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.

Reynolds’ Bucs Battle Plan For The 2024 Offseason

Duke OL Graham Barton – Photo by: USA Today

If the Falcons get the right quarterback this offseason they could become serious contenders in the NFC South while New Orleans might be taking a step back this year as the Saints get older and continue to be choked by bad salary cap decisions from years ago. Carolina is years away from contending, but Tampa Bay needs to continue to build through the draft and add some key free agents to the mix in order to maintain NFC South supremacy. And that’s exactly what my Bucs Battle Plan does.

Finding star players who will play on cheap rookie deals for four years was a key catalyst to the team’s success in 2020 when the Bucs won the Super Bowl. For every highly paid free agent or trade import like Tom Brady, Rob Gronkowski, Ryan Jensen, Jason Pierre-Paul and Shaq Barrett on that Super Bowl team, there were also young players on rookie deals like Antoine Winfield Jr., Tristan Wirfs, Jamel Dean, Carlton Davis III, Devin White and Vita Vea. Plus there were a couple of value free agent signings in Leonard Fournette and Antonio Brown that also contributed big time.

I’m going to follow that script to continue to build a team that will be competing for a Super Bowl in 2025 – and I’m not going to use all of the available cap room this year so I can roll some over into 2025 to have extra absorbency for more dead cap hits next year. I want the Bucs to be able to really spend and make a Super Bowl push two years from now with as little dead cap money as possible, so I might roll at least $5 million of unused cap space into the following year to increase Tampa Bay’s 2025 cap.

Bucs Restructures

Bucs NT Vita Vea – Photo by: Cliff Welch/PR

NT Vita Vea – Vea is still a dominant player up front, even if his sack number last year dipped. With a $15.5 million base salary and a cap hit over $20 million, I’ll restructure his deal to clear $10,781,250 in cap room.

CB Jamel Dean – Dean played well when he was healthy and he has three years left on his contract. I like Josh Queipo’s idea of partially restructuring some of his base salary ($7,000,000) to create just over $5 million in cap space.

Bucs Cuts

OLB Shaq Barrett – The Bucs have already announced this move is coming and Barrett will be a post-June 1 designation. That means Tampa Bay must carry his $14,190,882 salary cap hit through that date but the team will receive $4,923,882 in cap savings later this summer for 2024.

WR Russell Gage – I was not a big fan of the Gage signing and he had an oft-injured two years in Tampa Bay – the last of which was spent on injured reserve. The Bucs will save a little bit less than $6.5 million in cap savings.

C Ryan Jensen – Jensen has officially retired, but the team won’t process the paperwork until after June 1 so that his dead cap hit can be spread out over the 2024 and 2025 seasons. The Bucs will clear $1.2 million in cap room later this summer.

Bucs Trades

CB Carlton Davis III – I traded the oft-injured Davis to the cornerback-needy Cardinals, who have 13 draft picks this year. The Pro Football Focus mock draft simulator allowed me to pick up a third-rounder (No. 71) and a fifth-rounder (No. 137) for Davis, who is entering a contract year making $14 million in base salary. The Bucs need a cornerback that can pick off more passes, and this move clears $6.3 million in cap room.

Bucs C Robert Hainsey – Photo by: USA Today

OLB Joe Tryon-Shoyinka – It’s time to turn the page on Tryon-Shoyinka, who has not been worth a first-round pick and is entering a contract year. I was hoping to get a third-round pick for the young, athletic edge rusher, who likely won’t be back in Tampa Bay in 2025, but the PFF mock simulator allowed me to get a high second-round pick (No. 36) from Washington.

The Commanders desperately need pass rushers and JTS is a cheap option at $2,183,352 in base salary. The move frees up a roster spot for another young edge rusher, as well as $480,337 worth of cap space.

C Robert Hainsey – It’s time to move on from Hainsey, who is entering a contract year. With the Titans moving on from starting center Aaron Brewer, the PFF mock draft simulator allowed me to trade Hainsey to Tennessee for a third-round pick (No. 107). Considering he was a third-round pick to begin with and has been an average two-year starter, this is another coup for me and the Bucs. Parting ways with Hainsey clears $3.116 million in cap space.

Unrestricted Free Agents Re-Signed

QB Baker Mayfield – 3 years, $99 million – Mayfield comes back to the Bucs on a three-year deal worth $33 million per season. It’s a fair deal for both sides and will allow Mayfield the chance to hit free agency again at age 32 for the 2027 season. Tampa Bay can essentially walk away from this deal after two years if the team wishes as the first two years are guaranteed. Mayfield will hit the 2024 cap for about $18 million.

WR Mike Evans – 2 years, $41 million – Evans was re-signed to a two-year extension and it was a win-win deal for both sides and allows him to retire as a Buccaneer if he wants to call it a career at the age of 33. Evans’ 2024 cap charge should be $5.568 million.

S Antoine Winfield Jr – 5 years, $100 million – Winfield is coming off an All-Pro season and will reset the market at $20 million per season. The do-it-all safety is the ultimate chess piece for Todd Bowles’ defense and he’s locked up through the age of 30. Winfield’s 2024 cap hit would be $7.5 million.

Bucs ILB Lavonte David – Photo by: USA Today

LB Lavonte David – 1 year, $8 million – David continues to play at a high level and he shows no signs of slowing down at age 34. He’ll sign one more one-year deal to return to the Bucs with a bit of a well-deserved pay raise. David’s 2024 salary cap hit will be just over $4.2 million.

K Chase McLaughlin – 2 years, $9 million – McLaughlin had the best season ever by a Tampa Bay kicker, hitting over 92% of his field goals and all of his extra points. Retaining him for $4.5 million per year with a cap hit of $4.25 million in 2024 seems reasonable.

NT Greg Gaines – 1 year, $2.25 million Gaines was an even better backup to Vita Vea than Rakeem Nunez-Roches was, and brought better pass-rushing ability. Gaines’ 2024 cap hit would be $2.250 million.

OT Justin Skule – 1 year, $1.125 million – Skule proved to be just as good – if not better – than Josh Wells. He’s a valuable reserve swing tackle and his 2024 cap hit would be $1.125 million.

DT Pat O’Connor – 1 year, $1.125 million – O’Connor is a quality reserve along the defensive line and an ace special teams player. His 2024 cap hit would be $1,125,000.

Unrestricted Free Agents Not Re-Signed

Bucs ILB Devin White – Photo by: USA Today

LB Devin White – Bye, Devin. Go cash your money elsewhere. White’s ego and inconsistency self-sabotaged his final two seasons in Tampa Bay.

S Ryan Neal – Neal was a liability in coverage. While there was excitement over his signing initially, we quickly found out there was a reason why Seattle moved on from him.

G Matt Feiler – Feiler is an aging and ineffective offensive lineman at this stage of his career. The Bucs need a serious upgrade at left guard.

G Aaron Stinnie – Stinnie was just okay as a starter replacing Feiler, but the Bucs can do much better at left guard this season.

DL Will Gholston – As much as I would love to see Gholston return for one more season in Tampa Bay, he’s losing to Father Time and turns 33 this year.

RB Chase Edmonds – The oft-injured Edmonds flashed at times, but the Bucs need a better and more consistent backup to Rachaad White.

LS Zach Triner – Triner has been a very solid snapper for Tampa Bay for years, but he’s getting older and more expensive.

OLB Cam Gill – Gill is average at best as an edge rusher and has had years to show he could be more than he is, but hasn’t really leveled up.

Restricted Free Agents Re-Signed

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

OL Nick Leverett – 1 year, $1.125 million Leverett returns to provide depth at guard and center in Tampa Bay. Leverett’s lack of playing time last year means that the use of the restricted free agent tender (the lowest tier – right of first refusal comes in at $2,985,000) is not necessary.

Restricted Free Agents Not Re-Signed

CB Dee Delaney – Delaney is 29 and the Bucs can get younger and better at the cornerback position this year.

Exclusive Rights Free Agents Re-Signed

WR Deven Thompkins – The Bucs re-signed Thompkins to a one-year, $980,000 deal, but he faces an uphill battle to make the 53-man roster this year.

OT Brandon Walton – Tampa Bay re-signed Walton to a one-year, $980,000 contract and he has a chance to stick as a backup tackle and guard.

New Unrestricted Free Agents Signed

S Justin Simmons – 2 years, $32 million – The Bucs will make one splash free agent signing this offseason, and it’s the 6-foot-2, 202-pound Simmons, who was just released by Denver. The 30-year-old safety is better playing centerfield, but his addition will make Antoine Winfield Jr. even more effective in the box as a blitzer and in run support. Simmons will still command a big contract. But at $16 million per year, the Bucs are getting a steady playmaker who has 30 interceptions over his career with no fewer than three in any season over the last six years.

Titans C Aaron Brewer – Photo by: USA Today

C Aaron Brewer – 3 years, $18.6 million – Tampa Bay moves on from Robert Hainsey and replaces him with the smallish (6-1, 295) but stout and athletic Brewer, who paved the way for Derrick Henry in Tennessee. Brewer is strong and built like a bulldog. He’s a tenacious run blocker and an improving pass protector. Brewer is a hard worker and at $6.2 million per year, he’s a bargain at center.

OLB Andrew Van Ginkel – 1 year, $5 million – I was tempted to go big-game hunting at edge rusher, but Tampa Bay’s secondary needs more interceptions and so I spent big money on safety Justin Simmons instead. Signing Miami’s Van Ginkel to a one-year, prove-it deal a la Shaq Barrett in 2019 could yield big dividends.

The high-motor Van Ginkel (6-4, 242) was actually Pro Football Focus’ seventh-rated edge rusher last year. The 28-year-old had a career-high six sacks and eight pass breakups in addition to a pick-six for the Dolphins. He can drop in coverage or rush the passer with ease, making him a perfect scheme fit for Todd Bowles.

TE Gerald Everett – 1 year, $5 million – Everett turns 30 this year, but he’s still a very effective receiving tight end and has experience in the Rams offense from his days in L.A. from 2017-20. At 6-foot-3, 250 pounds, Everett is just an okay blocker, but he brings some veteran experience to a very young tight end room that could use it.

RB Gus Edwards – 2 years, $6 million – Edwards is a big-bodied (6-1, 238) runner with good tackle-breaking ability and elusiveness. At age 28 he still has miles left on his tires and can help the Bucs in short-yardage and goal-line situations. He’s coming off a career year with 810 rushing yards and 13 rushing touchdowns while averaging 4.1 yards per carry.

ILB Tyrel Dodson – 1 year, $3 million – Dodson (6-0, 237) filled in admirably for Matt Milano in Buffalo over the second half of the 2023 season. In his 10 starts for the Bills, Dodson recorded 74 tackles, eight tackles for loss and 2.5 sacks with a forced fumble and a fumble recovery. His 90.2 PFF grade was actually the best among all linebackers. The 25-year-old inside linebacker great in coverage and worth a one-year, prove-it deal to see if he can be the long-term replacement for Devin White.

C Brian Allen – 1 year, $2.75 million – Allen has only played in 12 games over the past two years for the Rams due to injury. But he has experience in Liam Coen’s offense, which is a plus, and would compete with Aaron Brewer for the right to start at center and replace Robert Hainsey.

Reynolds’ 2024 Draft Picks

Bucs head coach Todd Bowles and director of player personnel Mike Biehl – Photo by: Cliff Welch/PR

Like Josh Queipo, I used the Pro Football Focus mock draft simulator to help construct my draft. The PFF mock draft simulator has some flaws, but it’s better than most. I’m armed with 11 draft picks due to trading away cornerback Carlton Davis III, center Robert Hainsey and outside linebacker Joe Tryon-Shoyinka, so I’m ready to continue to build this team through the draft.

I see no need to trade up or down within the draft as I was able to secure the players I want in the appropriate rounds. As Bucs general manager Jason Licht has in recent years, I continue to mine the Senior Bowl for talent. After the Bucs drafted five Senior Bowl participants in each of the last two drafts, I drafted seven Senior Bowl players – eight if you consider that Duke offensive lineman Graham Barton had to withdraw due to injury.

The emphasis early is on the offense. If Baker Mayfield is going to get paid in free agency, I’m going to make sure he is protected upfront and has even more weapons at his disposal in 2024. For the Bucs to win more games and go deeper in the playoffs Tampa Bay has to average more than 21 points per game. Mission accomplished after this sensational draft haul.

Round 1 – Duke G Graham Barton • 6-5, 315 • Senior

Jason Licht has made a habit of drafting athletic college left tackles and moving them inside. He’s done that successfully with Ali Marpet, Alex Cappa and Cody Mauch. I’ll continue that strategy with the selection of Barton, who played at center during his freshman year and then had three outstanding seasons at left tackle at Duke.
Barton, who was Pewter Report’s first-round pick in its mock draft back in February, is a technician who has tremendous grip strength and a highly competitive attitude.
He’s a finisher and his play style is very reminiscent of Marpet, who had a great career in Tampa Bay.

Barton is a plug-and-play starter at left guard, where he should make a seamless transition after playing so much left tackle. He had some epic battles with Florida State edge rusher Jared Verse this past season and held him without a sack. The athletic Barton can make sustained blocks at the second level and brings added value as someone capable of playing center.

Round 2 – (from Washington) Alabama OLB Chris Braswell • 6-3, 251 • Senior

The Bucs could use another young edge rusher to replace Joe Tryon-Shoyinka and develop alongside YaYa Diaby. Braswell has good speed off the edge, running a 4.6 in the 40-yard dash at the NFL Scouting Combine with an impressive 1.59 10-yard split. He used that quick get-off to record eight sacks this season playing opposite Dallas Turner at Alabama, in addition to notching 10.5 tackles for loss and three forced fumbles. Braswell had to wait his turn and bide his time behind Will Anderson Jr. for a few years but came on during his senior year when he became a full-time starter.

Braswell, who has impressive speed-to-power, used his athleticism to not only return an interception for a touchdown but also block a punt and a field goal for the Crimson Tide. He’s not a finished product and probably not a day-one starter, but he could split time in a rotation with Diaby, Andrew Van Ginkel, Markees Watts and Anthony Nelson and help rush the passer while he develops.

Round 2 – South Carolina WR Xavier Legette • 6-1, 221 • Senior

The Bucs could use another big-bodied receiver to groom behind Mike Evans as his eventual replacement, and Legette plays even bigger than his 6-foot-1, 221-pound frame suggests. He’s got blazing speed for a big receiver, running a 4.39 at the NFL Scouting Combine and posting an impressive 40-inch vertical. Legette is one of the best-contested catch receivers in this draft class with an impressive 47.6% contested catch win rate.

He’s a bit of a late bloomer and a one-year wonder, exploding for 71 catches for 1,255 yards (17.7 avg.) and seven touchdowns in 2023. Legette only dropped two passes last year and used his breakaway speed to rack up yards after catch. The South Carolina star caught 13 deep balls last year, which was tied for 15th nationally. The opportunity to learn under Evans’ tutelage for the next two years should take Legette’s game to a whole new level as he contends for the Bucs’ WR3 role as a rookie.

Round 3 – (from Arizona) Western Kentucky WR Malachi Corley • 5-11, 215 • Senior

After drafting Xavier Legette in the second round, I bolster the Bucs’ receiving corps with the selection of Corley near the top of the third round. The 31-year-old Mike Evans is only signed for two more years and Chris Godwin is entering a contract year at age 28. Corley, who is built like a running back and is a yards-after-catch specialist in the mold of Deebo Samuel, would be an ideal replacement for Godwin and will have a year to learn from him in Tampa Bay.

Corley is a highly competitive player who was used a bunch on wide receiver screens where his vision, open-field running ability and tackle-breaking prowess were used to catch 101 passes for 1,295 yards (12.8 avg.) and 11 touchdowns in 2022. His production slipped a bit last year, but he still had 79 catches for 984 yards (12.5 avg.) and scored 11 more TDs. Corley is an ideal NFL slot receiver due to his strength, size and quickness, and he should thrive across the middle in Liam Coen’s offense where he’ll compete for WR3 duties as a rookie.

Round 3 – South Carolina RB Marshawn Lloyd • 5-9, 220 • Senior

As good as Rachaad White is and as good as he can become, it doesn’t make a lot of sense to pay top dollar to running backs in free agency. White has two years left on his rookie deal and the Bucs cut Ke’Shawn Vaughn, a former third-round pick, last year. The Bucs had a formal interview with Lloyd, who played last year at USC after beginning his career at South Carolina, at the NFL Scouting Combine and it’s easy to see why. Lloyd had a breakout year for the Trojans, rushing for 820 yards and nine touchdowns while averaging 7.1 yards per carry and scoring nine touchdowns.

The fact that there are many good running backs in the class and he’s just 5-foot-9 and ran a 4.46 in the 40-yard dash without a 1,000-yard season could make him a mid-round pick. Lloyd brings added value as a receiver, catching 13 passes for 233 yards (17.8 avg.) last year for the Trojans due to his elusiveness. Lloyd is a slashing running back that can make defenders miss and develop into a starter down the road.

Round 4 – (from Tennessee) Kansas State TE Ben Sinnott • 6-4, 250 • Senior

The Bucs could use a true TE1 on their roster, as Cade Otton is a liability as a blocker and is more of a TE2. Sinnott is the only tight end in this year’s draft class to have a grade of at least 75 as a blocker and receiver, according to Pro Football Focus. Sinnott caught 31 passes for 447 yards (14.4 avg.) and four touchdowns as a junior before posting 49 catches for 676 yards (13.8 avg.) and six touchdowns in a breakout senior season. With amazing contact balance from playing six different sports growing up, including hockey, Sinnott has tremendous hand-eye coordination and contact balance.

Sinnott improved his stock at the NFL Scouting Combine, running a 4.68 time in the 40-yard dash and posting a 40-inch vertical. That could move him up from the fourth round to the third round in a less-than-stellar tight end class. But he was available in the PFF mock draft simulator I ran, and the Bucs can use another talented K-State Wildcat.

Round 4 – Georgia S Tykee Smith • 5-10, 202 • Senior

The Bucs were interested in Georgia safety Lewis Cine back in 2022 and would’ve made him their first pick had he been available with the first pick in the second round. But a few years later, Tampa Bay does get a Georgia Bulldogs safety in Smith, who can play in the slot as a nickel or strong safety. After two successful years at West Virginia, Smith transferred to Georgia where he helped the Dawgs win back-to-back national championships.

He racked up 212 tackles, 21.5 tackles for loss, five sacks and eight interceptions in his five-year college career. With 4.46 speed and an Antoine Winfield Jr.-esque frame, Smith is a big play waiting to happen. It doesn’t hurt that Todd Bowles’ son, Troy, is a linebacker at Georgia and the Bucs head coach has watched Smith closely over the years. Smith would be a steal in the fourth round.

Round 5 – (from Arizona) Arkansas CB Dwight McGlothern • 6-2, 185 • Senior

At 6-foot-2, McGlothern has the ideal size to play cornerback in a Todd Bowles defense. After two years as a backup at LSU, McGlothern transferred to Arkansas for the chance to start. He’s a big-time ballhawk with seven interceptions and three forced fumbles over the last two years for the Razorbacks. With 23 pass breakups in his college career, McGlothern excels in coverage and has been battle-tested in the SEC.

McGlothern has good speed, running a 4.47 in the 40-yard dash in Indy. What will make him a Day 3 pick is the fact that he needs to be tougher in run support. I’m hoping the Bucs’ culture rubs off on him the right way and he can improve as a tackler the way Zyon McCollum has over the past year. McGlothern is a developmental cornerback with starter traits that would be an ideal pick-up in the fifth round.

Round 6 – Auburn DT Marcus Harris • 6-2, 286 • Senior

Tampa Bay could use another young defensive tackle to replace Will Gholston and push Logan Hall, who has been slow to develop. Harris is an undersized, but strong defensive tackle from Auburn where the Bucs have had a lot of success finding good defensive players. He shined at the Senior Bowl after recording a career-high seven sacks last year for the Tigers. In five years in college, Harris notched 126 tackles, 31 tackles for loss, 11 sacks, three fumble recoveries and two forced fumbles. He’s a high-motor player that has a good upside.

Harris has great hands and is adept at beating double teams and penetrating the backfield. Last year he recorded sacks on two of the most elusive quarterbacks in the nation in LSU’s Jayden Daniels and Alabama’s Jalen Milroe. Harris has the frame to get to 295 pounds and is worth a late Day 3 pick.

Round 7 – Tulane CB Jarius Monroe • 6-0, 204 • Senior

Monroe helped Tulane rise to national prominence over the past two seasons as the Green Wave’s shutdown cornerback. After two years at Nicholls State where he recorded 29 pass breakups and one interception, Monroe transferred to Tulane where he notched 18 pass breakups and three interceptions in each of his two seasons in New Orleans. The ball-hawking cornerback also was named the Defensive MVP of the East-West Shrine Game after recording an interception in the all-star bowl.

Monroe plays with a lot of energy and has good leadership traits, as evidenced by this YouTube video. He’s solid in coverage and one of the interceptions he had at Tulane was against USC’s Caleb Williams. A tough Louisiana native, Monroe is a sure tackler and good in run support and adds another young, developmental cornerback to Tampa Bay’s stable in the secondary.

Round 7 – Kentucky QB Devin Leary • 6-1, 215 • Senior

Leary had an up-and-down career at North Carolina State due to some injuries before transferring to Kentucky where he played for Bucs offensive coordinator Liam Coen last season. His best season was in 2021 when he threw for 3,433 yards with 35 touchdowns and five interceptions for the Wolfpack. A season-ending injury shortened his senior year in 2022 before he moved on to replace Will Levis at Kentucky. While Leary only completed 56.3% of his passes for the Wildcats, he did throw for 2,746 yards with 25 touchdowns and 12 interceptions in Coen’s offense.

Leary lacks the ideal size for the NFL, yet is the same size as Baker Mayfield. The fact that he has familiarity with Coen’s offense is a plus, and he has a pretty strong arm. Coen could be drafted to replace John Wolford and compete with Kyle Trask, who is entering a contract year in 2024.

QUARTERBACKS – 3

Baker Mayfield
Kyle Trask
Devin Leary
Analysis: Mayfield returns as the Bucs’ starter, while Trask enters a contract year. Tampa Bay adds Leary, who played for Liam Coen last year, to compete with Trask and add depth. If Trask moves on in 2025 the Bucs could very well draft a quarterback with a premium pick and look to find a long-term successor as Mayfield turns 30 next year.

RUNNING BACKS – 4

USC RB Marshawn Lloyd – Photo by: USA Today

Rachaad White
Gus Edwards
Marshawn Lloyd
Sean Tucker
Analysis: Tampa Bay’s running backs room is bolstered by the free agent addition of Edwards, who is a banger capable of ripping off big runs, and Lloyd, who has starter potential down the road. Now the Bucs have insurance in case White goes down with an injury and a better set of complementary runners if he stays healthy. Lloyd has two years left on his deal and then Davis will take over as the starter in 2026.

WIDE RECEIVERS – 5

Mike Evans
Chris Godwin
Xavier Legette
Malachi Corley
Trey Palmer

Analysis: Evans is back and Godwin enters what will likely be his final season in Tampa Bay. The Bucs drafted eventual replacements for both in the big-bodied Legette and Corley, who is amazing after the catch. Palmer will either be pushed towards greatness or to the bench with the arrival of the two rookies, while also taking over as the Bucs’ kick and punt returner. Rakim Jarrett makes the Bucs practice squad.

TIGHT ENDS – 4

Kansas State TE Ben Sinnott – Photo by: USA Today

Ben Sinnott
Cade Otton
Gerald Everett
Payne Durham
Analysis: I like Otton, but he’s really a TE2-type in the NFL. Sinnott is an all-around tight end who can catch and block and a clear upgrade. He’s more dynamic and brings yards-after-catch ability. Everett is signed to provide some veteran depth and insurance in case Durham doesn’t develop into a solid TE2 or TE3. The Bucs move on from the one-dimensional Ko Kieft.

OFFENSIVE LINE – 9

LT Tristan Wirfs
LG Graham Barton
C Aaron Brewer
RG Cody Mauch
RT Luke Goedeke
C Brian Allen
OT Justin Skule
G-C Nick Leverett
T-G Brandon Walton
Analysis: The Bucs find new starters at left guard and center with Barton and Brewer, who bring more athleticism and toughness to the offensive line. Allen was signed to add veteran depth at center as I move on from Hainsey, who was average at best. Brewer also has experience at guard, so if there is an injury, Allen could move into the center spot and Brewer could slide over to guard.

DEFENSIVE LINE – 6

Bucs DTs Calijah Kancey and Vita Vea – Photo by: Cliff Welch/PR

Vita Vea
Calijah Kancey
Logan Hall
Greg Gaines
Marcus Harris
Patrick O’Connor
Analysis: The Bucs have three premium picks in Vea, Hall and Kancey, who should all continue to improve with more playing time together. Gaines is back for depth and Harris, who is a good interior pass rusher, replaces Will Gholston and puts pressure on Hall. O’Connor returns for his special teams prowess.

OUTSIDE LINEBACKERS – 5

Andrew Van Ginkel
Yaya Diaby
Chris Braswell
Markees Watts
Anthony Nelson

Analysis: The OLB room looks much different with Shaq Barrett, who was released, and the disappointing Joe Tryon-Shoyinka, who was traded away. The versatile, high-effort Van Ginkel was a great value signing because of his ability to rush the passer and drop in coverage. He’ll platoon with Braswell, who brings speed-to-power pass-rushing and run-stuffing ability. Diaby should continue to ascend, and look out for Watts, who could have a breakout year. Watch this group of unheralded edge rushers have more production than last year’s unit.

INSIDE LINEBACKERS – 4

Bucs ILB KJ Britt and Packers TE Tucker Croft – Photo by: USA Today

Lavonte David
Tyrel Dodson
KJ Britt
SirVocea Dennis

Analysis: David returns to lead the defense, while Dodson and Britt duke it out for Mike (middle) linebacker duties. Dodson excels in pass coverage, whereas Britt is a downhill thumper in run defense. Dennis continues to develop and will be David’s eventual replacement at Mo (weakside) linebacker.

CORNERBACKS – 6

Jamel Dean
Zyon McCollum
Christian Izien
Dwight McGlothern
Jarius Monroe
Josh Hayes

Analysis: Dean takes over for Carlton Davis III as CB1, while McCollum moves into a starting role opposite Dean. Izien returns as a nickel cornerback but will receive competition from Tykee Smith, who played strong safety as well as nickel at Georgia. McGlothern and Monroe are two long, physical cornerbacks who are ideal fits in Todd Bowles’ scheme. Hayes continues to develop as an outside cornerback while starring on special teams as a gunner.

SAFETIES – 4

Georgia S Tykee Smith – Photo by: USA Today

Antoine Winfield Jr.
Justin Simmons
Tykee Smith
Kaevon Merriweather

Analysis: Winfield is back on a long-term deal and will see a little more time in the box where his sure tackler will help the Bucs run defense and he’ll get more blitzing opportunities. Last year Winfield played 672 snaps at free safety and 407 snaps in the box and in the slot because Ryan Neal was a liability in deep coverage.

The addition of Simmons, who is an ace centerfielder, gives Tampa Bay another ballhawk in a secondary that needs more interceptions. Smith is versatile enough to play in the slot and in the box and occasionally deep, while Merriweather is a developing physical force in the box.

SPECIALISTS – 3

K Chase McLaughlin
P Jake Camarda
LS Evan Deckers
Analysis: Deckers is a younger, cheaper alternative to Zach Triner. McLaughlin is back to provide continuity at kicker, while Camarda continues his trajectory toward the Pro Bowl.

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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