Following a stout 2023 season highlighted by their third straight NFC South division title and a tightly contested bout with Detroit in the NFC Divisional Round, Tampa Bay entered the offseason with a solid top-to-bottom roster and few key question marks.
Even with Dave Canales departing from Tampa Bay to become the next coach of the Carolina Panthers, the Buccaneers were able to land former Rams' coordinator Liam Coen as the team's next offensive coordinator, while hiring several talented assistant coaches under third-year head coach Todd Bowles.
Ahead of March 13, the official start of NFL free agency, the Buccaneers had ~$45 million in salary cap space to spend, the 12th-most in the league. Over the first week and a half of free agency, Tampa Bay has spent its money on new contracts for 14 different players.
Ranging from star quarterback Baker Mayfield to cornerback Tavierre Thomas, here are the offical grades of every free agent signing Tampa Bay has made this offseason.
Tavierre Thomas, CB
Contract: One-year deal
Grade: C+
On Monday, the Buccaneers continued an offseason full of moves by signing Thomas, a six-year veteran cornerback. At 27 years old, Thomas has played three seasons in Cleveland and Houston, and has totaled 225 tackles, two tackles for loss, six passes defended, and six forced fumbles.
Lions visiting with a hometown kid in cornerback Tavierre Thomas. Primarily plays the Nickel, as well as Special Teams. Graded out as a 69 in coverage for the Texans last year per PFF. (nice 😎) pic.twitter.com/56moyzD2Tg
— Eazy (@SpeakEZsports_) March 15, 2024
Since entering the league, Thomas has struggled to remain on the field, missing 15 games due to injury over the past two seasons. In spite of that, Thomas has been a solid slot corner when healthy, as shown in 2021 with 86 tackles, four passes defended, two interceptions (one returned for a touchdown) and a fumble recovery.
Following the signings of Whitehead, Hall, and Thomas, Tampa Bay has added plently of talent and depth to their roster, relieving some playing stress off 2023 All-Pro First Team selection Antoine Winfield Jr. Inking Thomas to a one-year deal isn't a ground-shaking move, but a needed move nonetheless.
John Wolford, QB
Contract: One-year deal
Grade: B
With the retention of Mayfield at the start of free agency, Tampa Bay still needed to sign a backup quarterback for the season. On Friday, the Buccaneers resigned Wolford as Mayfield's backup for the upcoming 2024 season.
At 28 years old, Wolford has played for Los Angeles and Tampa Bay, but has yet to see serious playing time in the regular season. Regardless, keeping Mayfield's backup in town with Wolford is a smart move, considering Wolford knows the playbook and coaching staff.
Justin Skule, OT
Contract: One-year deal
Grade: C
The last move the Buccaneers made on the offensive line was resigning Skule, their primary swing tackle. With the play of star left Tristan Wirfs and right tackle Luke Goedeke, 2023 Skule only logged 19 snaps on offense and 65 on special teams while playing all 17 games.
Regardless, Skule is still a solid depth piece at 27 years old, and has the capability of being a plug-and-play starter at times. With the signings of Skule, Opeta, and Bredeson, the Buccaneers have clearly bolstered their offensive line.