With so many free agents in the waters, general manager Jason Licht will evaluate which players would be best in red and pewter next season. Across the board are positions where he can make a splash signing, but Licht also enjoys dipping his toe in the water and coming away with bargain signings.

Immediately, one can point to the signing of outside linebacker Shaq Barrett in 2019 as the biggest example, but Tampa Bay also took a chance on signing quarterback Baker Mayfield to a prove-it deal in 2023. Thankfully, the team does not need to go hunting for a quarterback again, but the roster could use another Barrett-level signing.

While some options were laid out there, it is also worth looking at other players who – while not the flashiest signings – are flying under the radar and could be potential bargains.

Veterans With A Track Record Of Success

With the Bucs’ outside linebacker room led by Yaya Diaby, it is no secret that the defense needs established production. Diaby is not there yet, but would one of these veteran options have something left to spark Tampa Bay’s pass rush?

DeMarcus Lawrence

Cowboys DE DeMarcus Lawrence – Photo by: USA Today

The oldest player on this list, DeMarcus Lawrence is a free agent after spending his entire 11-year career with the Cowboys. Lawrence has accumulated plenty of statistics and accolades during that time, including four Pro Bowl selections. While the soon-to-be 33-year-old has a long track record of production, he will not make the same in free agency as Khalil Mack, another free-agent veteran pass rusher. Lawrence is far removed from his 14.5-sack 2017 and 10.5-sack 2018 seasons that put his name on the map. Since then, he has not topped 6.5 sacks in a season, yet he remains a productive player.

Injuries limited him to just four games in 2024, but he managed to amass three sacks. Pro Football Focus (PFF) grades are not the end all be all, but in 2023, he graded as the eighth-best edge rusher. Playing as a defensive end in Dallas’ defensive scheme, the 6-foot-3, 265-pound player nicknamed “Tank” has an all-around game predicated on getting in the backfield and disrupting the passer and running lanes.

On paper, he would fit in head coach Todd Bowles’ defensive scheme as an outside linebacker but more as a designated pass-rushing specialist at this point.

Due to age and injury concerns, Pewter Report’s Josh Queipo predicts a one-year deal for Lawrence around $4.5 million. For the price and track record, he would not be a bad addition to see what he still has left in the tank (pun intended).

Preston Smith

Steelers OLB Preston Smith – Photo by: USA Today

Preston Smith was not on the market until the Steelers released him less than a week ago. Pittsburgh did it as a cap-saving move after acquiring him from the Packers, where he spent the previous five and a half seasons. Smith has a long track record of being a quality player. He has six eight-plus sacks seasons between 2015 and 2023. A consistent player who had a career-high 12 sacks in 2019, the 32-year-old is an imposing defensive presence. After playing just 54% and 30% of the Packers and Steelers defensive snaps in 2024, he is unlikely to have as big of a role as he once did for a defense who signs him.

Still, Smith could be a veteran addition who would offer more than Shaq Barrett at this point and more pass-rushing upside than Anthony Nelson. Relying more on technique and power than athleticism, he profiles best as someone who just needs to be told to pin his ears back and get after opposing quarterbacks. A one-year deal worth $6 million-$7 million is the range to project a deal for him.

Joey Bosa?

Chargers OLB Joey Bosa – Photo by: USA Today

With ESPN’s Dan Graziano suggesting that Joey Bosa is soon to be released by the Chargers, the veteran pass-rusher has plenty of name recognition as the older brother of 49ers defensive end Nick Bosa. Before his younger brother became an elite pass-rusher, he was the third overall pick back in the 2016 NFL Draft. Bosa hit the ground running winning AP Defensive Rookie of the Year and has five Pro Bowls to his name, including in 2024.

With a player of his background, why will he not command a larger payday?

Injuries.

Bosa was limited to playing just five games in 2022 after suffering a groin injury and nine games in 2023 after being placed on injured reserve with a sprained right foot. Although he came back and played 14 games last season, it was in a reduced role rotating into games and playing just 50% of defensive snaps as he dealt with minor back and hip ailments. His recent injury history will hinder his ability to land a big deal, along with the fact he will be turning 30 years old in July.

A one-year contract for $8 million looks to be the ballpark to land his services. While he could still be a factor and is a big name, do not expect the Bucs to be interested in signing him unless his market craters.

Promising Players Who Could Improve On The Bucs

A veteran addition would bring credibility, but not necessarily the production that once garnered them that reputation. A younger player also carries risk, but the potential payoff is landing a longer-term answer ala the Bucs signing Shaq Barrett back as a 27-year-old and seeing him spend five years in Tampa Bay as an elite pass rusher before his short-lived retirement.

Azeez Ojulari

Azeez Ojulari jumps out right away as someone who could thrive in a new environment rather than being with the Giants. A second-round pick in 2021, Ojulari had a promising rookie year with eight sacks. Playing just seven games the following season, he had 5.5 sacks. The additions of Kayvon Thibodeaux and Brian Burns put his trajectory on the back burner as he started just five of 11 games last season, recording six sacks.

There is a reason to bring up those sack totals as they point to extended playing time allowing him to grow and become a full-time starter. Entering the league a bit undersized but highly athletic, he is still a year younger than Yaya Diaby. It makes a lot of sense to take a chance on him and see what it leads to, especially if the Bucs also make a bigger move to shore up the position. Currently, a projected two-year, $10 million deal would likely be what it takes to sign Ojulari and appears to be a bargain.

K’Lavon Chaisson

Raiders OLB K’Lavon Chaisson and Broncos QB Bo Nix – Photo by: USA Today

K’Lavion Chaisson might have earned the “bust” label early in his career after flaming out with the Jaguars as a first-round pick in their infamously horrendous 2020 NFL Draft class. Chassion spent this past season rebuilding his reputation with the Raiders. On a Las Vegas team devoid of a lot of talent, he was tied as the team’s second-leading sacker behind Maxx Crosby with five. That included a late-season run of four sacks over the last six games as he was afforded a majority of the playing time.

He flashed promise and the potential that once made him so highly regarded. This four-minute look at some of his 2024 film caught my eye. A one-year contract worth $5 million is a solid forecast and the sneaky, shrewd kind of move that Jason Licht might be looking to make.

Michael Hoecht

Michael Hoecht is a fun player to look at here. Hoecht was an undrafted free agent signed by the Rams and started as a defensive lineman. Listed at 6-foot-4 and 267 pounds, he originally fit the bill but transitioned to being an outside linebacker during the 2022 season.

Hoecht then saw the field heavily in 2023, playing 85% of the defensive snaps and recording 81 total tackles and six sacks. He was a versatile chess piece in Los Angeles’ defense as someone who can drop into coverage, handle the run well, and still get after the quarterback.

A unique player who would only fit in certain defenses, one has to wonder if one of them is playing under Todd Bowles. Bowles deploys his outside linebackers in different ways, and Hoecht could fill in across the defensive line in the defensive playcaller’s exotic blitz and play designs. Like Azeez Ojulari or K’Lavon Chaisson, one can peg him to make about $6 million per year.

– Pewter Report’s Josh Queipo contributed to this article with free agency contract projections.

Watch The Latest Report Podcast Discussing The Bucs’ Edge Rusher Options

If you want to hear more about these players and the other, bigger-name additions the Bucs could make in free agency, Matt Matera and I discussed all the scenarios on Thursday’s Pewter Report Podcast.