NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport announced on Wednesday that the Bucs are releasing linebacker Deone Bucannon. His release will allow the Bucs to gain a compensatory draft pick and free some cap space.

Bucannon was drafted by Arians in Arizona and could play both safety and linebacker if needed, primarily working as the “moneybacker” in Todd Bowles’ scheme.

Because Tampa Bay had four qualifying free agent signings this offseason – Bucannon, wide receiver Breshad Perriman, punter Bradley Pinion and outside linebacker Shaquil Barrett – that offset their four losses in free agency – linebacker Kwon Alexander, wide receiver Adam Humphries, quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick and linebacker Adarius Taylor – the Bucs can now gain a 2020 compensatory draft pick, perhaps has high as the third round.

Now Tampa Bay has lost more qualifying free agents than it signed. The Bucs had to release Bucannon prior to Week 9 to meet the requirements to gain a compensatory draft pick in 2020. If the Bucs release another player signed in free agency, perhaps Perriman, the team can gain another compensatory draft pick in 2020.

Rapoport also announced that the the Bucs have signed LB Noah Dawkins off of the Bengals practice squad to replace Bucannon’s place on the roster. The 6-foot-1, 235-pound Dawkins played at The Citadel and has 4.41 speed.

Bucannon has just one tackle in five games this season.