Buccaneers: Dream free agent signings to repeat Super Bowl success
By Rob Leeds
A young linebacker for the Buccaneers
The Buccaneers could easily lose Lavonte David this offseason. Even though he has always put his team first and could finish as one of the best players in franchise history, David deserves to test free agency as a hot commodity.
Opportunities may not come in as quickly as they would during a typical season, but there are about 30 teams that would benefit from having David on their team, and at least a third of those teams have the money to pay him what he is owed.
The one team that may not have enough money for David is the Buccaneers. Tampa Bay can restructure and prorate deals all day long; it’ll still be challenging to pay their defensive captain even close to market value without letting players at vital positions walk. The Bucs need a young, cheap option to pair with Devin White, and free agency is the place to start.
Matt Milano has never been the most talked about linebacker in the league, but the start to his career in Buffalo has been sneaky good. Talk shows won’t mention his name like the big-time linebackers like Bobby Wagner, but Milano has put together a decent career, especially in pass coverage.
While injuries have marred his time in Buffalo, Milano has shown the impressive ability to defend the pass with 21 passes defended and five interceptions during his four-year career.
Is anyone a perfect replacement for Lavonte David? Absolutely not. Milano may not be as durable as David or a generational talent. Still, a return to his home in Florida and the opportunity to gain some recognition could make the young backer a perfect fit with the Buccaneers.