5 moves Buccaneers can make to dominate the NFC South in 2024
By Rob Leeds
Sign J.C. Jackson and draft Kool-Aid McKinstry
Much like at edge, the Buccaneers have some work to do at corner after moving on from Carlton Davis. That move made sense from a financial perspective, but it does leave a hole that could be hard to manage with the current depth.
The good news for the Bucs is that this is another position that has several answers in both the draft and in free agency. Tampa should pursue both avenues.
There are several free agents that are currently available that are either 1) too old to get a massive deal or 2) are looking for a chance to prove they still have it and will get that chance with the Bucs. Both of these work in Tampa's favor.
An older free agent would only need to stem the gap between the current team and buy the rookie time to grow. A younger option, a potential J.C. Jackson type, may be a long shot, but they have shown that they were good in the past, got paid, and are now looking for a way to prove they still have it.
If Jackson is available on a very cheap deal, which is certainly on the table, that doesn't seem like a terrible idea as a long-shot gamble at a key position. If you want more of a proven mentor type, Stephon Gilmore set the clock back last season with a quality showing on the Cowboys.
A free agent mixed with a quality draft pick (Day 1 or Day 2) gives the Buccaneers a few chances to hit on their Carlton Davis replacement while hedging their bets on the budding Zyon McCollum. There are certainly worse places to invest so much capital on a team with a defensive head coach.