien are obviously a step down from the tandem that the Jets have assembled, stopping the run while fielding the athleticism to play the pass is key in a division with Alvin Kamara, Devonta Freeman, and Christian McCaffrey.
Cyprien has tallied over 100 tackles in four of his five seasons in the league, and has forced six turnovers in his career; he has knocked down an additional 16 passes and recorded 12 tackles for loss.
Next. Buccaneeers: Players that could be on the chopping block. dark
If the Buccaneers have plans of competing in the NFC South, then they must prioritize getting more athletic at the second and third levels to stop the athletic running backs that run wild at will. Starting his career with the Jacksonville Jaguars, the Bucs should explore bringing Cyprien back to Florida.