Tampa Bay Buccaneers: 3 potential Gerald McCoy replacements

The rumors surrounding Gerald McCoy’s future with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers will not die down. If the team moves him, they will need to find a replacement.

If the Tampa Bay Buccaneers are serious about moving on from long time defensive tackle, team captain, and perennial pro bowler Gerald McCoy, then they must have a backup plan in place as their current depth along the defensive line will not fill his void. While McCoy is no longer worth the $13 million left on his contract, he is still quite a productive player who will not be easy to replace.

Up until 2018, McCoy had been named to six straight pro bowls, and had he been healthy for the whole year, he may have made it seven straight. McCoy finished the 2018 season with six sacks, tied with his production from the year before and one off of his number from 2016. He also recorded 21 quarterback hits, tied for second most in his career, and six tackles for loss; McCoy played just 14 games last season as well.

There are a few names left on the free agent market who could come into Tampa Bay and start right away at the fraction of the cost of McCoy, if the Buccaneers do choose to move on from their first round pick back in 2010. Here are three players who are still looking for a new home who could play the role of McCoy in 2018 for the Buccaneers.