The Current State Of The Buccaneers

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are coming off a franchise-best 13-4 season and a last-second, heartbreaking loss to the Rams in the playoffs. The Bucs have also had to cope with the retirements of two Pro Bowlers in quarterback Tom Brady and left guard Ali Marpet. Those losses are huge and will make the team’s focus in 2022 winning the NFC South rather than legitimately contending for another Super Bowl.

Bucs head coach Bruce Arians and GM Jason Licht – Photo by: Cliff Welch/PR

The Bucs have a plethora of starters slated for free agency, including tight end Rob Gronkowski, wide receiver Chris Godwin, cornerback Carlton Davis III, center Ryan Jensen, defensive tackle Ndamukong Suh, safety Jordan Whitehead, running back Leonard Fournette, right guard Alex Cappa, defensive end Will Gholston and outside linebacker Jason Pierre-Paul. Tampa Bay can’t afford to bring them all back.

The biggest question will be at quarterback where the team is resigned to the fact that it can’t land a big name via a trade. With a weak free agent class, the Bucs are expected to re-sign free agent backup Blaine Gabbert to compete with Kyle Trask, last year’s second-round pick. Tampa Bay will need to add two more quarterbacks for depth and competition, but the pickings are slim.

The Bucs coaching staff remains largely intact with inside linebackers coach Mike Caldwell being the only major loss. Larry Foote moves from outside linebackers coach to take over. Bob Sanders, who coached with Bruce Arians in Arizona, was signed to coach outside linebackers.

Explaining The Bucs Battle Plans For 2022

PewterReport.com writers Scott Reynolds, Jon Ledyard, Matt Matera, JC Allen and Josh Queipo have devised their own Bucs Plans For the 2022 offseason. These come complete with free agent signings, trades, roster moves and draft picks to help Tampa Bay repeat as NFC South champions and make another playoff run.

Remember, these Bucs Battle Plans are how the PewterReport.com staff members would reshape the team this offseason – not necessarily what we think Tampa Bay will do in free agency and the draft, although there could be some overlap with certain players the team may be targeting.

The Bucs have approximately $2.7 million worth of salary cap space right now, according to OverTheCap.com.

Bucs NT Vita Vea and OLB Shaq Barrett – Photo by: Cliff Welch/PR

Bucs general manager Jason Licht and vice president of football administration Mike Greenberg can create plenty of salary cap space by restructuring the contracts of several players and lowering their 2022 cap values. Wide receiver Mike Evans ($20,622,500 cap value in 2022), outside linebacker Shaquil Barrett ($19.75 million cap value in 2022), left tackle Donovan Smith ($18.4 million cap value in 2022) and nose tackle Vita Vea ($11,887,311 cap value in 2022) are the prime candidates. The Bucs might even extend the contracts of Evans and Smith this offseason rather than just doing restructures.

The free agents that Tampa Bay signs and re-sign will all have one or two years worth of guaranteed money. That’s a Greenberg staple when it comes to contracts. But the first year salaries will also be lower than the average yearly cap value of the contract to help the Bucs’ cap in 2022. The cap is expected to rise in 2023 and Tampa Bay can defer some money into later years.

Reynolds’ Bucs Battle Plan For The 2022 Offseason

The strategy I follow in my Bucs Battle Plan each year is to be as realistic as possible. I try to project what Licht would or could do instead of getting a little outlandish with my roster moves. That may make my Bucs Battle Plan a little less fun than the other Pewter Reporters, but it may give you some insight into what Tampa Bay may be planning.

Like the Bucs, I’m not going to re-sign all of the team’s free agents. I’ll bring back some key pieces in free agency and target skill position players in the 2022 NFL Draft.

Bucs Trade Out Of The First Round

Licht has said that the real value in this draft is in the middle rounds, and I agree. I’ll trade out of the first round with Jacksonville and pick at the top of the second round. The Jaguars have 12 draft picks. In addition to swapping pick No. 27 for No. 33, I’ll acquire additional picks in the fourth round (104) and the sixth round. That gives the Bucs nine draft picks this year. Tampa Bay traded away its sixth-round pick last year.

Tampa Bay’s 2022 NFL Draft Picks

Round 2 – No. 33 (from Jaguars)
Round 2 – No. 60
Round 3 – No. 91
Round 4 – No. 104 (from Jaguars)
Round 4 – No. 131
Round 5 – No. 169
Round 6 – No. 186 (from Jaguars)
Round 7 – No. 246
Round 7 – No. 261 (expected compensatory pick)

Bucs’ Pay Cuts

For the third straight year, tight end Cameron Brate is going to have to take a pay cut. He’s set to make $7,285,000 in 2022. Last year, Brate made just under $2 million. He’ll have to take a similar cut to stay in Tampa Bay at age 31.

Use The Franchise Tag On Davis

In my scenario, I use the franchise tag on Carlton Davis III because I want to see if Davis can stay healthy for an entire season. He hasn’t done that in any of his four years in Tampa Bay. And I want to figure out if he’s a one-interception per season guy, or if he’s capable of four picks per year, as he had in 2020. The $17.287 million is pricey for a one-year, prove-it deal. But I don’t want to overpay Davis on a multi-year deal. I’m not sure if he’s worth $19 million per year or $13 million per year. I’m not sure the Bucs are, either.

Unrestricted Free Agents Re-Signed

WR Chris Godwin – 4-year deal, $64 million
Godwin might get the franchise tag on Tuesday at 4:00 p.m. ET if a multi-year extension isn’t worked out. But in my scenario, he and the Bucs come to terms. Godwin, who is covering from a torn ACL, is back on a deal that averages $16 million. He’s a vital cog in Bruce Arians’ offense as the team’s slot receiver. The deal features $32 million in guaranteed money.

RG Alex Cappa – 3-year deal, $25.5 million
It came down to paying as much as $15 million per year for Pro Bowl center Ryan Jensen or $8.5 million per year for Cappa. Jensen will be 31 this year, while Cappa is 27, so I’ll invest in the younger player. The Bucs maintain some continuity on the right side of their offensive line.

DT Ndamukong Suh – 1-year, $7 million
Suh already accounts for $6.8 million in dead salary cap money this year. So why not pay the extra $200,000 and re-sign him for one more year at age 35?

SS Jordan Whitehead – 3-year deal, $16.5 million
Bringing back Whitehead at $5.5 million per season seems reasonable. He’s not a great scheme fit in every NFL defense, but Whitehead is a perfect fit for Todd Bowles’ scheme.

DE Will Gholston – 1-year, $4.5 million
The 30-year old Gholston has averaged $5.5 million per season over the last five years. He’ll need to take a slight pay cut to return, but he’s a valuable run-stopper.

QB Blaine Gabbert – 1-year, $4 million
Gabbert is re-signed to compete for the starting job in 2022. His 2021 salary is doubled, and the $4 million he’ll get paid this year is a far cry from what the Bucs paid for Jameis Winston (over $20 million in 2019), and Brady ($25 million in 2020 and ’21). That allows the Bucs to re-sign and sign free agents.

G Aaron Stinnie – 1-year, $1.5 million
Stinnie is re-signed to a cheap, one-year deal and will compete for the left guard job vacated by Marpet’s retirement.

OT Josh Wells – 1-year, $1.2 million
Wells is back for the league minimum to provide depth at left and right tackle.

ILB Kevin Minter – 1-year, $1.2 million
Minter, the team’s special teams captain is re-signed, but he’s not a lock to make the team. He’s the fallback option as the No. 3 linebacker in case K.J. Britt isn’t ready yet.

Andrew Adams – 1-year, $1.2 million
Adams is a valuable veteran backup who will come back for the league minimum.

DE Pat O’Connor – 1-year, $1.2 million
O’Connor is re-signed for the league minimum.

LS Zach Triner – 1-year, $1.2 million
The Bucs bring back their long snapper for another year.

QB Ryan Griffin – 1-year, $1.2 million
Griffin knows the offense is signed to compete in camp. He may end up on the practice squad again for far less money.

Unrestricted Free Agents Not Re-Signed

C Ryan Jensen
I love Jensen, but can’t justify paying him over $13 million per year. I think he’ll make north of that in free agency.

OLB Jason Pierre-Paul
At age 33, Pierre-Paul’s body is breaking down and I don’t trust his health anymore. It’s time to move on to Joe Tryon-Shoyinka.

TE Rob Gronkowski
I don’t think Gronkowski wants to come back to Tampa Bay anyways without Brady.

Bucs RB Leonard Fournette – Photo by: Cliff Welch/PR

RB Leonard Fournette
I might be open to re-signing Fournette to a one-year, $2 million deal if he struggles to find a better contract in free agency.

WR Breshad Perriman
Perriman isn’t the answer at wide receiver No. 3 – or No. 4 – for the Bucs.

TE O.J. Howard
Howard hasn’t been the same since his Achilles injury. Both he and the Bucs need a fresh start. For Howard, that will happen elsewhere.

RB Ronald Jones II
Jones can’t pass protect and catch the ball. He’s soured on the Bucs and the Bucs have soured on him.

CB Richard Sherman
It’s time for Sherman to retire. His body kept breaking down last year at age 33.

RB Giovani Bernard
I’m not opposed to bringing Bernard back, but he less playing time in Tampa Bay than he expected. I think he wants a better situation elsewhere.

DT Steve McLendon
McLendon is a warrior, but if I have to bring back one aging defensive tackle it’s Suh.

CB Pierre Desir
Desir was an emergency fill-in at cornerback. Not someone that I necessarily want on the 53-man roster.

RB Le’Veon Bell
Bell was an emergency fill-in at running back. There’s not much tread left on those tires.

New Unrestricted Free Agents Signed

Bengals DT B.J. Hill – Photo by: USA Today

DT B.J. Hill – 3 years, $25.5 million
This year’s defensive tackle class is weak outside of the top three prospects – Georgia’s Devonte Wyatt and Jordan Davis, and UConn’s Travis Jones. There is a chance all three could be gone by the time the Bucs select at No. 27. The Bucs not only re-sign Suh and Gholston, but add Hill, who turns 27 in April. Hill will start next to Vita Vea and be the Bucs’ long-term starter while Suh rotates in during his final season. Hill (6-3, 303) is coming off a Super Bowl appearance with the Bengals and had seven sacks last year, including 1.5 in the playoffs.

C Bradley Bozeman – 3 years, $21 million
I don’t trust Robert Hainsey to take over at center in his second year in Tampa Bay. He rarely played as a rookie. Jensen was signed from Baltimore back in 2018, so why not revisit the script? Bozeman has a lot of Jensen-like qualities and at 6-foot-5, 317 pounds, is a big, physical center like Tampa Bay prefers. If Hainsey develops and beats him out, Bozeman could always move to left guard where he began his career with the Ravens.

TE Mo Alie-Cox – 3 years, $18 million
Alie-Cox has been a No. 2 tight end in Indianapolis and may be ready for a bigger role in Tampa Bay. With great size at 6-foot-5, 267 pounds, Alie-Cox is good in-line blocker and a very good receiver. He’s 28 and still in the prime of his career and worth an average of $6 million per year. Alie-Cox had 24 catches for 316 yards (13.2 avg.) and four TDs last year.

RB Cordarrelle Patterson – 2 years, $12 million
Don’t freak out. I’m not signing a running back for $6 million per season. I’m signing a weapon for $6 million per season. Not only am I stealing Patterson away from the Falcons, he’ll be the starting running back and a valuable receiver out of the backfield and even lined up out wide. He rushed for 618 yards and had 548 yards receiving with 11 total touchdowns in his first season with the Falcons. Plus, he will bring a dynamic ability to return kicks.

WR Byron Pringle – 2 years, $6 million
Pringle, a Tampa native, comes home for a great price to compete for the No. 3 receiver role in Tampa Bay. He’s a bargain at an average of $3 million per season. If anything he would be a fantastic No. 4 for the Bucs and an improvement over Tyler Johnson, Scotty Miller and Jalen Darden. Plus, Pringle went to my alma mater, Kansas State, and is coming off his best season in Kansas City. He caught 42 passes for 568 (13.5 avg.) and five touchdowns in 2021.

Reynolds’ 2022 Bucs Draft Picks

Round 2 (from Jaguars) – North Dakota State WR Christian Watson • 6-4, 208

The Bucs need to get a reliable receiver with speed and athleticism to replace Antonio Brown. Watson, who hails from Tampa, ran a 4.36 in the 40-yard dash, which is a great time for a big receiver. His 38.5-inch vertical allows him to win contested catches. Watson posted a ridiculous 9.98 RAS (relative athletic score), which is the fifth best in history, and ahead of Andre Johnson, Javon Walker, Vincent Jackson and Julio Jones. Watson caught 43 passes for 800 yards and seven touchdowns, and averaged 18.6 yards per catch last year for the Bison. He’s totaled 104 receptions for 2,134 yards (20.5 avg.) and 14 TDs in his career. The North Dakota State offense runs the ball a lot so well versed in run blocking on the perimeter, which Bruce Arians loves.

Round 2 – BYU RB Tyler Allgeier • 5-11, 224

The Bucs are looking for a running back to take over for Leonard Fournette, who departed during free agency. Allgeier was a workhorse back last year at BYU where he rushed for 1,601 yards and 23 touchdowns with a 5.8 average. The year prior he ran for 1,130 yards and 13 TDs while averaging 7.5 yards per carry. Allgeier is a physical, punishing runner who had 1,143 yards after contact last year. That was the second-best in college football, according to Pro Football Focus. He also forced 77 missed tackles. Allgeier is a good receiver with 46 career catches for 437 yards (9.5 average) and one touchdown. He’s also a very accomplished pass protector, which is crucial for Arians’ offense. He’ll team with Patterson to give the Bucs a physical, one-two punch.

Round 3 – Western Kentucky OLB DeAngelo Malone • 6-3, 243

Malone’s lack of ideal size almost makes him a Day 3 pick, but his production is intriguing. In five years he recorded 349 tackles, 59 tackles for loss, 32.5 sacks, eight forced fumbles, seven passes defensed, an interception and a fumble recovery for a touchdown. Malone was the Senior Bowl American team Defensive MVP with six tackles and half a sack. He’s an explosive athlete capable of rushing the passer or dropping into coverage. Malone will need to add another 10 pounds of size at the next level to better set the edge in the run game. But while he develops physically he can be a situational pass rusher, challenging Cam Gill for a roster spot. And he can be a factor on special teams, too.

Round 4 (from Jaguars) – Sam Houston State CB Zyon McCollum • 6-2, 199

The Bucs start off Day 3 with a rangy, developmental cornerback in McCollum. The Sam Houston State product has the size that Todd Bowles wants in an outside cornerback. He also lit it up at the NFL Scouting Combine athletically. McCollum earned a 9.99 RAS score (out of possible 10) with a 39.5-inch vertical, a 4.33 time in the 40-yard dash a 3.94 shuttle time and a 6.48 three-cone drill. The production is there, too. McCollum recorded 13 interceptions, 54 pass breakups and six forced fumbles for the Bearkats. He’ll contribute on special teams and add depth at cornerback. McCollum could be groomed to replace either Jamel Dean or Sean Murphy-Bunting in 2023. He has some experience playing in the slot, but is better outside.

Round 4 – North Dakota State OL Cordell Volson • 6-6, 315

Licht likes drafting college offensive tackles and moving them inside. He’s done that multiple times with the likes of Ali Marpet, Alex Cappa and most recently Robert Hainsey. Volson was primarily a right tackle at North Dakota State. But also saw 267 snaps at right guard, 104 snaps at left tackle and 19 snaps at right guard in his career. Volson played guard at the East West Shrine Bowl and dominated as a run blocker. He’ll need some work at pass protection at the next level, but Licht has to love his physical playing style and the way he moves the line of scrimmage. Volson may not start right away, but like Cappa he can develop into a starter in time.

Round 5 – SE Louisiana QB Cole Kelley • 6-7, 249

The Bucs may not want to draft another quarterback after selecting Kyle Trask last year, but I think Kelley is a perfect fit for Arians’ offense. Kelley had a really good throwing session at the Combine, demonstrating arm strength, zip and touch on his passes. At 6-foot-7 he’s built like a dream pocket passer for Arians’ offense. After transferring from Arkansas to SE Louisiana in 2019, Kelley, the NFLPA Bowl MVP, threw for 8,602 yards with 72 touchdowns and 16 interceptions for the Lions. He completed 72.1 percent of his passes with many of those throws being down the seam, which Arians loves to see. Kelley is also an accomplished goal line runner with 38 career touchdowns. Even with Trask and Gabbert the Bucs need two more QBs for camp – and Kelley is one of them.

Round 6 (from Jaguars) – Nebraska TE Austin Allen • 6-8, 253

The Bucs finally address the tight end position, which is deep in this year’s draft. Allen is a massive tight end with a huge wingspan and the ability to block and catch. His 4.83 time in the 40-yard dash will keep him as a Day 3 prospect. And there is a chance he’ll likely run faster at his pro day. But Allen crushed the other athletic testing at the Combine and is a good fit for the Bucs. He averaged 15 yards per catch for the Cornhuskers. Allen hauled in 65 catches for 975 yards and three touchdowns at Nebraska and was a team captain. He’s a great depth piece with possible starter potential down the road.

Round 7 – Washington State RB Max Borghi • 5-9, 210

The Bucs stay on offense with Borghi, a tremendous receiver out of the backfield. He caught 53 passes for 374 yards (7.1 avg.) and four touchdowns as a freshman. Borghi also rushed for 366 yards and eight TDs that year while averaging 5.1 yards per carry. In 2019, Borghi ran for 817 yards and 11 scores while averaging 6.4 yards per carry. He also caught an amazing 86 passes for 597 yards (6.9 avg.) and five TDs. This past season he rushed for a career-high 880 yards and 12 TDs. Labeled a poor man’s Christian McCaffrey, Borghi would make a great third-down back and special teamer in Tampa Bay.

Round 7 (comp pick) – Nicholls State WR Dai’Jean Dixon • 6-2, 210

Dixon is a big receiver who had a pair of 1,000-yard seasons for the Colonels. He totaled 30 touchdowns in four years at Nicholls State with no fewer than seven TDs in any season. Dixon is a smooth receiver who can go up and get contested catches. He averaged 15.5 yards per catch in his college career and shined at the NFLPA Bowl where he caught six passes for 131 yards (21.3 avg.) and a touchdown. Dixon will come in and compete with Tyler Johnson and Scotty Miller for a roster spot as a rookie.

Reynolds’ “Way Too Early” Bucs 53-Man Roster Projection

QUARTERBACKS – 3
Blaine Gabbert
Kyle Trask
Cole Kelley

Analysis: Tom Brady is gone. It’s time to get on board the Blaine Train in 2022. Trask and Kelley will compete for the backup job and the favorite to be the long-term starter in Tampa Bay. The addition of the strong-armed Kelley helps the Bucs hedge their bets in case Trask fails to develop into a starter. Ryan Griffin will be re-signed to the practice squad.

RUNNING BACKS – 4
Cordarrelle Patterson
Tyler Allgeier
Ke’Shawn Vaughn
Max Borghi

Analysis: Patterson was brought in to be the veteran starter this year. He helps the Bucs as a runner, receiver and kick returner. Allgeier is a James Conner clone who is the future at the position. He’ll edge out Vaughn for the backup role as a rookie. Borghi provides depth as a third-down receiving back.

WIDE RECEIVERS – 5
Mike Evans
Chris Godwin
Byron Pringle
Christian Watson
Dai’Jean Dixon

Analysis: The Bucs bring back Godwin and revamp the receiving corps with three new faces. Pringle and Watson will battle for the No. 3 receiver role all season long, while Dixon edges out Johnson, Miller and Darden for the final receiver spot on the depth chart.

TIGHT ENDS – 4
Mo Alie-Cox
Cam Brate
Austin Allen
Codey McElroy

Analysis: Alie-Cox is a nice veteran addition and will be the starter. Allen, a rookie, will compete with Brate for the No. 2 tight end role. McElroy has been developing behind the scenes and wins a spot on the 53-man roster this year.

Ravens C Bradley Bozeman – Photo by: USA Today

OFFENSIVE LINE – 10
LT Donovan Smith
LG Aaron Stinnie
C Bradley Bozeman
RG Alex Cappa
RT Tristan Wirfs
C Robert Hainsey
OT Josh Wells
G Cordell Volson
OL Nick Leverett
G Sadarius Hutcherson

Analysis: The Bucs could go with nine offensive linemen and have Hutcherson on the practice squad. Then Tampa Bay could go with six receivers and keep Miller. But because there has been so much change along the O-line this offseason, the more bodies the better to start the season. In case Stinnie falters, the Bucs have options.

DEFENSIVE LINE – 6
Will Gholston
B.J. Hill
Vita Vea
Ndamukong Suh
Rakeem Nunez-Roches
Pat O’Connor

Analysis: Re-signing Suh and Gholston and adding Hill make this unit stronger than ever this offseason. Suh can be more effective with fewer snaps in rotation. Hill, the future at defensive tackle next to Vea, can be eased into the system in 2022 and provide more of an interior pass rush with his quickness.

OUTSIDE LINEBACKERS – 4
Shaquil Barrett
Joe Tryon-Shoyinka
Anthony Nelson
DeAngelo Malone

Analysis: Tryon-Shoyinka replaces Pierre-Paul, who isn’t re-signed. Nelson is in a contract year, and Malone is added to bring juice and pass rush ability on third down. Nelson is coming off his best season, and is entering his contract year. He will be the No. 3 outside linebacker this season.

Bucs ILBs KJ Britt and Grant Stuard – Photo by: Cliff Welch/PR

INSIDE LINEBACKERS – 4
Devin White
Lavonte David
K.J. Britt
Grant Stuard

Analysis: Britt beats out Minter in training camp for the primary backup inside linebacker role. Minter might be signed to the practice squad for insurance. Stuard continues to be special teams dynamo.

CORNERBACKS – 6
Carlton Davis III
Jamel Dean
Sean Murphy-Bunting
Zyon McCollum
Ross Cockrell
Dee Delaney

Analysis: The starting trio of cornerbacks returns in 2022 with Davis in a contract year as the franchise player. McCollum will compete with Murphy-Bunting and Dean for playing time as a rookie.

SAFETIES – 4
Antoine Winfield, Jr.
Jordan Whitehead
Mike Edwards
Andrew Adams

Analysis: Whitehead is back to bolster the secondary and Adams is back to provide depth at free safety. Edwards is entering a big contract year.

SPECIAL TEAMS – 3
K Ryan Succop
P Bradley Pinion
LS Zach Triner

Analysis: There is a real chance that Jose Borregales beats out Succop in camp. If that happens it would save the Bucs $2.5 million in cap room.

What Did You Think?

Did you like my Bucs Battle Plan for the 2022 offseason? Does it adequately address Tampa Bay’s needs? Which additions did you like best? Let me know what you think in the article comments section below.

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