Could Melvin Ingram III be a cheap option for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in free agency?
It’s no secret that one of the biggest storylines surrounding the Tampa Bay Buccaneers this offseason is what is going to happen with pass-rusher extraordinaire Shaquil Barrett. Obviously, in a perfect world, Barrett is back with the Buccaneers. He essentially filled the Simeon Rice role in the Super Bowl by making the quarterback’s life a living hell. The NFL is a business though, and unfortunately, things don’t work out as perfectly in the offseason as they may in Madden.
With the potential departure of Barrett, the Buccaneers need to at least explore options for a potential replacement. Barrett is plan A, but they need a plan B. Naturally, J.J. Watt’s name has been tossed around, and while he may not be as costly as he once was, he may be a little too expensive for the Buccaneers considering they have a lot of their own players to try to resign. This being the case, if the Buccaneers do need to, unfortunately, replace Barrett, they would need a cheap solution that is low-risk high reward.
Melvin Ingram could be a solution to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers’ problems.
Yes, Melvin Ingram has battled injury problems since entering the league in 2012. When healthy though, Ingram is a force. His injury history is why the Buccaneers would be able to sign him at a bargain. Ingram is a three-time Pro Bowler, and while he may have benefited from playing opposite Joey Bosa, Bosa has also been battling injuries, so it isn’t like they were always together. If Ingram were to be the new pass rusher for the Buccaneers, he would be playing alongside Jason Pierre-Paul, Vita Vea, and potentially Ndamukong Suh, should the Buccaneers be able to afford to bring him back. This would blow away what Ingram had in San Diego/Los Angeles, and Ingram should be able to reap the benefits of his supporting cast.
The Buccaneers also have a versatile defensive system, and Ingram has experience as a 3-4 pass rusher, as well as a 4-3 defensive end. Unofficial Super Bowl MVP Todd Bowles would be a happy defensive coordinator with a pass rusher of Ingram’s versatility, especially since it’s similar to Barrett’s.
The main takeaway is this. If the Buccaneers can’t afford to bring back Barrett and have a limited budget from bringing back their other free agents, Ingram would be a wise option to at least explore. Yes, there are injury concerns, but a Melvin Ingram signing would be the quintessential low-risk, high-reward acquisition that would keep this Super Bowl championship defense chugging along, and getting to the quarterback.