We’re deep into free agency, with the first frenzied wave having already crashed against the shores of the offseason. That doesn’t mean the action is over, though, as teams still have a ton of talent on the open market to consider bringing in.
Among those teams is the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Cap space isn’t something that can be taken for granted, but for the first time in a few years the team has some wiggle room. We saw that get put to good use already with Chris Godwin returning on a $60 million deal and potential stars like Haason Reddick and Riley Dixon getting signed in free agency.
It’s been a successful few weeks for the Bucs, but the work isn’t finished yet. There are still some key areas of the roster that could use some attention and a handful of free agents who make a lot of sense as potential targets.
Buccaneers could be a ‘best fit’ for pair of top remaining defensive free agents
Bleacher Report put together a list of best fits for the top remaining free agents, and the Bucs were linked to both E.J. Speed and Rasul Douglas.
One of those names will be more familiar to Bucs fans than the other, as Douglas has been a far more popular name over the last few seasons. He’s spent time in both Buffalo and Green Bay, and presents some nice high-upside potenital for a Tampa Bay secondary that is stil hunting for a starting-caliber player to add some depth.
Douglas checks a lot of boxes in that regard. He’s been a starter for the Packer and Bills, posting an 82.2 PFF grade in 2023 between the two teams. He had a pretty big drop off last season, which is part of the reason he’s still available but a reason the Bucs might be able to get him as a bargain buy that otherwise might not have been the case.
If there’s one thing this team loves, it’s underdogs with chips on their shoulder. Douglas has the ability to be a top cornerback and is in a position where he needs to prove it — a situation that could be mutually beneficial.
Speed is in a similar spot, and would help the Bucs address a need for depth at linebacker. It’s not as big of a need as it was a week ago, but if Tampa Bay can add the former Colts starter then it would go a long way in resetting a room that had gone a little stale.
Anthony Nelson and Lavonte David are back, but K.J. Britt and Joe Tryon-Shoyinka are gone with the team bringin in Anthony Walker Jr. from Miami as fresh blood. Much like the secondary, Tampa Bay ran into depth concerns last year due to injury and poor play only maginified the issues.
Just a few years removed from posting a 78.4 PFF grade with Indianapolis, Speed would be in a position not unlike Douglas in that he could use a chance with the Bucs to reintroduce himself. Tampa Bay would gladly take that sort of rotational depth, and all of a sudden a unit that was a bit weak last season is stronger than it was.
Neither of the signings are top-line deals, but that’s the beauty in them. The Bucs aren’t looking to spend a ton of money on free agents and these sorts of talented players falling into the ‘bargain bin’ is a potential blessing.
We’ll see if the Bucs end up making any additional moves, but if they do then these could be second wave additions that end up paying off big later on in the season.
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