The Pewter Plank
FanSided

3 free agent defensive backs Tampa Bay Buccaneers could target

By Cory Kinnan

ATLANTA, GA - DECEMBER 4: Eric Berry #29 of the Kansas City Chiefs celebrates after the game against the Atlanta Falcons at the Georgia Dome on December 4, 2016 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Scott Cunningham/Getty Images)
ATLANTA, GA - DECEMBER 4: Eric Berry #29 of the Kansas City Chiefs celebrates after the game against the Atlanta Falcons at the Georgia Dome on December 4, 2016 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Scott Cunningham/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
4 of 4
Next
EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ – OCTOBER 14: Cornerback Morris Claiborne #21 of the New York Jets celebrates after scoring a touchdown against the Indianapolis Colts in the first quarter at MetLife Stadium on October 14, 2018 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Photo by Mike Stobe/Getty Images)
EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ – OCTOBER 14: Cornerback Morris Claiborne #21 of the New York Jets celebrates after scoring a touchdown against the Indianapolis Colts in the first quarter at MetLife Stadium on October 14, 2018 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Photo by Mike Stobe/Getty Images) /

CB Morris Claiborne

Veteran cornerback Morris Claiborne and the Buccaneers are a link that cannot be broken this offseason. It was reported earlier this offseason that the Buccaneers had offered him a one-year deal worth right around the veteran minimum, a deal which he declined. Could they give him a call now that Smith has been suspended the first four games of the season?

The former sixth overall pick of the Dallas Cowboys in 2012 has never quite lived up to the hype he received out of Louisiana State. However over the past three years, Claiborne has seemed to hit his groove and find his role in the league.

Over the past three years, one with the Cowboys and two with Bowles and the New York Jets, Claiborne has tallied a total of four interceptions, one defensive touchdown, 27 passes defended, and 102 solo tackles from his cornerback position. He has also tallied five tackles for loss in that span as well, showing an ability to come off the edge and meet ball carriers.

Next. 4 Tampa Bay Buccaneers on their last straw in 2019. dark

The Buccaneers are currently set to roll out Davis and Hargreaves as the starters to begin training camp with Murphy-Bunting and Dean set to compete for the primary gigs. If the Buccaneers do not want to throw their youngsters into the first in year-one, then adding a veteran like Claiborne makes a world of sense.

Home/Bucs News