Table of Contents
About the Author: Bailey Adams
Latest Bucs Headlines
Current State Of The Bucs
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are coming off a season in which the team won a third straight NFC South championship in the second year of head coach Todd Bowles. The Bucs beat the Panthers in Week 18 to finish 9-8 and atop the division and won a home playoff game against the Eagles, which kept Bowles employed. Tampa Bay was tied with Detroit heading into the fourth quarter of the Divisional round of the playoffs before losing, but there is optimism that the Bucs can stay atop the NFC South if the team can retain its core free agents.
Pro Bowl wide receiver Mike Evans was re-signed for two more years, and the team used the franchise tag on All-Pro safety Antoine Winfield Jr. Next up is trying to get Pro Bowl quarterback Baker Mayfield under contract before the start of free agency, then re-signing linebacker Lavonte David and kicker Chase McLaughlin.
The Bucs currently have around $21 million in salary cap space after retaining Evans and Winfield, but assistant general manager Mike Greenberg can do some restructures to create more room as needed. Tampa Bay is saddled with close to $22 million in dead cap money, but that’s a far cry from last year when that figure was close to $80 million.
Bucs GM Jason Licht and head coach Todd Bowles – Photo by: Cliff Welch/PR
The Bucs have already announced that they’ll release 31-year old outside linebacker Shaq Barrett, and center Ryan Jensen, who suffered a career-ending knee injury two years ago, has announced his retirement. Tampa Bay is also expected to release oft-injured receiver Russell Gage to clear some cap room, and could do the same with cornerback Carlton Davis III if the team does not trade him.
Tampa Bay has 18 unrestricted free agents, but Mayfield, David, McLaughlin and long snapper Zach Triner are the only starters. As Pewter Report reported at midseason, the Bucs will not be re-signing inside linebacker Devin White, a former first-round pick, nor will Tampa Bay bring back safety Ryan Neal, who signed a one-year deal last offseason.
Bowles has had to make some changes on the coaching staff this offseason with offensive coordinator Dave Canales leaving to become the head coach of the Carolina Panthers. Offensive line coaches Harold Goodwin and Joe Gilbert joined Canales in Carolina, as did receivers coach Brad Idzik. Bucs special teams coach Keith Armstrong also retired and offensive assistant David Raih left for Washington.
Bowles hired Liam Coen to replace Canales, and added Thomas McGaughey as the new special teams coordinator. Kevin Carberry is the Bucs’ new offensive line coach with Brian Picucci as his assistant. Bryan McClendon is Tampa Bay’s new wide receivers coach, and Josh Grizzard has been hired to be the team’s passing game coordinator.
Explaining The Bucs Battle Plans For 2024
PewterReport.com writers Scott Reynolds, Matt Matera, Josh Queipo, Bailey Adams and Adam Slivon have devised their own Bucs Plans For the 2024 offseason. These come complete with their individualized free agent signings, trades, roster moves and draft picks to hopefully help Tampa Bay earn a playoff spot for the fifth straight year.
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.
Adams’ Bucs Battle Plan For The 2024 Offseason
Bucs FS Antoine Winfield Jr. – Photo by: Cliff Welch/PR
With my Bucs Battle Plan, the main objectives are to re-sign the five main free agents and then make some solid depth signings where needed. There aren’t really any splashy moves in this plan. I want to build out the bones of this roster and then have enough cap room to make more of a splash next offseason.
At the same time, this is a roster that won the NFC South again in 2023 and with the right moves, it could very well be the favorites to win it for a fourth straight year in 2024.
So, there are three goals with this plan: 1.) Keep the core of the division three-peat squad together to make another run at the wide-open NFC South; 2.) Build up depth so the roster is better equipped to compete in the playoffs once the division is secured; 3.) Nail the draft and secure some key pieces for the long-term while getting younger at key positions like offensive line, outside linebacker and elsewhere.
If all three of those goals are accomplished and the bigger, splashier moves are on the table for next March, I’ll feel good about the Bucs being in position to make a run toward the franchise’s third Lombardi Trophy in 2025 and beyond.
Bucs Restructures
NT Vita Vea – Vea is one of the key pieces of this Bucs defense, having anchored the defensive line since 2018. His sack totals have risen in recent years and alongside Calijah Kancey, he still has a lot of good football left in him. I’m restructuring his deal to free up $10,781,250 in cap space.
CB Jamel Dean – When healthy, Dean is as solid as they come. The health is the key factor, of course, and he doesn’t pick off many passes. So while he’s still my CB1 in this plan, I don’t want to fully restructure his deal and hinder future decisions that can be made about his contract. Restructuring some of his base salary to free up about $5 million will do.
Bucs Extensions
Bucs LT Tristan Wirfs – Photo by: USA Today
LT Tristan Wirfs – I could let Wirfs play out his fifth-year option season, but why should I? I know I want to ink him to a long-term, big-money deal, and the price tag is only going to go up. So it’s better to do it now in the form of a 5-year, $135 million contract that is extremely well deserved.
This extension can save about $8 million for the salary cap in 2023, but this contract is less about the savings and more about locking up a franchise cornerstone and one of the league’s elite left tackles for a long time to come.
Bucs Cuts
OLB Shaq Barrett – The Bucs have already announced that they’ll be releasing Barrett. The move will be processed as a post-June 1 transaction, so they’ll carry his $14,190,882 cap hit through that date before getting $4,923,882 in cap savings once the move is completed.
WR Russell Gage – It’s just time. Gage couldn’t stay healthy for much of his first season in Tampa Bay, then he unfortunately tore his ACL in training camp last summer. That cost him a chance at a bounce-back in 2023, and it just feels like there’s little upside in retaining him for 2024. Parting ways with Gage will net the Bucs just under $6.5 million.
C Ryan Jensen – Jensen is technically retired, but the team will process that paperwork as a post-June 1 move as well so that the dead cap hit is spread out over the next two years. This year, that means saving about $1.2 million.
Bucs Trades
CB Carlton Davis III – The injuries seem to pile up every year for Davis, and like Dean, he doesn’t pick off many passes either. With that being said, though, Davis still has some trade value and a deal could be on the table with a variety of teams, as other Bucs Battle Plans have shown. For mine, the PFF Mock Draft Simulator allowed me to trade Davis to Houston for a third-round pick (No. 85 overall, which previously belonged to Philadelphia) and a fourth-round pick (No. 128).
Unrestricted Free Agents Re-Signed
Bucs QB Baker Mayfield – Photo by: Cliff Welch/PR
QB Baker Mayfield – It’s important to bring Mayfield back after he very quickly won over the locker room and the Bucs fan base before putting together a career year in 2023. He gets a three-year, $96 million deal with $45 million guaranteed, and while the average per year will be $32 million, we’ll whittle down that Year 1 cap hit to around $8 million to allow for some breathing room.
WR Mike Evans – This is a deal that has already been announced, and I’ll gladly re-announce it in my Bucs Battle Plan. It’s a two-year, $41 million deal for Evans who will hit free agency again in 2026 and from then on, will hopefully keep signing 1-year pacts with the Bucs to be a one-team guy for his career.
FS Antoine Winfield Jr. – The Bucs have franchise tagged Winfield, but their goal is to get a multi-year extension done with the All-Pro safety. That’s my goal, too, and he gets a four-year, $84 million deal that keeps him in red, white and pewter through the 2027 season. This will be a Year 1 cap hit of around $8.25 million.
LB Lavonte David – Mr. Timeless is back, as David continues to cement his already-cemented legacy with Tampa Bay. A one-year, $8 million deal is more than worth it for a linebacker who hasn’t shown any signs of slowing down. It’ll be his age-34 season and very well could be his final year in the NFL, but there’s no way I’m letting him wear another uniform at any point ever.
Bucs K Chase McLaughlin – Photo by: USA Today
K Chase McLaughlin – McLaughlin was money in 2023, making the easy kicks while also giving the Bucs some range that proved extremely valuable. He gets a two-year, $9 million deal here with $7 million guaranteed. It can be structured with an out after 2024 just in case 2023 was more of the exception than the rule and he becomes less of the 93.5% field goal kicker he was last year and more of the 82.8% field goal kicker he’s been in his career.
QB John Wolford – Wolford has to be one of the best QB3s in the league, so bringing him back on a one-year, $1.125 million deal is a no-brainer. He was valuable last year given his experience with Dave Canales’ scheme, and he’s familiar with Liam Coen’s as well. That makes him the perfect guy to round out the quarterback room.
DL Greg Gaines – I think Gaines was a solid addition in 2023, and he’s a good guy to have for depth again in 2024. I’m bringing him back on another one-year, $2 million deal to back up Vita Vea on the interior of the defensive line.
OT Justin Skule – Cheap depth pieces who can be serviceable are always a plus, and that’s what Skule is as a swing tackle. He’s back on a one-year, $1.125 million deal.
Bucs RB Chase Edmonds – Photo by: USA Today
RB Chase Edmonds – Health was the big issue for Edmonds in 2023 and that’s been something of a problem throughout his career. But when he was on the field, he did some good things. He’s a good veteran to have in the running back room, as he’ll continue to be a helping hand for Rachaad White as well as a mentor to the rookie running back I’m adding through the draft. I’m not bringing Edmonds back to be my RB2, so I think a one-year, $1.125 million contract for a proven (and familiar) RB3 is plenty worth it.
DL Pat O’Connor – O’Connor has been a strong special teamer for years and has been a capable rotational piece on the defensive line when called upon. He gets a one-year, $1.125 million deal to remain a Buc.
LS Zach Triner – It’s always a plus when you don’t really notice your long snapper for years on end. That means he’s doing his job. Triner is an outstanding snapper, so he’s back on another one-year, $1.125 million deal.
Unrestricted Free Agents Not Re-Signed
WR David Moore – Moore was a pleasant surprise down the stretch last season and made some big-time plays, but there may not be a path forward for him as I look to retool my wide receiver room behind Mike Evans and Chris Godwin. Moore came to Tampa originally due to his familiarity with Dave Canales, so there’s a chance he ends up in Carolina this season.
OLB Cam Gill – Gill returned from injury in 2023 to provide some rotational pass rush ability, but his spot will go to Markees Watts in 2024. Nothing can take away the fact that Gill is a Super Bowl champion and that he registered a sack in that Super Bowl, though.
Bucs ILB Devin White – Photo by: Cliff Welch/PR
LB Devin White – White’s legacy in Tampa Bay is complicated. The No. 5 pick in the 2019 NFL Draft flashed as a rookie, then played a key part in the 2020 Super Bowl season. But rather than build off of that late-season form from the championship season, his play has declined ever since. A particularly bad contract year in 2023 doesn’t help his case, and it’s best to let him go try to reestablish his value elsewhere.
G Matt Feiler – Feiler was a stop-gap signing for the Bucs last offseason, but he wasn’t even that for a full season. He was replaced by Aaron Stinnie at left guard after an injury and never really re-assumed his spot. He’s another one-and-done in Tampa Bay.
DL Will Gholston – Gholston has had an outstanding run with the Bucs, and he may very well call it a career this offseason. If he does want to continue playing, though, it’ll have to be elsewhere as I simply don’t have the room for him on my roster as it stands right now. Of course, there’s always the chance of re-signing him on the eve of training camp if he wants to keep playing. That’s what happened a year ago.
G Aaron Stinnie – Stinnie has long been a reliable plug-and-play guard for the Bucs when he’s needed to be. He stepped in for Alex Cappa and played admirably during the Super Bowl run a few years ago and after he suffered a season-ending injury in the 2022 preseason, he came back in 2023 and ultimately replaced Matt Feiler at left guard. He’s serviceable, but he’s not the ideal starter for me and will likely look for a chance to start elsewhere
S Ryan Neal – I was one of the many who were ecstatic about the signing of Neal last offseason. That unfortunately means I am one of the many who were proven wrong for feeling that way, as the former Seahawk turned out to be a miss for Tampa Bay. He won’t be back, as the Bucs will look elsewhere for Antoine Winfield Jr.’s partner in the defensive backfield.
Restricted Free Agents Re-Signed
Bucs OL Nick Leverett – Photo by: USA Today
OL Nick Leverett – Leverett is a good depth piece to have, as he proved in 2022. He didn’t see action in 2023, but he’s cheap and reliable. He’s a good morale guy, too, as he’s always the one player waiting to greet his teammates as they run out of the tunnel for pregame warmups. That makes it an easy choice to bring him back in 2024.
Restricted Free Agents Not Re-Signed
DB Dee Delaney – It’s been a good run for Delaney as a do-it-all depth player in Todd Bowles’ defense, but this is the end of the line as I’m looking to rebuild the secondary and get younger at the cornerback/safety positions.
Exclusive Rights Free Agents Re-Signed
WR Deven Thompkins – The Bucs already announced the re-signing of Thompkins, who was an exclusive rights free agent. He served as the team’s kick returner and punt returner in 2023 and played sparingly on offense, but he may face long odds to retain his roster spot in my Bucs Battle Plan.
OT Brandon Walton – Walton was also an exclusive rights free agent who has already been re-signed. He’ll continue to be a good depth piece who can step in at tackle or guard in a pinch.
New Unrestricted Free Agents Signed
Lions WR Josh Reynolds – Photo by: USA Today
WR Josh Reynolds – 2 years, $11 million – Reynolds caught 40 passes for 608 yards and five touchdowns last season for the Lions, and the Bucs are plenty familiar with him given the fact that he caught a touchdown against them in the NFC Divisional Round.
The 29-year-old would instantly improve the depth of the Tampa Bay receiving corps, and the two-year deal allows for some cover should Chris Godwin not return in 2025. At the very least, Reynolds is a proven receiver and good blocker who can be a WR3 if needed and an overqualified WR4 or WR5 if everything breaks the right way.
TE Gerald Everett – 1 year, $5.5 million – Tampa Bay’s tight end room needs a veteran presence, and that’s what Everett could bring in 2024. There’s also the fact that he has experience with offensive coordinator Liam Coen from his time with the Rams, so that helps. Everett would be a steadying presence alongside Cade Otton and the rookie tight end I will be drafting.
C Brian Allen – 1 year, $3 million – This is one of those that just makes a lot of sense from a Bucs standpoint. Allen played under Liam Coen in Los Angeles and while he may have an injury history, Robert Hainsey would be more than capable of stepping in as his replacement if needed. There’s not a lot of risk here, as a healthy Allen gives Tampa Bay an improvement at center and in the event of an injury, the Bucs know what they have in Hainsey as a backup.
Dolphins OLB Andrew Van Ginkel – Photo by: USA Today
EDGE Andrew Van Ginkel – 2 years, $15 million – The Bucs need an alpha edge rusher, but they’re not necessarily in a spot where they can acquire a proven one this offseason. Picking so late in the first round makes it a question mark, and the cap situation means they’re out of the running for the high-end rushers.
But Van Ginkel is plenty capable of stepping in to fill the void in the meantime. He registered six sacks this past season and would give the outside linebacker room a higher floor, working in conjunction with Yaya Diaby, Joe Tryon-Shoyinka, Markees Watts and a player to be drafted later. That group can take the pass rush to a higher level and then perhaps that proven alpha-type edge rusher can be found next offseason.
CB Keisean Nixon – 2 years, $8 million – Nixon is a depth piece for the secondary who can play in the slot when needed, but he also adds a ton of value as a two-time first-team All-Pro as a returner. That’s an element of the game that the Bucs could not be more of a stranger to. They’ve been subpar on special teams for years under Keith Armstrong, so what better way to really revamp that part of the game than by bringing in Nixon under new special teams coordinator Thomas McGaughey? The fact that Nixon can fill out the secondary depth and make that position group younger in the process is a bonus, too.
Texans LB Blake Cashman Photo by: USA Today
LB Blake Cashman – 2 years, $8.5 million – Cashman would be an excellent addition to play alongside Lavonte David in 2024. The team may want to give K.J. Britt a chance to build on his late-season success, but I’m more inclined to go with someone who is more of a sure thing. Cashman had an 82.1 overall grade from PFF last year, ranking him 15th in the league among linebackers. He also received the 14th-best run defense grade and the 12th-best coverage grade while ranking in the top 25 for tackling and pass rush grades.
Cashman has five sacks and 19 pressures over the last two seasons, and the fact that he’s such an assignment-sound, sure tackler makes him an upgrade over Devin White. Signing him to a two-year deal means still having one inside linebacker in place for 2025 should David call it a career after this season.
S Jordan Fuller – 2 years, $12 million – Fuller is a great option to step in and play alongside Antoine Winfield Jr. A sure tackler and a safety who can make plays on the ball in coverage is already an upgrade over who played alongside Winfield last year. Fuller had 94 tackles, three interceptions and three forced fumbles for the Rams in 2023 and would be an easy plug-and-play starter for the next couple of years in Tampa Bay.
Adams’ 2024 Bucs Draft Picks
Bucs GM Jason Licht – Photo by: Matt Matera/PR
Like others have before me, I used the Pro Football Focus mock draft simulator to help construct my draft. I have 10 picks in the 2024 Draft thanks to the extra two I picked up from trading Carlton Davis to Houston and the compensatory sixth-round pick awarded by the NFL on Friday.
I filled a lot of needs through the draft, both for the short-term and long-term. I let things play out without any additional trades and made my picks based on however the board fell. It may not have entirely been a “best player available” strategy, but that’s largely the approach I took as I see plenty of long-term needs all over the roster.
Round 1, Pick 26: LSU WR Brian Thomas Jr.
As much as I was tempted to continue building the trenches with my first-round pick, I felt that there would be more opportunities to do so later in the draft thanks to the picks I secured in the Davis trade. That led me to draft Brian Thomas Jr., the sensational wide receiver out of LSU. Last year, Thomas caught 68 of his 87 targets for 1,177 yards and 17 touchdowns. When you put on his tape, you’ll see incredible deep speed but you’ll also see him gain separation on intermediate routes and make some contested catches.
Thomas offers a combination of size and speed that would give quarterback Baker Mayfield and the Tampa Bay offense yet another weapon to deploy. In the short-term, he’d be an excellent WR3 behind Mike Evans and Chris Godwin, which would allow Josh Reynolds, Trey Palmer and Rakim Jarrett to round out quite the wide receiver room, one that is fully replenished after a couple of years that saw Evans and Godwin as the only proven targets. Thomas could also be the starting point of retooling the receiving corps for the long-term, as Evans is 31 and potentially nearing the end of his career while Godwin is entering a contract year.
Round 2, Pick 58: Western Michigan EDGE Marshawn Kneeland
I mentioned earlier that the Bucs aren’t in the best position to find an “alpha” edge rusher this year. But drafting Kneeland in the second round gives me a chance to strike gold with a potential alpha-type. At the very least, I’ve secured another young pass rusher who will raise the level of talent within the outside linebacker room long-term. A four-man rotation of Yaya Diaby, Andrew Van Ginkel, Anthony Nelson and Kneeland is strong enough to expect an improved pass rush in 2024, and that’s without adding Joe Tryon-Shoyinka and Markees Watts into the mix.
Kneeland was one of the standouts at this year’s Senior Bowl, and we know how much Jason Licht and the Bucs love drafting Senior Bowl alums. The 6-foot-3, 275-pound Western Michigan product earned an 89.7 overall grade from PFF last season, a season in which he racked up 4.5 sacks and 28 hurries while putting his impressive strength, physicality and bend on display. There’s versatility here with the 22-year-old, too, and he’s someone who would seamlessly fit in with Todd Bowles’ scheme.
Round 3, Pick 85 (From HOU): South Dakota State G Mason McCormick
The gamble of not taking an interior offensive lineman in Round 1 pays off here as I’m able to select McCormick, a versatile lineman out of South Dakota State. There aren’t many tendencies that Jason Licht is associated with more than drafting linemen from smaller schools, and McCormick fits the mold. Not only that, but as a three-year captain, he fits the mold for the type of character that the Bucs love. He’s also a player who finishes, showing the type of aggression that could help the perennially frustrating Tampa Bay run game.
McCormick would be a plug-and-play at left guard, giving the Bucs a four-year answer at the spot next to left tackle Tristan Wirfs. Over 1,256 pass blocking snaps in the last three years, the South Dakota State product allowed just two sacks (both in 2022) and only 16 hurries. So in addition to his run blocking prowess, he holds up well in pass protection as well. There will be a transition to the NFL level like there has been for the likes of Cody Mauch and Alex Cappa before him, but the 6-foot-5, 315-pounder will prove himself before long.
Round 3, Pick 89: USC RB MarShawn Lloyd
As tempted as I was to reunite Kentucky running back Ray Davis with offensive coordinator Liam Coen, I opted to go with Lloyd out of USC to complement Rachaad White for the foreseeable future. Lloyd has burst and is a smooth runner, changing directions so easily. Plus, the fact that he has proven to be a reliable pass protector will give him a path to making an impact early in his career.
Lloyd averaged 5.2 yards per carry in 2022 on his way to a 573-yard, nine-touchdown season. He topped that in 2023 by averaging 7.1 yards per carry as part of an 820-yard, nine-touchdown campaign for the Trojans. There’s some receiving ability here, too, has he only caught 13 passes last season but totaled 232 yards on those receptions — a 17.8-yard average.
Round 4, Pick 127: Kansas State TE Ben Sinnott
My attempt to completely rebuild the Bucs’ tight end room this offseason culminates here with the selection of Sinnott, who was an absolute force over his final two seasons at Kansas State. He caught 31 passes for 447 yards (14.4 avg.) and four touchdowns in 2022 before posting 49 catches for 676 yards (13.8 avg.) and six touchdowns this past season.
Sinnott is a really good pass-catcher, but he’s also a strong blocker. That puts him in position to almost instantly become Tampa Bay’s TE1, which would move Cade Otton into a TE2 role that he’s well suited for. Sinnott can also line up at fullback, which is something that could be put to great use in Liam Coen’s offense.
Round 4, Pick 128 (From HOU): Texas A&M DL McKinnley Jackson
The defensive line is ultimately set with Vita Vea, Calijah Kancey and Logan Hall. But spending a fourth-round pick on Jackson gives the room some depth — and young depth, at that. The Texas A&M product often drew double teams during his time in college because of his ability to win one-on-ones with his explosiveness. There’s a lot of upside here for a later Day 2 pick.
Jackson is compact at 6-foot-2, 325 pounds, but he displays good agility and burst off the snap. He’s very good against the run and while he has room to grow as a pass rusher, he has shown glimpses of pass rush chops. He totaled 55 pressures over his four-year career at Texas A&M.
Round 6, Pick 204: Air Force S Trey Taylor
Finally back on the clock after not having a fifth-round selection, I spent my first sixth-rounder on a thumping safety in Taylor. The Air Force alum won the 2023 Jim Thorpe Award and is an all-around well-built athlete. He moves well and has enough hip fluidity to cover tight ends and run with anyone.
The cousin of Pro Football Hall of Famer Ed Reed, Taylor has the type of leadership ability and character that the Bucs look for. He also has some ball skills to go along with his physicality and linebacker-like mentality when it comes to flying to ball carriers. He mentioned Tampa Bay as one of the meetings that stuck out to him the most at the Shrine Bowl, and he’d be a good developmental safety to get in the room with Antoine Winfield Jr., Jordan Fuller and Kaevon Merriweather.
Round 6, Pick 220: South Carolina CB Marcellas Dial
At 6-foot, 195 pounds, Dial is athletic enough and tough enough to be a good cover corner in the NFL. There are some technique flaws that he’ll need to improve upon, but his physicality and recovery are pluses. Over his three years at South Carolina, Dial had just three interceptions but did total 28 passes defensed.
Dial wouldn’t need to be a ready-made cornerback for the Bucs, as they have Jamel Dean and Zyon McCollum to start on the outside and Christian Izien to start at nickel. They’d also have Keisean Nixon for the next two years in this battle plan, so there’s no need for a sixth-round pick to be ready to go right away. But in time, Dial could prove to be a capable player.
Round 7, Pick 244: Kentucky LB Trevin Wallace
I’m not big on this year’s linebacker draft class, but Wallace is one of the few players who stands out as someone to take a chance on. He showed an ability to rush the passer last season at Kentucky with 5.5 sacks to go along with his 80 tackles. He ran a 4.51 40-yard dash at the NFL Combine and at 6-foot-1, 237 pounds, he has the build of an NFL linebacker.
Wallace’s issue has been with consistency, as there have been times when he’s flashed all the right traits but others when he’s failed to put them all together. Physically, it’s all there, but the mental side of the game is where he’ll look to improve the most. That may mean some time on the practice squad to begin his NFL career, but as a late-Day 3 pick, he’s worth a shot.
Adams’ “Way Too Early” Bucs 53-Man Roster Projection
QUARTERBACKS – 2
Bucs QB Baker Mayfield – Photo by: USA Today
Baker Mayfield
Kyle Trask
Analysis: Mayfield is back for another year as the Bucs’ starting quarterback, this time with some more security. Trask is back to back him up in a contract year, while I’ll gamble and break camp with John Wolford on the practice squad. Should I need to add him to the active roster to keep him, I’ll make a cut elsewhere. Once Trask is a free agent next season, that’s when I’d try to find the quarterback of the future to initially back up Mayfield and eventually take over for him.
WIDE RECEIVERS – 6
LSU WR Brian Thomas Jr. Photo by: USA Today
Mike Evans
Chris Godwin
Brian Thomas Jr.
Josh Reynolds
Trey Palmer
Rakim Jarrett
Analysis: The duo of Evans and Godwin stays together atop the depth chart, but there’s now more help behind them. Thomas is an electrifying playmaker who gives Mayfield another high-caliber option, plus he could find himself with a bigger role should Godwin not return in 2025. Not to mention, Reynolds is a reliable target who can help bridge the gap until the Bucs find another high-end target to lead the room forward with Thomas as Evans gets up there in age.
TIGHT ENDS – 3
Cade Otton
Gerald Everett
Ben Sinnott
Analysis: This room looks much different than it has in the last couple of years, with Otton as the only holdover. Ko Kieft doesn’t offer much other than blocking and I didn’t see enough from Payne Durham in 2023 to have him occupy a roster spot. Instead, I have both Otton and Everett to lead the way until Sinnott inevitably assumes the TE1 role. This is a group with a lot of pass-catching prowess, while Sinnott is likely the best blocker of the group.
OFFENSIVE LINEMEN – 9
Former Rams C Brian Allen Photo by: USA Today
Tristan Wirfs
Mason McCormick
Brian Allen
Cody Mauch
Luke Goedeke
Robert Hainsey
Brandon Walton
Nick Leverett
Justin Skule
Analysis: Wirfs is locked in as the Bucs’ long-term left tackle, and McCormick slides in next to him as the starting left guard for the next four years. Meanwhile, Tampa Bay upgrades at center with Allen while retaining Hainsey as a serviceable backup. There’s familiar depth here, too, in the form of Walton, Leverett and Skule.
DEFENSIVE LINEMEN – 6
Vita Vea
Calijah Kancey
Logan Hall
Pat O’Connor
McKinnley Jackson
Greg Gaines
Analysis: This is the year for Logan Hall to really take a step forward, otherwise the Bucs are heading into 2025 with defensive line being a major need. Kancey can be expected to be even better with a full training camp and preseason, while Vea will still be Vea. Jackson is an intriguing add in the draft, while the team knows what it has in Gaines and O’Connor.
OUTSIDE LINEBACKERS – 6
Bucs OLB Yaya Diaby – Photo by: Cliff Welch P/R
Yaya Diaby
Andrew Van Ginkel
Marshawn Kneeland
Anthony Nelson
Joe Tryon-Shoyinka
Markees Watts
Analysis: This position group may still lack that true No. 1 guy, but the floor should be elevated with the additions of Van Ginkel and Kneeland. With Van Ginkel, he’s a guy who will get the chance to prove he’s ready to be a top-1 or top-2 option, while Kneeland can have some time to establish himself. Diaby gets a chance to really cement himself in a starting role as well. There’s enough flexibility here to go through 2024 with this group and then hope to find the badly needed alpha edge rusher next offseason when there’s more cap room to do so.
INSIDE LINEBACKERS – 4
Lavonte David
Blake Cashman
K.J. Britt
SirVocea Dennis
Analysis: With the addition of Cashman, there’s no need to test whether Britt truly is a starting-caliber NFL linebacker on a week-in, week-out basis. Instead, the team has a proven duo of David and Cashman and proven depth in Britt behind them. The interesting one here is Dennis, as he’ll need to take a step up in 2024 to put himself in position to potentially replace David in the future.
CORNERBACKS – 6
Bucs CB Zyon McCollum Photo By: Cliff Welch P/R
Jamel Dean
Zyon McCollum
Christian Izien
Keisean Nixon
Josh Hayes
Marcellas Dial
Analysis: By trading Carlton Davis III, I opened up a real prove-it year for McCollum. He’ll get a shot to be a starting outside cornerback and if he’s not up to where he needs to be considering he’s in year three, cornerback becomes a need for 2025. But there’s added depth here in Nixon and Dial, and it’s younger depth as well. Nixon also gives the special teams units some juice as a returner.
SAFETIES – 4
Antoine Winfield Jr.
Jordan Fuller
Kaevon Merriweather
Trey Taylor
Analysis: Winfield and Fuller would make up one of the more exceptional safety duos in the league, while Merriweather and Taylor continue to develop behind them. The multi-year deal for Fuller provides cover going into 2025 as the Bucs can feel confident in their starting duo while potentially looking for another safety in the earlier rounds of the 2025 Draft if Merriweather and Taylor don’t look like future starters.
SPECIALISTS – 3
Chase McLaughlin
Jake Camarda
Zach Triner
Analysis: Why mess with a good thing? This is a strong trio, and it certainly hasn’t been the root of Tampa Bay’s special teams issues. The hope is that McLaughlin stays money, Camarda finds some consistency and Triner stays his reliable self while new special teams coordinator Thomas McGaughey works out the issues with the other aspects of the return and coverage units.
What Did You Think?
Did you like my Bucs Battle Plan for the 2024 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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