Top Free Agents Buccaneers could sign at every position entering Training Camp
By Brad Smith
Cornerbacks
JC Jackson
Jackson was a key cog in the Patriots' stout defense in 2021, posting a league-leading 23 pass breakups, eight interceptions, and 58 tackles in 17 starts and earning All-Pro Second Team Honors and his first Bowl Pro nod. Since then, Jackson has flunked out of Los Angeles and New England and has yet to sign with a team as a 28-year-old free agent.
Xavien Howard
Even with noticeable regression recently, Howard has remained a steady option at cornerback for the Dolphins, Starting in 99 of 100 games played. Just three years ago, Howard finished third for the Defensive Player of the Year and was an All-Pro and Pro Bowler, and still offers flexibility and stability for teams as a boundary cornerback.
Adoree' Jackson
In his rookie season, Jackson took the league by storm, notching 70 tackles, a league-leading 17 pass breakups, and three forced fumbles in 16 starts. Over the next six seasons, Jackson was a decent coverage corner for Tennessee and New York, and even showed flashes as an underrated kick and punt returner.
Safeties
Justin Simmons
Simmons, the No. 98 pick in the 2016 draft, has quickly emerged as one of the league's top safeties, with 604 tackles, 19 tackles for loss, 4.5 sacks, 64 pass breakups, 30 interceptions, five forced fumbles, and three fumble recoveries in eight seasons. Coupled with four All-Pro Second Team selections and two Pro Bowl nods, and Simmons remains as the top free agent available.
Micah Hyde
Hyde is one of the several veteran players that Buffalo passed ways with this offseason to make some salary cap space, and remains un-signed just months ahead of the 2024 season. That said, Hyde has his sights set on wanting to suit up in a Bills uniform one more time to end his 12-year NFL career.
Eddie Jackson
After seven seasons in Chicago, the Bears decided to let Jackson walk in free agency, who was one of the premier safeties of the last decade. With career totals of 459 tackles, 44 pass breakups, and 15 interceptions in 100 games, Jackson's age and cap value were key reasons in his release by Chicago. Even so, Jackson, like Simmons and Hyde, offers upside in the secondary with no major injury concerns.
More Tampa Bay Buccaneers news and rumors
feed