The Tampa Bay Buccaneers could be in the market for a free agent cornerback ahead of the 2025 NFL Draft, but which options are left? Including the slot CB position, the Bucs starters at CB are Jamel Dean, Zyon McCollum, and Tykee Smith.
The team absolutely could add a free agent CB to the room to at least raise the floor, and when you look at this roster as a whole, there really aren't many true needs left. While Tampa isn't yet a contender, they could inch closer with a couple more free agency additions and a solid 2025 NFL Draft class.
Could the Buccaneers pursue a free agent cornerback before the 2025 NFL Draft?
Best free agent cornerbacks the Buccaneers can sign before NFL Draft
Stephon Gilmore
Stephon Gilmore has been on five teams in five different seasons, so he has obviously been content taking one-year deals and assessing his market as he ages into his mid-30s. Gilmore is still an effective player and has been one of the best CBs of the 2000s, honestly. He won the Defensive Player of the Year award in 2019 and has allowed a 83.4 rating in coverage over the last three seasons.
He's still an effective player and one of those veteran leaders that is surely a huge boost to the locker room.
Michael Davis
Michael Davis has been in the NFL since 2017 and has had some extremely productive seasons. Nothing more than a depth piece at this point, Davis could at least come in and raise the floor of the secondary. However, from 2020-2023 with the Los Angeles Chargers, Davis racked up six interceptions and 51 passes defended.
During this time, he allowed an 88.7 rating in coverage. Playing the 2024 NFL Season with the Washington Commanders, Michael Davis might just remain unsigned until after the 2025 NFL Draft, but depth is always in demand in the NFL, so the Buccaneers would be wise to pursue this signing.
Rasul Douglas
Rasul Douglas is still out on the open market and might just be the best remaining free agent cornerback, recently suiting up for the Buffalo Bills. He turns just 30 years old in August and has played in 120 regular season games in which he's picked-off 19 passes and racked up 79 passes defended.
Douglas struggled a bit in 2024 with the Buffalo Bills, and perhaps that could be why the Bills have not brought him back, but the veteran CB might be able to use a change of scenery and could be a great resource and 'follow my lead' type of player for the young guys in Tampa Bay's secondary room.
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