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. Then came some contract restructuring/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.

Adams’ Bucs Battle Plan For The 2023 Offseason

My Bucs Battle Plan is designed with the goal of capitalizing on what is still expected to be a very wide-open NFC South. Derek Carr quarterbacking the Saints isn’t enough to scare me into blowing it all up and tanking in 2023, and it shouldn’t scare the Bucs either. This Bucs Battle Plan aims to accomplish two things: Keep the team competitive while paying off the bill for the Super Bowl window as much as possible.

Another thing to keep in mind: As much as the division might be there for the taking, there’s no sense in kicking the can even farther down the road too much. By piecing together the roster and looking for value now, Tampa Bay can enter 2024 and beyond with a much more favorable salary cap situation. So, that’s what I’ll try to do here in the free agency portion of my Bucs Battle Plan before attempting to find several day one starters in the NFL Draft.

Bucs Restructures

WR Chris Godwin – Godwin never fully looked like the Godwin of old in 2022, but he still posted 104 catches and 1,023 yards in his first season since tearing his ACL. I like his chances to return to his old form in 2023 under new offensive coordinator Dave Canales, no matter who the quarterback is. Restructuring the three-year, $60 million deal he signed last offseason saves $14,190,000 in cap space.

NT Vita Vea – After leading the Bucs in sacks with a career-high 6.5 last year, Vea will eye a second Pro Bowl in three seasons this fall. Converting his base salary to a bonus can free up just over $8.5 million in cap space.

CB Carlton Davis III – The 2023 season wasn’t completely underwhelming for Davis or anything, but he was the second-best cornerback on the team for much of the year. Nonetheless, he’ll remain CB1 this year. Restructuring the three-year contract he signed last offseason nets $6,710,000 in cap room.

Bucs C Ryan Jensen – Photo by: Cliff Welch/PR

C Ryan Jensen – Jensen toughed it out and miraculously returned from his season-long knee injury to play in the Bucs’ Wild Card loss to the Cowboys in January. Even if Robert Hainsey was more than serviceable in his place, it was obvious how much he was missed last year. So, having him back to full health in 2023 would/will be massively helpful. Restructuring his deal brings a tad more than $8.5 million in space.

OLB Shaq Barrett – Barrett is in a tough spot right now, as he’s on the wrong side of 30 and coming off a torn Achilles. But as Tampa Bay’s only proven pass rusher, he needs to have a major bounce-back campaign. Restructuring his contract gives me another $9,813,750 to work with in cap space.

WR Russell Gage – Gage had a disappointing first season with Tampa Bay, as he dealt with a hamstring injury for much of the season. But he still has plenty of value as the team’s WR3, especially in Dave Canales’ offensive system. Plus, restructuring his three-year, $30 million deal nets over $7 million in cap room as opposed to saving roughly $3 million by cutting him. Keeping him on board gives the Bucs’ new signal-caller three proven wide receivers to work with at the top of the depth chart.

OG Shaq Mason – We finish off this round of restructures by working with Mason, who did a solid job in his first year as a Buc. He, Jensen and Tristan Wirfs make up a strong core along the offensive line, even after the departure of longtime left tackle Donovan Smith. A restructure with the former New England Patriot frees up an additional $4,751,250.

Bucs Cuts

K Ryan Succop – I recently wrote about the potential for the Bucs to hold on for one more year with Succop. The team only just put its kicking curse in the past, with the veteran coming to town in 2020 to solidify the position for the first time in years. He set a franchise record for single-season points and served the team well for three seasons, but he doesn’t have the range to be worth his contract anymore. Parting ways with him gives me another $3.25 million in cap space.

Bucs Hang Tight In The First Round, But Pick Up An Additional Selection On Day 2

Bucs head coach Todd Bowles and GM Jason Licht – Photo courtesy of the Buccaneers

There’s definitely something to the idea of trading down in the first round of this year’s draft and adding some significant draft capital. This draft is deep at a variety of positions, which means there’s a lot of value to be had on day two and even day three. But as enticing as a trade-down scenario might be, I’ll stay put at No. 19.

However, I don’t love the idea of not having a fourth-round pick this year. So, I’ll send a 2024 third-rounder to Kansas City for the 122nd pick this year. With that move, I’ll go into the last weekend of April with 10 selections:

Round 1 – No. 19
Round 2 – No. 50
Round 3 – No. 82
Round 4 – No. 122 (From Kansas City)
Round 5 – No. 155
Round 5 – No. 175 (Compensatory Pick)
Round 6 – No. 181
Round 6 – No. 196
Round 7 – No. 232
Round 7 – No. 252 (Compensatory Pick)

Unrestricted Free Agents Re-Signed

Bucs ILB Lavonte David – Photo by: Cliff Welch/PR

LB Lavonte David — 2 years, $18.5 million

I couldn’t fathom the idea of putting this Bucs Battle Plan together without bringing David back. Call it a sentimental decision if you want (he should retire a Buccaneer), but the veteran linebacker is still playing at a high level even if he isn’t the splashy playmaker he once was. The free agency market is full of younger linebackers, so I’m banking on being able to sign the 33-year-old to a two-year pact with a more reasonable average annual value of $9.25 million.

S Logan Ryan — 1 year, $2 million

I was pleased with what Ryan did in 2022 when healthy, so my Bucs Battle Plan involves running it back with him in 2023. I think he has a lot to offer in terms of depth, especially for a young group of safeties (more on that later).

DL Rakeem Nunez-Roches — 1 year, $2 million

Speaking of players who have a lot to offer in terms of depth, “Nacho” sticks around for another year. He picked up his first two sacks as a Buc in 2022 and can continue to be a high-motor guy in the rotation. Tampa Bay needs to move on and revamp the interior of its defensive line eventually, but we can’t get to everything this offseason. Running it back and upgrading elsewhere is the best I can do for now.

DL Will Gholston — 1 year, $2.5 million

Gholston’s best days are probably behind him, but he’s a fantastic locker room guy who can still add something to the defensive line. Ideally, he’d be back to work as a rotational guy (essentially swapping roles with Logan Hall), but I’m pretty much having to bank on a rebound year for him after he took a step back in 2022.

Bucs CB Sean Murphy-Bunting – Photo by: Cliff Welch/PR

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

This is something of a prove-it deal for Murphy-Bunting. Jamel Dean is going to price himself out of town, but one of Todd Bowles’ favorite cornerbacks gets another run at it as a depth piece in the secondary. He’s been splashy from time to time and while he has his drawbacks, I still think there may be something in there with him. A big year on a prove-it deal could give him a chance to re-establish his value for next offseason.

DL Pat O’Connor — 1 year, $1.08 million 

O’Connor can work into the rotation and brings a lot to the locker room as well, plus he’s a key special teamer for the Bucs. He’s cheap enough and effective enough to get another contract to continue his run in Tampa.

OLB Carl Nassib — 1 year, $2.5 million

Nassib’s return to Tampa last summer was a welcome sight. He’s a valuable rotational pass rusher who won’t command a significant salary. He tallied 3.5 sacks off the bench last year and despite turning 30 before the start of the season, he’d be a good guy to have off the edge as the team waits to see whether Shaq Barrett returns to form or Joe Tryon-Shoyinka lives up to his draft status.

Exclusive Rights Free Agents Re-Signed

LG Nick Leverett — 1 year, $940,000

Leverett did extremely well for himself when he stepped in for the injured/underperforming Luke Goedeke in 2022. He deserves to come back and compete for the left guard spot again. His positional versatility is a plus, too.

CB Dee Delaney — 1 year, $940,000

Delaney knows Todd Bowles’ defense and has made himself into a valuable depth cornerback worth sticking with in a year of transition at the position.

Bucs Extensions

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

WR Mike Evans — 3 years, $60 million ($55 million guaranteed)

Evans is another player who should retire a Buc. Once again, it’s sentimental, but it’s also practical. The best offensive player in franchise history, he has crossed the 1,000-yard receiving mark in each of his nine seasons and totaled eight or more receiving touchdowns in six of them. Whoever Tampa Bay’s quarterback of the future is will need a well-established receiver he can depend on. Evans is exactly who would best fill that role, and inking him to an extension now saves more than $10.5 million in cap room.

LB Devin White — 5 years, $102 million ($48 million guaranteed)

White is a complicated figure amongst Bucs fans. The potential and ceiling are clearly there and he has reached some serious heights over the years. But the mistakes sometimes outweigh the splash plays, and Tampa Bay can’t be having that. Still, as up-and-down as he might be, you’re not going to find a linebacker as fast and athletic as him just anywhere. And, assuming I’m putting this team together for Todd Bowles, there’s no way I’d get away with planning for a future without White. To top it all off, an extension also saves more than $7.5 million in 2023 cap space.

Unrestricted Free Agents Not Re-Signed

CB Jamel Dean

This one will hurt the most, as Dean developed into a legitimate CB2/CB1A during his career with the Bucs. But given the state of the salary cap and the contract he deserves (and will get), there’s just nothing realistic that can be done here. It’s unfortunate, to say the least.

DT Deadrin Senat

Senat was a relative surprise after signing with Tampa Bay in 2022, but you can only re-sign so many defensive linemen who are serviceable enough without having all that high of a ceiling.

Bucs QB Blaine Gabbert – Photo by: Cliff Welch/PR

QB Blaine Gabbert

Okay, actually, this one may hurt the most. Gabbert — a favorite of Pewter Report’s Scott Reynolds and a local hero — sees his time in Tampa come to an end. With the Bruce Arians/Byron Leftwich system out and the Dave Canales offense in, Gabbert is left to take his dashing looks and heroic actions to a new city.

TE Kyle Rudolph

Rudolph proved to be quite the disappointment in 2022, often finding himself as a healthy inactive on game day. I just don’t think he has much of anything left at this stage in his career.

DT Akiem Hicks

Hicks was a disappointment himself, fighting an early foot injury before coming back and offering little of note in terms of pass rush. He had just one sack and at 33, he’s not someone I’m interested in bringing back in hopes of a better 2023.

S Mike Edwards

Edwards didn’t really show enough in his first taste of starting action to warrant being a priority this offseason. He probably prices himself out of a Bucs uniform anyway, but I think it may be best for both sides to move on.

WR Breshad Perriman

OK, actually actually, this one hurts the most. Not even Perriman’s status as an alum of the best college in Florida can save him in my Bucs Battle Plan. Injuries and inconsistency plagued both of his runs with Tampa Bay, but he had some big moments that he’ll be able to hang onto.

Bucs WR Scotty Miller – Photo by: USA Today

WR Scotty Miller

Miller’s role has diminished more and more since the latter half of the 2020 season. Antonio Brown’s arrival cut into his snaps and he never really reestablished himself in the Tampa Bay offense in the following years. “Scooter” is better off finding a new opportunity, but we’ll always have that last-second touchdown in the first half of the NFC Championship win over Green Bay.

WR Julio Jones

He had a good run as one of the game’s very best receivers, but Jones is cooked. He couldn’t stay healthy for the Bucs in 2022 and hasn’t played more than 10 games in a season since 2019. At age 34, it’s hard to imagine a renaissance of any kind for the seven-time Pro Bowler.

S Keanu Neal

Neal is a thumper and while I would’ve liked to bring him back on another cheap, one-year deal, the money didn’t work out here.

RB Giovani Bernard

Bernard’s time in Tampa felt like a bit of a waste. Injuries held him back from ever becoming a factor.

OT Josh Wells

Wells served his swing tackle role pretty well, but the patellar injury he suffered on Christmas night will keep him out a while.

OLB Anthony Nelson

Nelson may not get the same type of deal Nassib got when he left Tampa the first time, but he still may get a decent pay day after finishing with 5.5 and five sacks in the last two seasons, respectively.

G Aaron Stinnie

Stinnie’s run at right guard during the Super Bowl run three years ago was the stuff of legends, and he’ll always have that. But coming off of a major injury and stepping into a crowded battle for the left guard spot may not be best for him.

OLB Genard Avery

Avery did little of note with the Bucs, and I can’t think of a reason to bring him back.

Restricted Free Agents Not Re-Signed

OLB Cam Gill 

This is perhaps a little harsh on Gill, who had a chance to be a part of the pass rushing rotation last year before suffering a season-ending injury in August. But the Bucs need more from their edge rushers in 2023, and I’m not sure if Gill is the guy to count on for it.

New Unrestricted Free Agents Signed

Vikings CB Patrick Peterson Photo By: USA Today

CB Patrick Peterson — 1 year, $5 million

This is my big addition for the offseason. Call it unrealistic if you want, but Peterson loved playing for Todd Bowles in Arizona and he’s coming off of a phenomenal season in Minnesota that saw him total five interceptions and 15 passes defensed. He’d make a great pair with Carlton Davis III and provide Tampa Bay with a heck of a stopgap at the cornerback position as the team looks to develop Zyon McCollum or find a new CB2 in 2024. He’ll be 33 this season, which is perhaps why PFF projects a $5 million deal for him.

QB Josh Johnson — 1 year, $1.165 million

Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery, eh Josh Queipo? Johnson has plenty of experience being the last resort option at quarterback, and I’m signing him for exactly that role. And everything comes full circle for him as he returns to Tampa more than a decade after he left.

WR Byron Pringle — 1 year, $2 million

Talk about a return to Tampa! Pringle, a native of Tampa who starred at Robinson High School (my alma mater, for the record) before going on to Kansas State, finds himself on the market again this offseason. His one-year stint with Chicago was disappointing, as he caught just 10 passes for 135 yards and two touchdowns after signing a contract worth north of $4 million last offseason. He needs to reestablish his value, and where better to do so than back home? The 6-foot-1, 201-pounder can play in the slot and outside, and he would be a nice fourth or fifth receiver on the roster.

Washington QB Taylor Heinicke – Photo by: USA Today

QB Taylor Heinicke — 1 year, $5 million

Heinicke may command more than $5 million on the market this offseason, but it’s hard to tell. He had an uneven tenure with Washington, but he showed enough promise to make himself an intriguing commodity this offseason. With the Commanders set to go all in on Sam Howell, I like Heinicke to compete with Kyle Trask for Tampa Bay’s starting QB job. If Trask wins it, Heinicke is a good backup. If Heinicke wins it, I think he has enough upside to help the Bucs compete, especially with a QB-friendly offense and plenty of weapons to work with.

K Eddy Pineiro — 1 year, $1.2 million

With the release of Ryan Succop, I need a replacement with both accuracy and range. Pineiro, a former Florida Gator, is the man I’m calling on to provide it. He made 33 of his 35 field goal attempts with the Panthers last year, going 2-of-2 from beyond 50 yards with a long of 54. Over his three-year career, he’s 5-of-5 from 50-plus yards and 64-of-71 (90.1%) overall.

Adams’ 2023 Bucs Draft Picks

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

If Todd Bowles was asked to create his ideal safety tandem, it would likely look something like Antoine Winfield Jr. and Brian Branch. The Alabama standout provides the type of versatility that Bowles loves, and with the head coach recently stating his goal to leave Winfield in one spot (free safety) as much as he possibly can, Branch is the perfect pick here. He can play the nickel cornerback position extremely well, plus he’s an excellent blitzer. It’s hard to watch Branch’s tape and not think, “Man, Bowles would love this kid.”

Branch’s numbers at the NFL Scouting Combine weren’t eye catching or anything, but this is one of those cases where the testing can’t be everything. His tape says it all. He can do anything and everything the Bucs will need him to do, and he could give Tampa Bay yet another young piece to build the secondary around. Look into the future and you see Winfield with a contract extension and Branch still on his rookie deal as the defensive backfield serves as a strength for this defense.

Round 2 – Kansas State EDGE Felix Anudike-Uzomah • 6-3, 255 • Junior

Anudike-Uzomah would be an absolute steal at No. 50. He’d give the Bucs a young pass rusher to work heavily into the rotation with Shaq Barrett and Joe Tryon-Shoyinka. Plus, he could be a potential replacement down the road for Barrett, or he can step right in for Tryon-Shoyinka if the team eventually moves on from him.

For now, though, he can bring his 19.5 sacks and eight forced fumbles over the last two years over to Tampa, where more sack production is needed off the edge and more turnovers are needed however the defense can get them. Anudike-Uzomah uses his length well and plays with excellent intensity. There’s so much to like about him, and it’s not hard to imagine new outside linebackers coach George Edwards bringing the best out of the former K-State Wildcat.

Round 3 – Michigan State WR Jayden Reed • 5-11, 187 • Senior

One of the standouts at wide receiver during Senior Bowl week, Reed infuses some youth into a Bucs’ receiving corps that is quietly aging (though, to be clear, showing no signs of it). The former Michigan State standout posted 636 yards and five touchdowns on 55 catches (11.6 avg.) as a senior. He actually had a better junior season in 2021, posting 59 catches for 1,026 yards (17.4 avg.) and 10 touchdowns.

With impressive quickness and yards after catch (YAC) ability, he would be a strong addition to Dave Canales’ offense, which is all about making life easy for the quarterback and letting playmakers make plays. Reed can be yet another one of those playmakers, working in behind Mike Evans, Chris Godwin and Russell Gage.

Round 4 (From Kansas City) – Texas RB Roschon Johnson • 6-0, 219 • Senior

Using the pick I got from the Chiefs in exchange for a 2024 third-rounder, I’m going with the other Texas Longhorns running back in this draft. Much has been made about Bijan Robinson being a generational talent, and he’s the reason Johnson has fallen under the radar. The bruising power back would be an excellent complement to Rachaad White, creating the type of 1-2 punch in the backfield that would make Dave Canales’ offense go and take a ton of pressure off the team’s new signal-caller. Johnson only had one career fumble while at Texas, which Canales and new running backs coach Skip Peete will love.

Johnson would’ve had a brighter spotlight on him if it weren’t for Robinson. But even serving as more of a No. 2 behind him, the 6-foot, 219-pounder put up steady production over his four-year college career. His yards-per-carry averages went 5.3, 5.2, 5.9 and 6.0 in his four seasons. A strong tackle-breaker, he is also more than capable as a pass protector, too. White is not one to shy away from competition for the RB1 role, but bringing Johnson in to pair with him would feel less like a contest and more like a perfect partnership.

Round 5 – Notre Dame IOL Jarrett Patterson • 6-5, 306 • Redshirt Senior

Patterson is an intriguing interior offensive line prospect who comes from a Fighting Irish program known for pumping out NFL linemen. His arm length is shorter than desired, but he makes up for that drawback with quick and accurate hand strikes.  When he connects on a block, the defender will typically find it extremely difficult to disengage from. There’s room to develop here for the former Notre Dame captain, but I don’t mind starting off Day 3 of the draft by getting him in the building.

A former teammate of Bucs interior offensive lineman Robert Hainsey at Notre Dame, Patterson has some versatility to his game that Tampa Bay would love to employ. With the core of the offensive line intact but some spots up for grabs, Patterson could find himself playing meaningful snaps right away. But he’s more likely to serve as key depth early on in his career before potentially assuming a starting job down the line.

Round 5 – Cincinnati TE Josh Whyle • 6-6, 248 • Redshirt Senior

With the release of Cameron Brate and by allowing Kyle Rudolph to walk in free agency, the tight end room has a hole to fill. The good news is, the 2023 tight end class is a deep one, and Whyle is a Day 3 pick who could have an impact for Tampa Bay right away. Smooth and athletic, the former Cincinnati Bearcat put together a strong career. The three-time all-conference selection broke Brent Celek’s program record for career receiving touchdowns by a tight end, plus he averaged 12.6, 12.8 and 10.2 yards per catch over the last three seasons, respectively.

There are plenty of tools to unlock with Whyle, and he has some room to grow as a blocker. Nonetheless, he adds another dynamic pass-catching option at the tight end position to pair well with Cade Otton while Ko Kieft continues to thrive in his role as a blocking specialist. With three Day 3 selections spent on tight ends in the last two drafts, the Bucs will have one of the youngest rooms in the league. But it’s a young room with great potential, especially after adding a receiving threat like Whyle. I’ll just politely ask him to never griddy again.

Round 6 – West Virginia DL Dante Stills • 6-3, 286 • Senior

Ideally, I’d be able to overhaul the defensive line with my Bucs Battle Plan. But there are simply too many needs across the board, so the goal here is to piece things together along the defensive line, make upgrades elsewhere and then revisit the unit next offseason. With that being said, adding Stills gives the group some much-needed youth and while he has some developing to do, he can still work into the rotation in year one. He’s quick and athletic, making him an instant fit in Todd Bowles’ defense.

Stills is a strong run defender (posting a 90.3 PFF run defense grade in 2022) who possesses some pass rushing chops as well. He totaled 23.5 sacks over five seasons at West Virginia, with two seven-sack seasons in his last four years. He rushes with impressive physicality to go along with his agility, and he is plenty disruptive in the run game. The former Mountaineer will need to add some weight to his frame at the next level, but he’d give the Bucs another young lineman to develop and build with going forward, especially as those one-year contracts for some of the veterans expire again next offseason.

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

If Lavonte David isn’t back in 2023, inside linebacker becomes a top need for Tampa Bay. But in my Bucs Battle Plan, I re-signed David and kept him in red, white and pewter for another two seasons. With that, though, I couldn’t pass up an exciting developmental prospect like Miller. The Jackson State star was one of the most fun watches at this year’s Senior Bowl, as he practiced with a level of intensity that made him stand out from others. He is an exceptional athlete with great speed, and it’s not difficult to picture him stepping right into a Todd Bowles defense whenever the need for a new inside linebacker arises.

For now, Miller would give the Bucs some upgraded depth at the linebacker position and help out on special teams. He’s a better athlete than K.J. Britt, who still provides value on special teams and knows the defense well enough to be my LB4. But Miller comes aboard as someone who can eventually blossom into a regular contributor. His production at Jackson State was plentiful, posting 109 tackles (53 solo), 11.5 tackles for loss, 6.5 sacks, a forced fumble and a fumble recovery in 2021 before totaling 117 tackles (64 solo), 12 tackles for loss, two sacks and five forced fumbles in 2022.

Round 7 – North Dakota State RB/FB Hunter Luepke • 6-1, 230 • Redshirt Senior

I was always enthralled by Bucs legend Mike Alstott growing up and adding a fullback/running back hybrid in the final round of the draft is too enticing to pass up. Luepke is versatile in that he can play the fullback position if needed, but he also has experience as a tailback. At North Dakota State, he rushed for 1,665 yards and 24 touchdowns over four seasons, averaging 6.1 yards per carry. He has some pass-catching ability too, hauling in 38 passes for 494 yards and another nine touchdowns in his collegiate career. The Wisconsin native can run, catch, block and play special teams, giving him immense value as a seventh-round pick.

My backfield already consists of Rachaad White, Ke’Shawn Vaughn and fourth-round selection Roschon Johnson, so adding Luepke rounds out a group that is well-rounded. The Bucs have to be better on the ground in 2023, and a new scheme paired with more carries for White should help. But an infusion of new talent in Johnson and Luepke would take it over the top.

Round 7 – Florida OT Richard Gouraige • 6-5, 306 • Redshirt Senior

Rounding out my draft, I’ll take a flier on Gouraige, the Florida offensive tackle who played his prep football at nearby Cambridge Christian. There’s a lot of versatility in Gouraige, and in the later rounds, versatility is value. Believed by many as a candidate to kick inside and play guard, he also has the hand placement, body control and smarts to overcome his arm length and give the right tackle position a go at the next level. Gouraige split time between tackle and guard in Gainesville, but he was a model of dependability as he logged 42 starts throughout his career.

The 6-foot-5, 306-pounder has solid instincts and showed some impressive pass blocking chops at Florida, and he put together a nice week for himself at the Senior Bowl as well. Given the state of Tampa Bay’s roster, I’m all about finding diamonds in the rough and whether he sticks at tackle or slides inside, there’s reason to believe Gouraige might be one of those seventh-round diamonds.

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

QUARTERBACKS – 3

Bucs QB Kyle Trask – Photo by: Cliff Welch/PR

Kyle Trask
Taylor Heinicke
Josh Johnson

Analysis: Trask will definitely have his chance to take the reins as QB1 here, but if he’s not quite ready, Heinicke can keep the team afloat. There are plenty of scenarios to consider, whether Trask later steps in for Heinicke or the former Commanders signal-caller is a true bridge to whoever the Bucs have at quarterback next year. Johnson is the ideal emergency QB3 back where it all started for him.

RUNNING BACKS – 4

Rachaad White
Roschon Johnson
Ke’Shawn Vaughn
Hunter Luepke

Analysis: This rebuilt running back room is exciting, to say the least. Out is Fournette and in at RB1 is White, while Johnson provides a bruising complement to the second-year back. Vaughn will mix in as the RB3, while Luepke can be a jack-of-all trades as a goal-line option, a pass-catching threat or a special teamer.

WIDE RECEIVERS – 7

Bucs WRs Chris Godwin and Mike Evans – Photo by: Cliff Welch/PR

Mike Evans
Chris Godwin
Russell Gage
Deven Thompkins
Byron Pringle
Jayden Reed
Justin Shorter

Analysis: Evans, Godwin and Gage continue to lead the way while Pringle and Reed jockey for the WR4/WR5 spots and the team continues to find out what it has in Thompkins. Justin Shorter cracks the 53-man roster as an undrafted free agent due to his potential to develop into a big-bodied deep threat with solid speed. It helps that he’s plenty familiar with Trask, too.

TIGHT ENDS – 3

Cade Otton
Josh Whyle
Ko Kieft

Analysis: Otton establishes himself as TE1 this offseason while Whyle provides another reliable pass-catching option at the tight end position. Kieft has a lot to offer as a blocker and an occasional receiver, allowing him to hang around as TE3.

OFFENSIVE LINEMEN – 10

Tristan Wirfs
Nick Leverett
Ryan Jensen
Shaq Mason
Luke Goedeke
Richard Gouraige
Brandon Walton
Robert Hainsey
Jarrett Patterson
John Molchon

Analysis: Things get interesting with the offensive line here, as Wirfs slides over to left tackle while Goedeke and Gouraige compete for the right tackle spot. Goedeke will have every chance to assume that role, but the plan is to ultimately find a long-term right tackle next offseason. Leverett and Mason occupy the guard positions while Jensen returns to anchor the line at center. Hainsey, Walton, Molchon and Patterson all offer impressive positional versatility (as does Gouraige), giving me options to work with.

DEFENSIVE LINEMEN – 6

Bucs DT Logan Hall – Photo by: Cliff Welch/PR

Vita Vea
Logan Hall
Rakeem Nunez-Roches
Will Gholston
Pat O’Connor
Dante Stills

Analysis: Vea has Pro Bowl potential as he anchors this group, with Hall needing to step it up and prove worthy of a starting spot at defensive end. The bet here is that Gholston has a bounce-back campaign and provides a reliable bridge to a new, younger starter next year. Nunez-Roches, O’Connor and the rookie Stills all have their strengths to offer as rotational pieces.

EDGE RUSHERS – 4

Shaq Barrett
Joe Tryon-Shoyinka
Felix Anudike-Uzomah
Carl Nassib

Analysis: Barrett and Tryon-Shoyinka are both question marks in one way or another, but there’s no reason to doubt the work ethic of either guy. Both will be doing everything they can this offseason to return to form (in Barrett’s case) or round into form (in Tryon-Shoyinka’s case). Anudike-Uzomah is an outstanding addition to the room and could make an impact as a rookie while Nassib continues to be a steadily productive presence in the rotation.

INSIDE LINEBACKERS – 4

Lavonte David
Devin White
Aubrey Miller Jr.
K.J. Britt

Analysis: Keeping David for another couple of years was one of the goals I had with my Bucs Battle Plan. He should be a one-team guy for the duration of his career, and a two-year deal should help. White gets an extension and will be tasked with living up to the big pay day, while Miller learns under the top two and prepares to step in as a potential starter in the future. Britt is a valuable special teamer who has a great knowledge of the defense and is a key part of that group.

CORNERBACKS – 5

Bucs CBs Sean Murphy-Bunting and Carlton Davis III – Photo by: Cliff Welch/PR

Carlton Davis III
Patrick Peterson 
Sean Murphy-Bunting
Zyon McCollum
Dee Delaney

Analysis: Davis has blossomed into a true CB1 who can hang with the best receivers. Adding Peterson as CB2/CB1A to fill the void left by Dean is a best-case scenario type of acquisition, as he still has a lot to give and can be a short-term solution. Murphy-Bunting and Delaney are both worthy depth corners who have a grasp on the defense, while McCollum still has the tools to develop into a potential starter in the future. I like this group.

SAFETIES – 4

Antoine Winfield Jr. 
Brian Branch
Logan Ryan
Nolan Turner

Analysis: Winfield and Branch are a dream safety tandem, as both possess impressive versatility as do-it-all types. Todd Bowles will have options as to how he wants to deploy them. Meanwhile, having Ryan back gives the group a veteran voice and an experienced talent who still has some playmaking ability in him. And then there’s Turner, who impressed during training camp last year, getting a chance to crack the roster as the No. 4 safety.

SPECIALISTS – 3

Eddy Pineiro
Jake Camarda
Zach Triner

Analysis: Pineiro replaces Succop and the hope is that he can offer the same level of accuracy (if not better) while giving the Bucs some more range to work with. Camarda had a good rookie season in 2022 and finding a consistent level in 2023 should be an attainable goal, while Triner returns and holds down the long-snapping duties.

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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