Why Josh Jones should be on Buccaneers radar

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are in need of some safety depth, and a talented third year heavy hitter was just released by the Green Bay Packers in Josh Jones.

The Green Bay Packers released disgruntled safety Josh Jones just two years after being a second round pick of the team out of North Carolina State. Jones has been upset over his role and use with the Packers, but with the lack of depth and talent at the safety position, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers must have the third year safety on their radar.

The Buccaneers have battled multiple injuries at the safety position, including third round pick Mike Edwards and two year starter Justin Evans. While Evans is now easing his way back into action and hoping to be ready by week one, Edwards is now going on close to three weeks of missing time.

In addition to Edwards and Evans, the Buccaneers have lost Orion Stewart to a torn ACL and undrafted rookie D’Cota Dixon as well. The injury bug has not been kind to the safety group down in Tampa Bay.

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Through the first two years of his career, Jones has recorded 12 starts as a linebacker/safety hybrid for the Packers, similar to the role Deone Bucannon has played. However, Jones is strictly a nickel safety and can play close to the line of scrimmage where Bucannon has transitioned almost completely into a linebacker.

In his 12 starts, Jones as recorded one interception, seven passes defended, three sacks, 96 solo tackles, and seven tackles for loss. In limited action, the amount of stats that Jones has stuffed into the sheet is impressive; the Buccaneers would gain immense talent to their secondary and add another swiss army knife to Todd Bowles’ arsenal.

Coming out of North Carolina State, Jones set the combine on fire, measuring in at a massive 6-1 and 203 pounds while still running a 4.41 second 40 yard dash and hitting 11 feet on his broad jump and 37.5 inches on his vertical jump; this gave Jones a Relative Athletic Score of 9.07 out of 10.

There is no doubt that under the right coaching Jones could thrive in the NFL. Give Jones Bowles and a heavy blitzing and aggressive scheme and he could flourish. The Buccaneers have the ability to give Jones a fresh start and add talent to their battered safety group.