Shaquil Barrett ‘Biggest Sleeper’ for Tampa Bay Buccaneers?

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers could have made one of the best signings of the offseason when they added edge rusher Shaquil Barrett to their roster.

In a recent article from Maurice Moton of Bleacher Report, Shaquil Barrett of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers was named the team’s “biggest sleeper” heading into training camp. Barrett was signed by the Buccaneers this offseason on a one-year deal worth $4 million for 2019 after spending the last five years with the Denver Broncos.

The Buccaneers will need Barrett this year after last season’s sack leader Jason Pierre-Paul is out until at least October or November. Other than Barrett they have only second round bust Noah Spence, fourth rounder Anthony Nelson, and another considerable sleeper in Carl Nassib.

"“The Buccaneers could have an unheralded playmaker on the edge in Shaquil Barrett, who couldn’t carve out a starting role in Denver… In Tampa Bay, the 26-year-old will have a shot to start at outside linebacker under defensive coordinator Todd Bowles” (Moton via Bleacher Report)."

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While Barrett was stuck behind the likes of Von Miller, Bradley Chubb, Elvis Dumervil, and Demarcus Ware during his time in Denver, he still managed to post solid numbers and was graded with a solid 76.1 according to Pro Football Focus (subscription required). He has posted 14 total sacks in four years as a solid contributor in a limited, rotational role with the Broncos.

Again, the Buccaneers’ only player with double-digit sacks from a year ago may not see the football field this year, so Barrett will need to step up for the Buccaneers. In Bowles’ 3-4 defensive scheme, Barrett should be right at home and fit into the Buccaneers’ defense like a glove in 2019, and it turn become a double-digit sack performer.

Barrett will enter 2019 with a gigantic chip on his shoulder, eager to prove the Broncos did not give him enough playing time. The Buccaneers will not make that same mistake.

While the depth along the Buccaneers’ defensive front might be light, they may be able to stretch the success on the field a bit further with Barrett in an extended role for the first time in his career.. Look out for Barrett off the edge in the pewter and red as they attempt to climb out of the basement of the NFC South.