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Bucs address massive need with latest under-the-radar free agency signing

Ryan Heckman
Ryan Heckman

The Pewter Plank

Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Todd Bowles / Perry Knotts/GettyImages

The biggest news on Day 1 of NFL free agency, for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, undoubtedly came when the team signed wide receiver Chris Godwin to a new deal.

Among a couple other moves, the Godwin signing stood out the most. Tampa Bay also agreed to bring back guard Ben Bredeson and signed pass rusher Hasson Reddick, which were also notable happenings of their own.

To kick off Day 2, though, the Bucs went out and addressed a major need which not many fans love to talk about on a regular basis.

Yep, it's the punter.

The Buccaneers agreed to sign free agent punter Riley Dixon to a 2-year deal

Tampa Bay officially agreed to terms with free agent punter Riley Dixon on a 2-year, $6 million contract.

Spending the past two seasons with the Denver Broncos, Dixon comes to Tampa Bay as a significant upgrade from where the team's punting situation was a year ago. In 2024, the Bucs' Trenton Gill and Jake Camarda finished second and third-to-last in total EPA per punt, respectively.

Meanwhile, Dixon was good for 13th in that category. So, while he isn't an All Pro type punter, Dixon will serve as a huge improvement upon the scrambling at punter last season.

To slam the point home even further, Gill was third-to-last in the entire NFL in gross yards per punt with just 43.3.

While punters don't seem to get enough credit, and never really have for that matter, this was an area that Bucs fans would tell you needed to be fixed. It wasn't just a weakness. It was a giant sore spot for this team in 2024.

Dixon, a 9-year veteran, should come in and count as more than good enough for Tampa Bay after what they went through last year at the position.

Ryan Heckman

Ryan Heckman

Ryan Heckman is a Lead NFL Editor for FanSided, covering all 32 teams across the league. Ryan has covered various leagues and teams dating back to 2012, with experience covering both the NFL and NBA. His work has been featured on Bleacher Report and Sports Illustrated among other publications. He loves Jesus, family, and the NFL in that order. If he isn't writing, Ryan is spending time with his wife and kids, drinking coffee or lifting weights.