3 free agents who would make the Buccaneers instant Super Bowl contenders

Yannick Ngakoue, DE

Unlike middle linebacker or the offensive line, defensive line wasn't a notable area of need for Tampa Bay entering the offseason. Led by star defensive tackle Vita Vea, as well as defensive ends Calijah Kancey and Logan Hall, Tampa Bay's d-line totaled 91 tackles for loss and 48 sacks, the sixth and seventh marks in the league, respectively.

Even so, the Buccaneers chose to still upgrade the position group in the offseason, re-signing defensive tackle Greg Gaines and defensive end Will Gholston, while inking Randy Gregory to a one-year deal. Those moves are good on their own, but the addition of Ngakoue could be worthwhile for the Bucs' front seven in 2024.

While Ngakoue hasn't been the best player at his position like Simmons, the nine-year veteran has been one of the more reliable defensive ends at his age. Dating back to his rookie season in 2016, Ngakoue has started in 115 of 123 game appearances, with career totals of 224 tackles, 71 tackles for loss, 142 quarterback hits, 69.0 sacks, 13 pass breakups, and 21 forced fumbles.

Of his nine seasons in the league, Ngakoue has notched eight or more sacks in eight campaigns, while collecting nine or more sacks in four seasons. Ngakoue's most productive season came in 2017, his second in the league, where the former third-round pick had 30 tackles, ten tackles for loss, 23 quarterback hits, 12 sacks, and a career-high and league-leading six forced fumbles in all 16 games, earning his first and only Pro Bowl nod.

In spite of a succesful three-year stint with Jacksonville from 2016-2018, Ngakoue entered the 2018 offseason as a free agent, beginning a lengthy journey around the league. Since then, Ngakoue has suited up for the Vikings, Ravens, Raiders, Colts, and the Bears, his most recent stop. That hasn't stop Ngakoue from being a productive piece off the edge, who still shows signs of promise entering his age-34 season.

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