5 moves Buccaneers need to make after salary cap increase
By Josh Hill
Sign a top offensive lineman
If there’s one undeniable area the Buccaneers need to spend significant resources on this offseason, it’s the offensive line.
The unit was once again underwhelming, and it’s clear that improvements will be needed if the offense wants to take things to the next level. For as great as Rachaad White was, his emergence as duel-threat weapon was rooted in how he was unable to get anything going in the run game. That wasn’t exclusive to White, as the lack of offensive line production as cited in arguments concerning bringing in guys like Saquon Barkley or Ezekiel Elliott in the offseason.
Everything outside of Tristan Wirfs should be up for discussion when talking about rebuilding the offensive line, and the increased salary cap gives the Bucs room to shop for some upgrades. Specifically, Tampa Bay could look at interior lineman like Kevin Dotson, Robert Hunt, and Kevin Zeitler as potential free agent targets to go along with anyone who might be drafted or shifted around.
Cody Mauch still deserves a shot, as he showed flashes during his rookie season despite having plenty to work on. That might be where the line is drawn, as the Bucs absolutely need to assess ways to improve upfront especially with the type of money that will be invested in Baker Mayfield.
A perfect combo could be Jason Licht working his draft magic and flexing some free agency muscles to rebuild the offensive line and finally out the offense in a position to carry its weight.