4 steps to fixing the abysmal Tampa Bay Buccaneers defense
By Jacob Holley
4. Let expiring contracts expire and sign new talent
Have you heard all the talk about our salary cap room? “They have no money, they’re in a corner.”
Yes, that’s true. Guess why?
Re-signing players to dumb contracts (Donovan Smith, Jameis Winston) has defeated the team’s chances to contend for top free agents as of late.
The Buccaneers could cut just over $27 million in average annual value and much more in actual cap value by letting Jameis Winston, Ndamukong Suh, Demar Dotson, Beau Allen, Breshaud Perriman (who should’ve been cut at the deadline) and Peyton Barber walk this offseason.
If you’re thinking that’s a lot, that’s because it is.
However, this upcoming free agency class is loaded on defense.
What about the defensive players that the Buccaneers could go after by letting those contracts expire? How about all 6’6 and 300 lbs of Chris Jones from the Chiefs coming off of the edge? Maybe Deion Jones in the linebacking corpse with Devin White and Shaq Barrett?
How about strictly defensive backs?
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Marcus Peters, Byron Jones, Kendall Fuller and Chris Harris Jr. are all corners that could be available. Damarious Randall and Ha Ha Clinton-Dix will also more than likely be available at safety.
If you as a fan are tired of starting young guns that have the potential to be starters, then it’s time to sign some day-one starters.