It’s been a relatively successful offseason for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. That’s what happens when Chris Godwin comes back on a new deal and Haason Reddick is signed to add some much-needed depth at edge rusher.
Those were the Bucs’ top two needs heading into free agency, and the team managed to chase those moves with lower wattage additions that help fill out the roster. Let’s not sleep on Ben Bredeson coming back either, a signing that proves Jason Licht and the front office are still skilled at identifying diamonds in the rough.
For as successful as this offseason has bene so far, the work isn’t finished yet.
Writing as part of a giant breakdown of every team’s biggest remaining need after free agency, The Athletic’s Dan Pompei thinks the Bucs have to figure out what to do at linebacker.
It’s an obvious need and a loose thread the Bucs haven’t yet managed to totally tie up. The team has made some additions at linebacker, with Anthony Weaver Jr. replacing K.J. Britt, but the work isn’t done yet. Having Lavonte David return for at least one more year helps but the Bucs need to think about both depth this season and the future of the position.
“Aside from David, the Bucs still are searching for another inside linebacker. The team remains hopeful about 2023 fifth-round pick SirVocea Dennis, but he has yet to start a game. Free-agent pickup Anthony Walker also could be a factor. The Bucs have a need at cornerback as well. Their primary need, however, is inside linebacker,” Pompei wrote.
Buccaneers have two ways to still add some linebacker depth
Tampa Bay addressing linebacker in the draft has been a leading solution, especially with the team so closely linked to Alabama’s Jihaad Campbell in the first round. It’s likely the Bucs double-dip on linebacker, even though this year’s class doesn’t seem to be as deep as it’s been in years past.
Of course, trying to determine future talent this time of year is what makes the Draft so hard to navigate. What the Buce need to concern themselves with is fortifying the position for the future, which could even be done with free agency.
The Bucs don’t have a ton of money left to spend but they could get creative to make space for a veteran signing to add to the room. E.J. Speed seemed like a decent target but he’s already been snatched up, however the vibe of that signing is what Tampa Bay is thinking.
No matter what happens, something needs to be done to address a glaring need at linebacker. If the Bucs don’t want to fall into similar traps caused by injuries last year, figuring out how to make an addition feels like a top-of-the-list thing right now.
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