Five remaining free-agent the Buccaneers would be crazy not to contact
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are in the midst of one of the most successful offseasons in franchise history.
The Buccaneers signed QB Tom Brady to a two-year deal worth $50 million and made a trade to bring in TE Rob Gronkowski. With those two additions- and the draft- Tampa Bay has become one of the hottest teams in the league with an opportunity to legitimately compete for a postseason berth.
While the Buccaneers don’t have much cap space remaining, there are certain restructures that they could make to bring in another free-agent or two. Though the majority of the ‘big names’ are out of their price range, here are five remaining free-agents the Buccaneers would be crazy to not at least have a phone call with.
5. LB Darron Lee
There’s one area right now, in particular, that is in need of depth for Tampa and that’s the front-seven.
Darron Lee is a guy who can play outside linebacker and line up as an edge-rusher when needed. He is likely going to be out the price range for the Bucs, but it wouldn’t hurt to ask and at least let him know they’re interested.
Lee, a former first-rounder, would be a guy who could come in and compete for reps and would instantly add depth to the front-seven. The Bucs already have two edge-rushers in Shaq Barrett and Jason Pierre-Paul, but Lee could still become a valuable depth piece and would make Tampa Bay’s front-seven one of the best in the league.
4. S Eric Reid
The Buccaneers already drafted an elite safety in Antoine Winfield Jr. and they’ve got some talent on the roster with Jordan Whitehead, Andrew Adams, Justin Evans and Mike Edwards.
That being said, there’s always room for a starter-level safety on this roster.
Eric Reid, who was released by the Panthers, is likely looking for a big deal. However, he could accept a short-term deal in Tampa Bay if things fall through elsewhere. Many Bucs fans were high on potentially trading for Jamal Adams. While Reid wouldn’t be on the same level as Adams, he would certainly be a starter and would benefit that defensive backfield greatly.
3. EDGE Clay Matthews
Clay Matthews is still on the market and while many believe he is set to retire, he could play another season or two if the situation and circumstances were right.
Matthews isn’t quite the dominant edge-rusher and outside linebacker that we saw a few years ago in Green Bay, but he still has plenty to offer.
Matthews could sign a reasonable deal- keeping the Bucs under the cap- and that would give them the opportunity to have a veteran on the roster who could be a legitimate depth piece and make that front-seven better as a result.
2. QB Cam Newton
The Buccaneers have plenty of depth at the quarterback position, so on the surface this one may not make sense.
Tampa Bay already signed Brady to a $50 million deal and he’s slated to be the starter for the next two seasons. The Bucs re-signed Blaine Gabbert and still have Ryan Griffin on the roster, as well. Add in the signing of undrafted free-agent Reid Sinnett and you see why they wouldn’t want another quarterback.
That being said, it’s still Cam Newton.
Jameis Winston signed a deal with the New Orleans Saints for less than $2 million. Why wouldn’t Tampa take a chance on a former MVP winner in Newton for a contract so minuscule?
Newton could provide depth and become a valuable commodity if Brady was to go down with an injury. Not to mention this simple fact: If he learns under Brady for the next couple of seasons, who’s to say that Newton can’t return to his old form and become the next quarterback for the Buccaneers?
It seems crazy on the surface, sure, but Tampa should at least reach out.
1. RB Devonta Freeman
Bruce Arians confirmed that the Bucs would be more than interested in bringing in RB Devonta Freeman to provide depth in the backfield.
The problem: He’s simply asking too much.
Freeman took to Twitter to address the Buccaneers and said he would love to hear from Tampa Bay.
Freeman likely will ask too much and the Bucs simply don’t have enough cap room to sign a running back for a lucrative contract, but reaching out never hurt anyone.
Are things likely to happen between Freeman and Tampa Bay? No, but the Bucs wouldn’t be hurt in the slightest to reach out and see what happens in negotiations.