This offseason, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers enter with a lot more hope than they did a year ago. They might just have the most important position finally figured out, plus boast a ton of talent at other positions.
With a few upgrades and key moves, Tampa Bay will be even better next season.
The Bucs enter this offseason with about $37 million in cap space and very well could create even more by restructuring some deals or making a cut or two. If they can continue clearing space and using their money wisely, there's no reason why they can't make some big-time moves.
What kind of big-time moves? Let's try and predict four of them, and they're bold.
1. Mike Evans comes back on a 5-year, $125 million contract
We know, by now, the storyline between the Bucs and Mike Evans last offseason. Evans wanted a new deal before Week 1, but the Bucs didn't give him an offer. Still, throughout the season, interest remained in the team re-signing Evans.
Jason Licht has said publicly he wants Evans to continue his career as a Buc, and after their success last season, I would think the Bucs work something out. If you look at other top receivers' contracts around the league, Evans deserves to be paid in a similar fashion. I'd argue he deserves as much money as he demands, in fact. There's been no more consistent receiver in the league over the last decade.
In the end, Evans gets a deal worth $25 million in annual average value. At age 30, it might seem crazy to sign a contract like that, but if you look at someone like Davante Adams, it makes sense. Adams' 5-year deal goes through his age-34 season. Evans hasn't had any major injury concerns over the years, either, so the Bucs shouldn't have any issue paying him for the long-term.
Tampa Bay is trying to build a winner this offseason and you can too, thanks to FanDuel! Simply sign up, deposit $10 or more and then bet $5 or more on either San Fran or Kansas City to win the Big Game. If your wager wins, you'll get $200 in additional bonus bets! Sign up with FanDuel today.