As the free agency period has slowed down a bit, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers should still be on the lookout for adding talent. The initial wave is over, and the craziness has died down, but there are plenty of names still available which could help this Bucs team.
Before we officially move onto the 2025 NFL Draft and talk more in-depth about the Bucs' needs, picks and potential strategy, we should be talking about moves this team can and should still make.
After taking care of some of their own bigger free agents, the Bucs have made moves outside the building, and could continue doing so via some notable names still looking for a job.
The Buccaneers still have strong free agent options during the second wave
Matthew Judon, DE/OLB
What would be sort of funny is if the Buccaneers went out and signed Matt Judon to a relatively-inexpensive contract just a season after their division rival, the Atlanta Falcons, traded a third-round pick for the pass rusher in hopes that he'd be the final piece to their puzzle.
Judon is still awaiting a call, and he'll turn 33 years old in August. I'd assume getting the chance to play the Falcons twice a year might be of interest to the veteran. Judon posted 5.5 sacks in 2024.
Asante Samuel Jr., CB
He's more of a big name, at this point, because Asante Samuel Jr. is coming off a shortened season due to injury and hasn't commanded the money he might have thought he would. However, for a team like the Bucs who are always in need of defensive backs, Samuel could be well-worth the risk. The former second-round pick had averaged two interceptions and double-digit pass breakups in his first three seasons before playing only four games in 2024.
Whether it is someone like Samuel or even Rasul Douglas, the Bucs need to add another veteran corner.
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Emmanuel Ogbah, DE
Another option to bolster the pass rush would come by way of Miami. Emmanuel Ogbah most recently played for the Dolphins, so a move to Tampa Bay wouldn't be too far. The 31-year-old is good for about five sacks a season as of late and could be the perfect rotational rusher within this Todd Bowles defense.
Taven Bryan, DT
For people who love the "former first-round pick" tag, here's one for you. Taven Bryan was a first rounder back in 2018 out of Florida and has made 46 starts throughout his career. He is better as an interior pass rusher than he is at stopping the run, but in Tampa Bay, they could get creative with him and use him in a variety of spots at times.