The five best moves the Buccaneers made during the 2020 offseason
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers made some major power moves over the course of the 2020 offseason, including free agency and the NFL Draft.
The Buccaneers were considered one of the winners from the overall offseason and, as a result, Tampa Bay is now considered one of the favorites to make it to the postseason and compete.
Here’s a look at the five best moves the Buccaneers made during the 2020 offseason.
5. Drafting Antoine Winfield Jr. in Round 2
It would’ve been really easy for the Buccaneers to go after a running back like J.K. Dobbins in the second-round and many couldn’t have blamed them if they did.
But instead the organization decided to make a move based on data analysis, picking up a talented safety in Antoine Winfield Jr.
Winfield Jr. is a guy who flocks to the ball and has great physicality and athleticism. In my opinion, he’s going to be a starter from Day 1 and that’s going to prove to be one of the best value picks of the 2020 NFL Draft.
4. Re-signing Jason Pierre-Paul
Some were worried that Jason Pierre-Paul would demand too much money this offseason and, as a result, would price the Buccaneers out of a deal.
In the end, though, he elected to stay home.
Pierre-Paul is one of the top edge-rushers in the league, in my opinion, and he’s certainly one of the most consistent defenders. He signed a two-year deal worth $25 million with the Bucs and though you would’ve liked to see this a little cheaper, the deal helps solidify the Tampa Bay defense for the next two seasons.
You can’t complain too much about that.
3. Drafting Tristan Wirfs in Round 1
Some may consider this the ‘move of the offseason’ and you couldn’t blame them if they did.
The Buccaneers didn’t just draft Wirfs- who will fill a valuable role- they even traded up a spot to do.
The franchise knew coming into the 2020 NFL Draft that they needed to address the right tackle position and Wirfs was easily the most-ready to come in and fill that role.
2. Tagging Shaquil Barrett
Shaq Barrett is the best edge-rusher in the league and the Buccaneers did the right thing using a franchise tag on him for this season.
The organization and Barrett were attempting to come to terms on a long-term deal over the course of this offseason, but elected to use the franchise tag when it was all said and done.
The franchise tag gives Tampa Bay an opportunity to evaluate Barrett for a longer amount of time and gives the two parties a change to come to an agreement.
For the 2020 season, having Barrett back means the Bucs will have one of the top pass-rushing units in the league and that is always a good sign for a team that is trying to make a run at a postseason berth.
1. Signing Tom Brady
What other move could lead-off our list other than the signing of the GOAT?
The Buccaneers signed Tom Brady to a two-year deal worth $50 million this offseason and that immediately put Tampa Bay on the map.
Brady still has the talent to lead this team to the playoffs and he has the experience to get the job done, as well. When you combine his talent and football IQ with the skill-position group that the Bucs already possess, you get one of the most lethal offenses in the NFL.
Signing Brady didn’t seem like it could be done, but it happened. As a result, the Bucs are favored for the first time in quite a while to break their 12-year streak of missing the playoffs.
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