5 priorities for Buccaneers to improve this offseason

TAMPA, FLORIDA - AUGUST 16: Head coach Bruce Arians of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers looks on against the Miami Dolphins during the preseason game at Raymond James Stadium on August 16, 2019 in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images)
TAMPA, FLORIDA - AUGUST 16: Head coach Bruce Arians of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers looks on against the Miami Dolphins during the preseason game at Raymond James Stadium on August 16, 2019 in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images)
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DETROIT, MI – DECEMBER 15: Sean Murphy-Bunting #26 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers scores a pick six touchdown against the Detroit Lions in the fourth quarter at Ford Field on December 15, 2019 in Detroit, Michigan. (Photo by Rey Del Rio/Getty Images)
DETROIT, MI – DECEMBER 15: Sean Murphy-Bunting #26 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers scores a pick six touchdown against the Detroit Lions in the fourth quarter at Ford Field on December 15, 2019 in Detroit, Michigan. (Photo by Rey Del Rio/Getty Images)

3. Address secondary early in draft

Whether folks like to admit it or not, it was the resurgence of the Buccaneers’ defense (especially the secondary) that spurred the four game win streak late in the season, not Winston. Jameis was his inconsistently consistent self all year, evident from the 30 touchdowns and 30 interceptions as well as being a high volume thrower.

Whether those high volume numbers ballooned towards the back end of schedule with much weaker defenses, is hearsay. But anyone watching the Buccaneers this year has noticed the change in defensive awareness in the secondary after releasing Vernon Hargreaves.

Since the Week 10 matchup in which Jamel Dean replaced Hargreaves after he was benched, the trio of Dean, Carlton Davis and rookie, Sean Murphy-Bunting began to produce big numbers. Since Hargreaves’ benching the three have produced an absurd 31 pass deflections, two forced fumbles and four interceptions. Wonder who was holding who back in the secondary room?

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