Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Get to know second wave of free agent signings
By Cory Kinnan
Earl Watford
Watford signed a one-year deal with the Buccaneers, returning to the coach who drafted him to the Arizona Cardinals in Arians. During his career, Watford has spent time four seasons in Arizona after being selected in the fourth round of the 2013 draft, and then spent 2018 with the Cleveland Browns.
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Throughout his five-year career, Watford has started 22 games, all as a member of the Cardinals. The two-year span from 2016-2017, Watford saw 20 total starts, playing right guard, left guard, and right tackle as the Cardinals’ swing lineman. He came to Cleveland last offseason, but did not factor as much of a contributor except on special teams and was often a healthy scratch.
Coming to Tampa Bay, Watford seems to have an opportunity to compete for the right guard job with second year player Alex Cappa after Caleb Benenoch was moved to a reserve tackle role for the 2019 season. Returning to the coach who named him a starter in Arizona, Watford just might have the edge as well.
Whether or not Watford starts, he adds some much-needed depth to a position that proved to be a gaping hole last season at right guard. It is extremely difficult to keep all five lineman healthy all season, so adding a veteran who can play both positions was a nice move by the Bucs.