Depth positions that the Buccaneers have to address now
By Rob Leeds
Outside linebacker
Tampa Bay is in the direst need for other outside linebackers. The Bucs do have Shaquil Barrett and Jason Pierre-Paul already, but the quality of talent past them is minimal.
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Anthony Nelson was a 2019 draft pick for the Bucs and showed some upside, and Tampa Bay was also able to sign LSU product Michael Divinity Jr., but a veteran presence would go a long way here.
Pass rushers are often switched out during games, and even the most dominant require rest. The Buccaneers can choose to rotate in Divinity and Nelson in these roles, but that could be a substantial gamble based on their lack of experience.
The best-case scenario for Tampa Bay is to sign a cheaper veteran option to play that OLB3 role. There are enough older veteran players that still have some gas left in the tank that this wouldn’t be impossible to address.
Players like Clay Matthews and Terrell Suggs have still not found a team for 2020, and the Buccaneers should have them high on their list of potential free agents. Either of these players would serve as a contingency plan in case one of the starters gets injured and would be a more dependable option than what is on the roster now.
Nelson and Divinity could both grow into great players, but for the time being, a more established piece would go a long way in this win-now scenario.