Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Free agents the Bucs need to target
By Rob Leeds
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are currently on the cusp of the playoffs and the addition of several free agents could give the team that extra push in 2020.
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are an incredibly young team across the board. Many of the players in starting and pivotal roles are in the early years of their NFL careers and a veteran presence is lacking in some places on defense especially.
The Buccaneers will look to rectify this problem through the addition of multiple free agents to supplement the players that will be added in the draft.
While the market in Tampa Bay may not have the draw of some of the bigger teams, the Buccaneers have shown that they can find good free agent additions from time to time.
More from The Pewter Plank
- Devin White posts cryptic message to Lavonte David on Twitter
- ESPN predicts surprising outcome to Devin White trade saga
- Updated Buccaneers depth chart after signing two players from rookie minicamp
- Todd Bowles sends clear message about Baker Mayfield’s role with Bucs
- The Athletic is wrong about Bucs one ‘must-watch’ game in 2023
During the 2019 season Shaquil Barrett was one of the best defensive players in the league and received All-Pro honors as well as a Pro Bowl selection. While he may not have been as dominant as Barrett, Ndamukong Suh was also a solid free agent acquisition to improve the run defense for the Bucs.
These free agents were able to show that just a few moves, even those that may seem inconsequential, have the ability to make a change on a team like the Bucs. Even though the Buccaneers have a limited cap space, the addition of these players would go a long way in 2020.
1. Chris Thompson, RB
If the Buccaneers are truly planning on moving on from Peyton Barber, they need to bring in a veteran to teach the other backs on the team while also not supplanting Ronald Jones from his role as a starter.
Chris Thompson would be a perfect fit for this spot as he has been in the league since 2013 and has shown himself to be a competent receiving back.
Thompson would prove the perfect combination of leader vocally and could help Rojo take his next steps as a pass catcher.
Chris Thompson would be a much better option than most of the other running backs on the market because of his cheap price tag. It makes little sense in the modern NFL to pay a running back when the Chiefs and the 49ers just played the Super Bowl with Damien Williams and Raheem Mostert.
Chris Thompson may not be the flashiest name, but the Buccaneer running backs could certainly learn under him as he takes over third down duties.