The Current State Of The Bucs

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are coming off a season full of accomplishment and disappointment under the first year of head coach Todd Bowles. The Bucs swept the Saints, beat the Rams and won the NFC South for a second straight year. But Bowles’ team finished the season with an 8-9 record – even with Tom Brady at quarterback – and lost a home playoff game to Dallas.

Now, Brady has retired at age 45 after three seasons in Tampa Bay, and the Bucs are at a turning point. The team isn’t doing a fire sale rebuild. Instead, it’s attempting to reload while remaining competitive in a wide-open NFC South division.

General manager Jason Licht has decided to pay off the Super Bowl credit card, which consists of absorbing all $35 million of Brady’s dead cap money this year. The Bucs were $56 million over the salary cap just days before the start of free agency and have begun to make some cap cuts.

Bucs GM Jason Licht and head coach Todd Bowles – Photo by: Cliff Welch/PR

Left tackle Donovan Smith was released and saves the team just under $10 million. Running back Leonard Fournette was also cut and saves the team nearly $3.5 million. Tight end Cam Brate was also released and saved Tampa Bay just over $2 million. Up next will be some contract restructures or extensions by vice president of football administration Mike Greenberg, who is the team’s capologist.

Tampa Bay has 22 unrestricted free agents, including several starters like linebacker Lavonte David, cornerbacks Jamel Dean and Sean Murphy-Bunting, safeties Mike Edwards, Logan Ryan and Keanu Neal, in addition to defensive linemen like Akiem Hicks, Will Gholston and others. 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 trade or in free agency. Unproven third-year QB Kyle Trask is the only one under contract, but the Bucs will sign at least one veteran to provide competition.

Bowles made some changes on the coaching staff this offseason, firing offensive coordinator Byron Leftwich and several offensive assistants. Dave Canales, Seattle’s former QBs coach and passing game coordinator, takes over for Leftwich as the play-caller. Brad Idzik is the new receivers coach and Skip Peete is the new running backs coach. Thad Lewis was promoted to QBs coach, while George Edwards joins the staff to coach outside linebackers.

Explaining The Bucs Battle Plans For 2023

PewterReport.com writers Scott Reynolds, Matt Matera, Josh Queipo, Bailey Adams, JC Allen and Adam Slivon have devised their own Bucs Plans For the 2023 offseason. These come complete with free agent signings, trades, roster moves and draft picks to hopefully help Tampa Bay three-peat as NFC South champions and make another playoff run.

Bucs VP of player personnel John Spytek and VP of football administration Mike Greenberg – Photo by: Cliff Welch/PR

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 until Wednesday at 4:00 p.m. ET to get into cap compliance and trim millions through cuts, restructures or extensions from the current salary cap overage.

Licht and Greenberg can create plenty of salary cap space by restructuring the contracts of several players and lowering their 2023 cap values. Wide receiver Chris Godwin ($23,750,000 cap value in 2023), wide receiver Mike Evans ($23,698,500), outside linebacker Shaquil Barrett ($21,252,941), cornerback Carlton Davis III ($18,215,686), nose tackle Vita Vea ($15,651,652) and center Ryan Jensen ($15,000,000) are the prime candidates.

The free agents that Tampa Bay signs and re-signs 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 2023. The cap is expected to rise in 2024 and Tampa Bay can defer some money into later years.

Queipo’s Bucs Battle Plan For The 2023 Offseason

The approach I am trying to take with my Bucs Battle Plan is to reset the team’s cap position for 2023 and beyond without going into full tear-down mode. The NFC South is a division that can still be won by almost any of the four teams in it and that includes the Bucs. You will see me take more fliers a la 2019 Shaq Barrett in an effort to find some diamonds in the rough to complement an already solid core of young talent. There will be no trading away of major assets, but there will also be no “big moves” to go “all-in” on 2022.

Bucs Restructures

NT Vita Vea – One of the perks of the structure of Vea’s contract is the ability to convert base salary to bonus. That will lower his cap hits throughout most of his contract. This conversion brings him from $15,651,652 to $6,799,887.

Bucs WR Chris Godwin – Photo by: Cliff Welch/PR

WR Chris Godwin – Godwin just signed a three-year deal prior to last season. Despite not quite being the pre-ACL tear Godwin, he still had a very successful season with over 100 catches and 1,000 yards. Godwin should be a pillar for new offensive coordinator Dave Canales’ offense. The restructure frees up $14.19 million on the salary cap.

C Ryan Jensen – The Bucs have yet to recoup any of their investment after signing Jensen to a three-year, $39 million contract last year. Jensen suffered a devastating knee injury early in training camp and only managed to play in the Bucs disappointing playoff loss to the Dallas Cowboys. Restructuring Jensen gives them their former top-five center back and hopefully some added stability to their offensive line. The move saves the team $8.5 million in cap space.

WR Russell Gage – I have been an ardent supporter of the Bucs keeping Gage despite the potential for them to cut him. In my Battle Plan the Bucs save more cap space with a restructure than a cut and have their WR3 in place for Canales. In the process the Bucs pick up $4.46 million in cap space.

CB Carlton Davis – Like Jensen and Godwin, Davis signed a three-year pact with the Bucs last year. While he did not have an outstanding 2022, it was a solid season and he had flashes of brilliance (see: Bengals game). The restructure nets the Bucs $6.71 million in savings.

Bucs Cuts

K Ryan Succop—Succop has been an accurate short-field kicker for the Bucs over the past three years. This provided stability the team lacked for several years prior. However, Succop’s leg doesn’t really hold to the standard of today’s kicker in terms of range. Also, he is making a sizable amount of money. Releasing him nets the Bucs $3.25M in savings.

Unrestricted Free Agents Re-Signed

FS Logan Ryan — 1 year deal, $2 million

Ryan provided solid play for the Bucs last year when he was in the lineup and gives them a smart player with great communication skills to be a high-floor backup safety.

Bucs CB Donovan Smith – Photo by: Cliff Welch/PR

CB Sean Murphy-Bunting — 1 year deal, $2.5 million

This decision will trigger many Bucs fans. SMB has his warts and cannot be counted on for reliability throughout an entire season. However, he also has some positives that he would bring for a low price-tag. He is athletic, knows the Todd Bowles system and has shown that for stretches he can play at a good-to-high level. This move provides the Bucs with a decent backup who can potentially be a low end CB2 if the draft doesn’t fall the Bucs way for a corner.

DT Rakeem Nunez Roches — 1 year deal, $1.75 million

Nunez-Roches has provided good depth for the Bucs across multiple defensive line positions and a high level of run defense.

DT Deadrin Senat — 1 year deal, $1.33 million

Senat was a surprising revelation for the Bucs as a mid-season pickup a la Ross Cockrell in 2020. Over his 165 snaps he registered a 68.2 Pro Football Focus. With him and Nunes-Roches Tampa Bay addressed the depth at the defensive line.

OLB Carl Nassib — 1 year deal, $2 million

Nassib was a decent backup pass rusher last year after being signed late following a season-ending injury to Cam Gill. Nassib had an 11% pressure rate with 12 total pressures on 110 pass rush snaps while providing decent run defense.

ILB Lavonte David — 1 year deal, $10.5 million

David is brought back for at least one more ride. I give him a $4.5 million signing bonus that allows me to lower his 2023 cap hit to $9.785 million.

Unrestricted Free Agents Not Re-Signed

TE Kyle Rudolph

Rudolph looked like he was at the end of his career last year. He doesn’t return as the team looks to make strategic efforts to get younger.

Bucs CB Jamel Dean – Photo by: Cliff Welch/PR

CB Jamel Dean

Dean played out of his gourd last year. Great for him, but bad for the Bucs chances at re-signing him. Dean’s market value is four years and $68 million. The Bucs just can’t afford to stay in the bidding.

DE Will Gholston

Similar to Rudolph, Gholston is on the wrong side of 30 and his play showed it. Gholston’s ability to rush the passer evaporated and his run defense took several steps back. I wouldn’t be surprised if Gholston hangs up his cleats for good.

S Keanu Neal

Neal provided much needed depth for the Bucs in 2022. The secondary was banged up throughout most of the season and Neal logged almost 600 snaps of slightly below average play. While Neal was a solid blitzer he also allowed a 131.9 passer rating when he was targeted. With Ryan being re-signed the Bucs decide to let their other veteran linebacker walk.

DT Akiem Hicks

Hicks was hardly the pass rusher the Bucs hoped he would be when they signed him late last summer. He made a difference as a run defender but was predictably injured for stretches of the season. For the price Hicks would expect he just does not provide the reliability or pass rush the Bucs are looking for.

S Mike Edwards

Edwards got his first taste of starting action in 2022 and his play dropped off from his previous three seasons as a part-time player. He had a good start to the season before having a horrendous stretch through the middle of the year. He finished on an upswing. Edwards will be looking for a multi-year deal that I’m just not willing to give him with so many other pressing needs.

WR Breshad Perriman

Perriman leaves after having some memorable moments highlighting extremely inconsistent play.

Bucs WR Scotty Miller – Photo by: Cliff Welch/PR

WR Scotty Miller

Miller’s size and lack of lateral quickness make him a difficult player to count on. He’s not a slot receiver and his lack of length make him a difficult player to rely on outside. I elect to go in a different direction.

RB Giovani Bernard

Bernard’s time with the Bucs comes to an end with his most memorable play being a botched fake punt that helped the Bucs lose to the Bengals.

OLB Anthony Nelson

While many will look at Nelson’s raw sacks and hope to resign him, his snap-to-snap production as a pass rusher is something I think can be easily upgraded.

OT Josh Wells

Wells just can’t be relied on to fill in as a backup without getting injured himself. I look to get younger and more reliable at this spot.

QB Blaine Gabbert

Gabbert was in Tampa Bay for the past four years primarily because of his extensive knowledge of the Bruce Arians/Byron Leftwich system. That system is now gone and so too is Gabbert.

DE Pat O’Connor

O’Connor has been a special teams stalwart for several years but I elect to go younger and cheaper in this spot.

OG Aaron Stinnie

Stinnie became a darling of Bucs fans after filling in admirably during the 2020 playoffs enroute to a Super Bowl. However, Stinnie’s athleticism is limited and he is coming off of a major injury. Those two factors combined make me think he will be hard pressed to fit into the Bucs new wide zone scheme.

Bucs Extensions

Bucs WR Mike Evans – Photo by: Cliff Welch/PR

Mike Evans – 2 years $40 million ($35 million fully guaranteed)

The Bucs add a couple of years to Evans’ deal to ensure he retires a Buc. This move also allows the team to free up some much-needed cap room as his salary drops by $10.668 million.

Tristan Wirfs – 5 years $112.5 million ($47.58M million fully guaranteed)

I recently dove deep on why I think this will ultimately be the contract Wirfs receives. It may be wise for the team to lock him up sooner rather than later as, barring significant injury, that price tag can only go up.

Devin White – 5 years $102.5 million ($49.75 million fully guaranteed)

I know this is a controversial move. But here is the thing. These battle plans are only fun for me if I make moves I think are in the realm of possibility for the Bucs. And the fact is head coach Todd Bowles is high on White and he is most likely going to get paid. There are some advantages to the Bucs making the move now.

For one, it actually frees up cap space in 2023 to the tune of $8.5 million, allowing me to be a bit more aggressive in free agency. As a matter of fact, the money saved this year executing this deal allows me to re-sign Lavonte David. Secondly, it rolls the guarantees in White’s deal into this year, effectively accelerating how quickly the team can move on from White should he not play up to the value of this deal. In this scenario the Bucs can walk away in 2026 without being upside down on the deal.

Restricted Free Agents Not Re-Signed

OLB Cam Gill

Gill is undersized, coming off of a major injury, is 26 years old, was a bubble player to begin with. That’s just too much working against him at this point.

Exclusive Rights Free Agents Re-Signed

Bucs LG Nick Leverett – Photo by: Cliff Welch/PR

OG Nick Leverett — 1 year, $940,000

Leverett to a certain extent saved the day for the Bucs last year, taking over at left guard for the struggling rookie Luke Goedeke. Once he stepped in, Leverette was able to stabilize the level of play at that position and you saw former Bucs quarterback Tom Brady become more comfortable in the pocket as a result. Leverett provides a high-floor player to once again battle for that starting left guard spot in training camp.

CB Dee Delaney — 1 year, $940,000

Delaney provides some versatility as he has logged snaps at outside corner, slot corner, and safety. While he is limited athletically, Delaney has shown himself to be a smart player who understands where he needs to be. For league minimum that’s a value at twice the price.

New Unrestricted Free Agents Signed

RB Rashaad Penny — 1 year, $2.25 million

I banged my fist on the table for Penny last year during my Battle Plan, and with the addition of Canales I am doubling down this year. When he has been healthy, Penny has been a very good player. The first part is the key though. I make $750,000 of his deal per game roster bonuses which allows me to get him in for under $1.75 million on the salary cap.

LT Andre Dillard — 2 years, $8.5 million

I am on record as thinking Dillard is an excellent buy-low candidate. He is a former first round pick who has produced solid play when given the opportunity. Athletically, Dillard is above most. He tested extremely well in both explosiveness and agility drills coming out of college. Both of those traits would work well in the wide zone system the Bucs are set to emply.

With the 22nd pick in the 2019 NFL Draft, the #Eagles select Andre Dillard, OT, Washington State.

Andre Dillard posted a Elite #RAS with Okay size, Elite speed, Great explosiveness, Elite agility at the OT position. pic.twitter.com/bpgXmpTYnb

— Kent Lee Platte (@MathBomb) April 26, 2019

With a $2 million signing bonus and a $4 million roster bonus in 2024, I fit Dillard in for just $2.5 million this year.

QB Jacoby Brissett – Photo by: USA Today

QB Jacoby Brissett — 1 year, $5.5 million

Brissett has shown himself to be a capable starter if need be, who can effectively back up a younger quarterback. He is the perfect quarterback to push Kyle Trask to earn the starting job. And if Trask can’t win the job Brissett provides a high floor to allow head coach Todd Bowles to still try to win the division. As a bonus, Brissett operated last year out of a similar offensive system to the one the Bucs will employ this year.

WR Marquise Goodwin — 1 year, $1.165 million

Goodwin provides two things the Bucs would be interested in. The first is speed. Even at 33 years old Goodwin can still move. The second is a familiarity with Canales’ new system. And with the Bucs Goodwin would not have to be a WR3 like he was in Seattle. He would fill a depth role where he can help the other receivers learn the offense as a mentor/deep threat.

DT Matt Ioannidis — 1 year, $4.5 million

Ioannidis doesn’t have the high-end ceiling of an Akiem Hicks from a year ago. But he also provides a much safer floor. With 69 pressures over the past two seasons, he can provide a more consistent pass rush partner to pair with Vita Vea.

OLB Efe Obada — 1 year, $1.08 million

Obada is a terrible run defender. But with 97 pressures and 15 sacks for his career, Obada can be a very effective pass rush specialist.

DT Hassaan Ridgeway — 1 year, $1.25 million

Ridgeway is coming off of a year where he played as a part of the vaunted 49ers defensive line, and while his play grades weren’t fantastic, as a depth signing he can help play as part of a rotation.

K Greg Zuerlein — 1 year, $2 million

Zuerlein isn’t a pro bowler, but he is reliable and provides a bigger leg than Ryan Succop. For his career Zuerlein has hit 55% of his kicks from beyond 50. Last year he matched that number. Zuerlein isn;t flashy, but he is reliable.

QB Josh Johnson — 1 year, $1.165 million

It was too much fun not to do. Bring Johnson back to the Bay to finish what he started all those years ago. Anyone filling in this spot is going to be on a minimum deal anyway.

Round 1 – Alabama S Brian Branch • 6-0, 193 • Junior

Branch brings a high level of play and versatility to a secondary that is turning over quickly. He is twitchy and instinctual and has a nose for the ball. Branch can play well in the slot, the box or up top. He has shown to be a talented blitzer. What’s more is that in a Todd Bowles defense he and Antoine Winfield Jr. can both be used as chess pieces, creating nightmares for opposing offenses.

Round 2 – Stanford CB Kyu Blu Kelly • 6-0, 191 • Senior

Kelly is a big physical corner who is at his most comfortable in press coverage. Those are corners Bowles covets. The Tampa connection through his father, former Buc Brian Kelly, can’t hurt either. Kelly has great athleticism, loose hips, strong hands, and stays in phase with aplomb throughout his opponent’s route through the stem.

Round 3 – Michigan EDGE Mike Morris • 6-5, 275 • Senior

At 6-foot-5, 275 pounds Morris brings a unique size profile to the edge position. He has impressive bend for his size. He plays hard and fast and uses his long arms to generate a ton of power. When winning the edge Morris will dip his shoulder to turn the corner. He provides a solid floor as he is a strong run defender, setting the edge and maintaining outside leverage. With 37 pressures on 218 pass rush snaps his pressure rate is in line with Will Anderson Jr. Morris’ production jumped in 2022 with 8.5 sacks. He can provide a similar level of run defense as Anthony Nelson with a higher pass rushing upside.

Round 5 – Minnesota RB Mohamed Ibrahim – 5-8, 203 • Junior

Ibrahim is a big, physical back who runs angry. In 2022 he was able to create over 1,000 yards after contact force 71 missed tackles per PFF. He pairs his strong lower half with great vision that allows him to set up blocks and find cut back lanes that other backs may not be able to. Ibrahim has had some injuries that drives down his draft stock.  A five-year starter, Ibrahim will be able to immediately contribute. Ibrahim was a solid pass blocker in 2021 but struggled in 2022. He hasn’t shown to be a threat in the receiving game and would most likely come off the field in passing situations.

Round 5 (compensatory pick) – Purdue TE Payne Durham • 6-5, 253 • Senior

At 6-foot-5, 253 pounds, Durham has great size for the position. His demeanor is one football guys love to be around. He puts in a ton of effort in blocking and enjoys finding contact after the catch. Pop on a highlight video of Payne and you are bound to see him lowering his shoulder as he runs through would-be tacklers. Payne is a labored mover. His hips are stiff, and he lacks a high gear, although when he gets under way his speed is deceptive to his opponents. Durham would provide a steady compliment to Otton and a better receiving option than Ko Kieft. Durham’s chief calling card is reliability as he only had eight drops and hauled in 57% of his contested catch opportunities over his four-year career.

Round 6 – Georgia OT Warren McClendon • 6-4, 300 • Junior

McClendon comes from a two-time national champion offense where he faced SEC competition on a weekly basis. At 6-foot-4 and 300 pounds he is a bit short and lean, but he has quick feet and moves well to the second level. He could fit well in the Bucs’ wide zone scheme.

Round 6  – Jackson State LB Aubrey Miller Jr. • 6-2, 225 • Senior

It’s a shame Miller wasn’t invited to the NFL Combine. After seeing his 20+ MPH tracked speed at the Senior Bowl I am convinced he would have put on a show. Hopefully we still see his impressive athleticism on display at his pro day in a few weeks. Miller was used as a pass rusher quite a bit, but in his limited opportunities in pass coverage he played pretty well. Miller will need to improve as a run defender, improving his ability to stack and shed as well as his tackling. But if he can improve in those areas his natural gifts can potentially act as the base for an above average linebacker.

Round 7 – Miami TE Will Mallory • 6-4, 239 • Senior

Mallory is a lightweight, lean tight end with long legs and longer strides. He has 72 catches for 889 yards and seven touchdowns over the past two seasons. While Mallory has decent speed and fluid hips, he isn’t overly athletic. He isn’t a strong blocker, and it is largely due to his thin frame and lack of strength. This makes him ideally suited for an “F” tight end role. As a fourth tight end Mallory can work on improving his play strength while providing the team with a bit more of a dynamic playmaker than Durham or Kieft.

Round 7 (compensatory pick) — Fresno State WR Jalen Moreno-Cropper • 5-11, 172 • Senior

Moreno-Cropper was a highly productive player over the past two years at Fresno State with 232 targets, 168 catches 1,994 yards and 16 touchdowns. A talented route runner with fast feet that allow him to accelerate and decelerate quickly in and out of cuts. He has limitations to his game as he is not great at hauling in contested catches and lacks the top end speed to win vertically, but he provides a reliable underneath with good body control.

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

QUARTERBACKS – 3
Kyle Trask
Jacoby Brissett
Josh Johnson
Analysis: Trask is given every opportunity to enter the season as QB1 with an opportunity to win a down NFC South. Should he falter the Bucs could turn to Brissett, who has proven capable as they make long-term plans to solve the quarterback position for the long-term.

Bucs RB Rachaad White – Photo by: Cliff Welch/PR

RUNNING BACKS – 4
Rachaad White
Ke’Shawn Vaughn
Rashaad Penny
Mohamed Ibrahim
Analysis: White gets his opportunity to be the lead back in a committee that is unproven but talented. Penny will get touches so long as he is healthy. Vaughn gets a chance to show more than just glimpses to begin the year. By the end of the year Ibrahim has seen action because the attrition rate at the position is so high.

WIDE RECEIVERS – 6
Mike Evans
Chris Godwin
Russell Gage
Deven Thompkins
Marquise Goodwin
Jalen Cropper
Analysis: The top three provide for an enviable starting squad. But depth falls off quickly. Thompkins showed some flash last year in limited playing time. Goodwin still has wheels but is nearing the end. Gage provides depth on the outside if one of Evans/Godwin goes down and Thompkins/Goodwin/Moreno-Cropper provide excellent depth for the slot.

TIGHT ENDS– 4
Cade Otton
Ko Kieft
Payne Durham
Will Mallory
Analysis: Otton gets his shot to be TE1 with Durham slotting into the backup role. Kieft stays around as a plus blocker and Mallory gives the team a bit more dynamism that they can use in targeted situations. This position is one of the weaker ones on the team but they can readdress in 2024 when players like T.J. Hockenson, Cole Kmet and Noah Fant are set to hit free agency.

Bucs RT Tristan Wirfs and RB Ke’Shawn Vaughn – Photo by: Cliff Welch/PR

OFFENSIVE LINE – 9
LT Andre Dillard
LG Nick Leverett
OC Ryan Jensen
RG Shaq Mason
RT Tristan Wirfs
OL Luke Goedeke
OC Robert Hainsey
OT Brandon Walton
OT Warren McClendon
Analysis: From Wirfs to Jensen the Bucs should feel they have a fantastic foundation for a strong line. It gets a bit dicier as they move left. For me left guard is Nick Leverett’s to lose despite Goedeke’s draft status. Dillard is a high upside play who could pay off big. Goedeke and Hainsey provide versatile backups who can move into multiple positions. Walton could be replaced by Dylan Cook who has been on the Bucs practice squad and the team is high on his development. McClendon is a good mover who the team can try to develop,

DEFENSIVE LINE – 6
Vita Vea
Logan Hall
Matt Ioannidis
Rakeem Nunez-Roches
Deadrin Senat
Hassan Ridgeway
Analysis: The Bucs are hoping Hall can pack on some muscle and become a three-down starter with pass rushing juice after a disappointing rookie campaign. Vea started slow in 2022 but finished strong. Ioannidis provides the Bucs with an above average rotational player. Meanwhile, Nunez-Roches and Senat give depth as run-stuffers.

Bucs OLB Shaquil Barrett and DT Logan Hall – Photo by: Cliff Welch/PR

EDGE RUSHERS – 5
Shaq Barrett
Joe Tryon-Shoyinka
Efe Obada
Carl Nassib
Mike Morris
Analysis: Barrett is returning from a serious knee injury and can’t be counted on to reform to his pre-injury form. Tryon-Shoyinka had a good development season in 2022 but has to improve his ability to wrap up in order to improve his sack numbers. Obada, Morris and Nassib give a strong amount of depth with good histories of being able to get after quarterbacks. While there isn’t a star at the top at this point the Bucs can succeed in this room through depth.

INSIDE LINEBACKERS – 4
Lavonte David
Devin White
KJ Britt
Aubrey Miller Jr.
Analysis: Despite his increasing age, David is still playing at an extremely high level with savant-like instincts. White brings elite athleticism to the fold. He finished out last year playing more controlled. Britt played poorly when on the field last year. His limited speed and movement skills put a ceiling on his potential. If Miller can develop, his athleticism could allow him to become an above-average starter.

CORNERBACKS – 5
Carlton Davis
Kyu Blu Kelly
Sean Murphy-Bunting
Zyon McCollum
Dee Delaney
Analysis: Davis provides a strong CB1. Kelly, SMB and McCollum would have an open battle for the CB2 role. Delaney provides experience as depth behind three very athletic players.

Bucs S Logan Ryan – Photo by: USA Today

SAFETIES – 4
Antoine Winfield Jr.
Brian Branch
Logan Ryan
Nolan Turner
Analysis: Branch and Winfield Jr. provide two Swiss army knives with playmaking skills to move around as Bowles sees fit. Ryan can come on the field in nickel packages as one of the starters moves into the slot. Turner gets his chance to finally crack the final 53.

SPECIALISTS – 3
K Greg Zuerlein
P Jake Camarda
LS Zach Triner
Analysis: The Bucs can finally feel confident that they have a shot at a +50-yard field goal. Camarda had a strong rookie season and looks to build upon it in 2023.

What Did You Think?

  Did you like my Bucs Battle Plan for the 2023 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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