6 free agents the Buccaneers can target after re-signing their core players
By Josh Hill
Jordan Whitehead, S
One name still on the market is a familiar one to those in Tampa Bay. Jordan Whitehead left after the 2021 season to go be a part of what Robert Saleh is building with the Jets, and last year he popped in ways that made Bucs fans miss him.
Right out of the gate he reeled in three interceptions to help New York pull off a Week 1 upset after the Jets had lost Aaron Rodgers to a season-ending injury. He ended up with four interceptions on the season but had a PFF grade of 68.1 and was one of the more quietly reliable safeties in the league.
The Bucs are once again dealing with shallow safety depth, and Whitehead returning could help fill an important role next to Antoine Winfield Jr., someone he’s already familiar playing with.
Whitehead could also be key in helping develop Christian Izien, who was named a starter before Week 1 last season and was the pride of Jason Licht’s crew of undrafted rookies. He still has a lot to learn and having Winfield and Whitehead as his mentors feels like an amazing way to solidify the future of the position in Tampa Bay.
New York could still bring him back, but it’s a deep safety class that could lead to Whitehead’s return also being something that doesn’t break the bank. He’s already proven to be an important part of Todd Bowles defense, and returning after having learned some more wisdom from Saleh only further sweetens the pot.