Three free agents the Buccaneers could acquire on a bargain
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers don’t have much cap space remaining as we head into the 2020 season, but that doesn’t mean they’re still not looking to make a few final moves.
While it’s certainly not likely that the Buccaneers bring in another big star due to the restrictions they’re facing with the cap, there are some other potential targets they could still snag before the season begins.
As we continue to prepare for the upcoming season, here are three remaining free agents the Buccaneers could acquire on a bargain.
Isaiah Crowell, RB
Let’s start off the list with a look at a potential running back target who actually might be in the right price range for Tampa Bay.
Many Buccaneers fans have remained steadfast that the franchise needs to sign a running back following the loss of Peyton Barber and the questions at the position coming into the season. If that’s the case, it’s much more realistic that the Bucs sign a veteran like Isaiah Crowell to a smaller contract and use him as a legitimate third-down back.
Crowell is an explosive and powerful runner who can fight for tough yardage and can catch the ball out of the backfield pretty well, also. He’d fit into the system well and wouldn’t break the bank either.
Domata Peko, DT
The Buccaneers have some quality depth at a lot of positions, but there is basically nothing but questions behind Vita Vea on the defensive line.
Domata Peko, a current free agent, played the vast majority of his career with Cincinnati and has been fairly effective on the interior of the defensive lines he has been a part of.
While he is aging, Peko could still provide valuable depth and would be the perfect fit in terms of size (over 320 pounds) to fill that back-up nose tackle role and even playing alongside Vea on heavy sets.
Peko won’t require much money for a one-year deal and would be a relatively low-risk move for the Bucs as they look to build depth on that front-seven.
Clay Matthews, EDGE
Clay Matthews is no longer the Pro-Bowl linebacker that we used to see in Green Bay, but that doesn’t mean that he still can’t contribute.
While Matthews has considered retiring, he has left the door open for one last ride and there would be no greater temptation for him than to come play with Tom Brady and Rob Gronkowski in his final years.
Matthews wouldn’t be asked to do too much as a back-up edge-rusher and that would help save his body as the season progressed.
If he really wants to ‘ring chase,’ Matthews won’t ask for much salary either, making this a win-win for both him and the Buccaneers.
There’s something that still tells me that we’ll see Clay Matthews in Tampa Bay before it’s all said and done, even if it’s just a wild hunch currently.