5 free agents the Buccaneers can still sign after start of OTAs
By Brad Smith
MLB Zach Cunningham
While Tampa Bay did re-sign 12-year veteran Lavonte David to a one-year, $9 million contract in free agency, they did lose Devin White to Philadelphia as their other starting inside linebacker. Currently, 2021 fifth-round pick KJ Britt projects to slot in alongside David, with JJ Russell and SirVocea Dennis serving as reserves.
With David entering his age-34 season and Britt starting in just four career games, Buccaneers defensive coordinators Kacy Rodgers and Larry Foote may seek an upgrade at the position before week one. Of the remaining linebackers left in free agency, Cunningham is the best fit to perform alongside White in Rodgers' and Foote's 4-3 defensive scheme.
Cunningham, the No. 57 pick in the 2017 draft, has played with Houston, Tennessee, and Philadelphia over his seven-year career. In 86 career starts and 95 games, Cunningham has recorded 705 tackles, 31 tackles for loss, 6.5 sacks, 23 pass breakups, five forced fumbles, and four fumble recoveries. During the 2020 season, Cunningham amassed a league-leading 164 tackles, along with seven tackles for loss, two pass breakups, and three sacks in all 16 games.
At 30 years old, Cunningham is past his prime, but his veteran leadership and familiarity in Tampa Bay's 4-3 scheme would be welcome if Britt, Russell, or Dennis struggle early in 2024. Coupled with a cheap price tag similar to that of a one-year, $1.75 from Philadelphia, Cunningham would be a bargain-bin signing in a position of need for Tampa Bay.