Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Get to know second wave of free agent signings

GLENDALE, AZ - OCTOBER 23: Offensive guard Earl Watford #78 of the Arizona Cardinals in action during the NFL game against the Seattle Seahawks at the University of Phoenix Stadium on October 23, 2016 in Glendale, Arizona. The Cardinals and Seahawks tied 6-6. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
GLENDALE, AZ - OCTOBER 23: Offensive guard Earl Watford #78 of the Arizona Cardinals in action during the NFL game against the Seattle Seahawks at the University of Phoenix Stadium on October 23, 2016 in Glendale, Arizona. The Cardinals and Seahawks tied 6-6. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images) /
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(Photo by Jonathan Bachman/Getty Images)
(Photo by Jonathan Bachman/Getty Images) /

Shaquil Barrett

The signing of Barrett was a slam dunk for the Buccaneers. With only Jason Pierre-Paul in double digits a year ago, adding a young and talented pass rusher in Barrett could pay big dividends for Tampa Bay in 2019.

Barrett was undrafted out of Colorado State in the 2014 NFL Draft, and after spending one year on the Broncos’ practice squad, he was promoted to the active roster, where he has stuck in Denver for four years since. He signs with Tampa Bay on a one-year deal worth $4 million and sees the chance at a much bigger role than he was stuck with in Denver.

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With only 14 career sacks and 25 tackles behind the line of scrimmage in four seasons on the Broncos’ active roster, Barrett still managed to consistently be one of the highest graded players on the Broncos defense week in and week out. However, stuck behind Von Miller and Bradley Chubb, Barrett’s playing time has been limited.

Finally getting the opportunity to be a full-time starter with the Buccaneers, it would not be a shock to see him hit double-digit sacks in 2019 and help greatly improve a Tampa Bay pass rush that struggled mightily just a year ago.