Tampa Bay Buccaneers: 3 potential Gerald McCoy replacements
By Cory Kinnan
Muhammad Wilkerson
A first round pick of the New York Jets back in 2011, Muhammad Wilkerson is now looking for his third team and is still on the market. Wilkerson played only three games in 2018, and because of his lack of playing time due to injury, he will also come at a bargain of a price for Tampa Bay should they choose to pursue his services.
From his defensive tackle position, Wilkerson has tallied two seasons of over ten sacks, and has totaled 44.5 over his career while averaging nearly ten tackles for loss per season when he is healthy. The one time pro bowler is listed at 6’4 and 315 pounds, making him the ideal size to play on the interior of Bowles’ defensive front.He has history with Bowles in New York, so the standing of the relationship between the two could be the deciding factor.
After not adding any depth to the defensive line in the draft or early in free agency, the Buccaneers will be forced to search the bargain bin on the market if they do, in fact, decide to move McCoy. Wilkerson would be a solid, risk-free defensive lineman to sign to a short term deal who could be plugged in and started day-one in Tampa Bay.