Explaining The Bucs Battle Plans For 2025

PewterReport.com writers Scott Reynolds, Matt Matera, Josh Queipo, Bailey Adams and Adam Slivon have devised their own Bucs Plans for the 2025 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 sixth 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.

Scott Reynolds’ Bucs Battle Plan For The 2025 Offseason

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

Tampa Bay has built a Super Bowl-caliber offense, but it’s time to upgrade the defense for this team to truly make a run past the Wild Card playoff round. Bucs fans are clamoring for the team to make a big splash free agent signing or blockbuster trade to help this team ascend past just winning the NFC South for a fifth straight season. I’m not sure that happens, but I do add six new free agents, including a big-name veteran cornerback to help the secondary.

I try to keep my Bucs Battle Plans as realistic as possible, and as close to what I think the Bucs might actually do in free agency and the draft. Other Pewter Reporters have much more grandiose ideas about how to remake the roster, and that’s fine. Differing opinions keep things interesting in the offseason.

Jason Licht is far better at drafting players than successfully signing free agents. As a result, I’m going to have the Bucs wade into free agency, but continue to dive deep into the draft to keep building this roster.

My main priorities to upgrade the roster include bringing back proven performers in legends like Lavonte David and Chris Godwin, who is the second-best wide receiver in Tampa Bay history behind Mike Evans. This is great for the locker room and for the football field in terms of their production. I also want to focus on rebuilding the defense and accomplish that with five re-signings on that side of the ball, five new defensive free agents and six defensive draft picks.

Bucs Restructures

QB Baker Mayfield – $21,558,750 cap saved
S Antoine Winfield Jr. – $14,872,500 cap saved
LT Tristan Wirfs – $19,864,000 cap saved
K Chase McLaughlin – $1,165,000 cap saved

Bucs Cuts

S Jordan Whitehead – This move saves the Bucs $4.5 million in salary cap space with no dead money. It was already reported that Tampa Bay made this decision as well. The injury concerns surrounding Whitehead and his beck stemming from his late season car accident are the biggest driver of this decision for me.

Bucs Trades

Bucs CB Jamel Dean – Photo by: USA Today

Trade CB Jamel Dean For Titans’ Fourth-Round Pick – The Bucs have grown weary of the oft-injured Dean not being reliable and not making plays on the ball when he’s healthy. They traded away Carlton Davis III last year for the exact same reason. Although general manager Jason Licht fleeced the Lions for a third-round pick, he is only able to get a fourth-round pick for Dean, who lacks Davis’ toughness.

Tennessee has two fourth-round picks, and sends the one the team acquired from Seattle, No. 119 overall, to Tampa Bay in exchange for Dean. The Titans need veteran cornerback help as L’Jarius Sneed was a huge disappointment last year, and they have the cap room to acquire Dean’s $12.5 million salary with over $50 million of cap space available. The trade leaves the Bucs with $6.852 million in dead cap money, but more importantly, it clears up $8,284,941 in cap room this year by moving on from Dean.

Unrestricted Free Agents Re-Signed

WR Chris Godwin – 2 years, $36 million

Godwin signed a three-year deal worth $20 million the last time he hit free agency in 2021, but that was when he was 26. Now he’s 29 and coming off his second season-ending serious injury as he hits free agency. The team didn’t sound exactly encouraged by Godwin’s progress from his dislocated ankle at the NFL Scouting Combine, and Tampa Bay may be forced to let Godwin hit free agency if he doesn’t agree to terms prior to March 12. The guess here is that he gets a slightly below market deal due to his age and the severity of his injury, but opts to stay with the Bucs for $18 million per year.

ILB Lavonte David – 1 year, $5.75 million

Bucs head coach Todd Bowles and LB Lavonte David – Photo by: Cliff Welch/PR

David decides to play one more year for the Bucs, especially with the return of inside linebackers coach Mike Caldwell. He’ll have to take a pay cut, as his play declined a bit last year, especially in coverage. But David is still a very good linebacker event at 35. It would be wise to platoon him with another linebacker and decrease his amount of snaps per game to get the best version of David on a weekly basis.

OLB Anthony Nelson – 2 years, $10 million

Nelson is a steady Eddie in Tampa Bay as he knows Todd Bowles’ system and is a dependable backup. He’s worthy of being re-signed to the same deal he inked two years ago – two years at $5 million per season. If Nelson ends up being OLB4 or OLB5, that’s a huge upgrade over the likes of unproven players like Markees Watts and Jose Ramirez.

LG Ben Bredeson – 1 year, $4 million

Bredeson didn’t get the love from Pro Football Focus, which gave him a 56 overall grade last year. But the Bucs had a higher grade on him internally. He gets a 25% raise over last year and returns to solidify the offensive line. If Elijah Klein beats him out for the left guard spot this year, then Bredeson, who can also play center, is essentially the replacement for backup center Robert Hainsey.

QB Kyle Trask – 1 year, $4 million

Both general manager Jason Licht and head coach Todd Bowles like Trask, which means he likely stays as a low-cost backup quarterback. He already knows the playbook and the terminology, as well as having chemistry with the Bucs weapons on offense from having been in Tampa Bay for four years.

OT Justin Skule – 1 year, $2 million

Skule is one of the better backup offensive tackles in the league and he’s best friends with Tristan Wirfs. He wants to stay in Tampa Bay and the Bucs are happy to have him and double his salary due to his quality play at both left and right tackle in 2024.

DT Greg Gaines – 1 year, $2 million

There may not be much of a market for the 29-year old reserve defensive tackle, and he may have to accept less than he received in his last contract, which was a $3.5 million deal last year. The Bucs would like Gaines better as DT5 rather than DT4, and that actually makes him more valuable as he’s better than players like Mike Greene and C.J. Brewer.

Unrestricted Free Agents Not Re-Signed

OLB Joe Tryon Shoyinka
ILB K.J. Britt
C Robert Hainsey
OLB Shaq Barrett
DL Will Gholston
DL Adam Gostsis
S Mike Edwards
RB Chase Edmonds
CB Troy Hill
S Ryan Neal
S Tavierre Thomas
CB Bryce Hall
OL Sua Opeta
DL Eric Banks

Restricted/Exclusive Rights Free Agents Re-Signed

S Kaevon Merriweather

Merriweather is a good special teams player and can sub in a pinch at strong safety as a restricted free agent signing. There’s no guarantee he makes the roster, but he knows Todd Bowles’ system and showed some improvement in 2024.

ILB J.J. Russell

Russell, a former practice squader, is a quality reserve who started a few games last year in place of the ineffective K.J. Britt. He returns as a restricted free agent, but is not a lock to make the 53-man roster.

New Unrestricted Free Agents Signed

49ers CB Charvarius Ward – 2 years, $29 million

49ers CB Charvarius Ward – Photo by: USA Today

The Bucs need to address their secondary and get better, more consistent play at the cornerback position. Prior to last year when he suffered through the death of losing his young daughter, Ward started all 17 games in back-to-back seasons, and had five interceptions, including a pick-six, in 2023 in San Francisco. At 6-foot-1, 195 pounds, Ward has ideal size to play outside in Todd Bowles’ defense and six years worth of starting experience.

Chargers DT Poona Ford – 2 years, $13 million

The Bucs need to bolster their defensive line unit in case of injury, and to safeguard the unit in case Logan Hall leaves after this season as he’s in a contract year. Ford is a battle-tested, strong, athletic nose tackle who matched his career highs in sacks (three) and tackles for loss (eight) last year while getting his first career interception. At age 29, signing the 5-foot-11, 310-pound Ford to a two-year deal gives the Bucs some insurance for next year if Hall departs in 2026.

Bengals OLB Joseph Ossai – 1 year, $4.75 million

Bengals OLB Joseph Ossai – Photo by: USA Today

The Bucs might pass on a high profile edge rusher in an underwhelming free agent class, and try to find the next Shaq Barrett with a cheap, one-year, prove-it deal. That could be Ossai, who had a career-high 31 pressures and five sacks backing up Trey Hendrickson and Sam Hubbard last year in Cincinnati. The 6-foot-4, 263-pound Ossai turns 25 in April and his best football may be in front of him.

Jaguars S Andre Cisco – 1 year, $4.5 million

Cisco was a ballhawk at Syracuse with 13 interceptions in three seasons. In four years with the Jaguars, Cisco had eight picks, including four in 2023. He has good size at 6-foot, 210 pounds, and might just need a change of scenery to get back to his playmaking ways after recording just one interception last season.

Commanders WR Noah Brown – 1 year, $1.65 million

Brown has good size at 6-foot-2, 225 pounds and is a smooth mover that can play in both the slot or outside. He should be an upgrade over Sterling Shepard, and at age 29, he has plenty of experience as a complementary receiver. Brown adds needed size to Tampa Bay’s receiving corps and had 35 catches for 453 yards (12.9 avg.) and one touchdown last year for the Commanders. He should come cheap.

Raiders ILB Divine Deablo – 1 year, $1.85 million

The Bucs sign the fast and athletic Deablo, who was a two-year starter in Las Vegas, to a one-year, prove-it deal to see if a change of scenery helps unlock his potential. The 6-foot-3, 223-pound linebacker was a former college strong safety and is solid in coverage and should be a special teams standout too, if he makes the 53-man roster.

Reynolds’ 2025 Bucs Draft Picks

The Bucs don’t have a draft pick in the sixth round this year, but I added an additional fourth-round pick from Tennessee with the Jamel Dean trade. Despite adding an outside linebacker and a cornerback in free agency, in addition to the return of inside linebackers Lavonte David and J.J. Russell, it’s time to flood those positions with draft picks at those spots, too.

Round 1 – Boston College OLB Donovan Ezeiruaku

Boston College edge rusher Donovan Ezeiruaku – Photo by: USA Today

The Bucs contemplated improving the edge rusher position in free agency with a splash signing, but in my scenario, the team deemed Khalil Mack to be too old at 34 to throw big money at, and Josh Sweat was too pricey and too similar to Yaya Diaby. Ezeiruaku is a fantastic, athletic edge rusher with 30 career sacks, including 16.5 last year. He’s the perfect complement to Diaby and will be developed by Larry Foote, who is back coaching outside linebackers.

You can watch Ezeiruaku’s highlights here.

Round 2 – East Carolina CB Shavon Revel

Bucs G.M. Jason Licht rarely trades future draft picks, but with 6-foot-2 Revel there early in the second round, he sends the Bucs’ second-rounder and a 2026 third-round pick to Raiders G.M. John Spytek to move up to No. 37 to draft him. With Tampa Bay wanting to go all-in to improve its secondary this year, this is a big trade that lands the team another starting-caliber cornerback outside of Charvarius Ward, who was signed in free agency.

You can watch Revel’s highlights here.

Round 3 – Oregon ILB Jeffrey Bassa

The Bucs address inside linebacker with Bassa, who excels in coverage and can also rush the passer. Bassa had an impressive Senior Bowl performance and has good leadership qualities and a high football I.Q. He’ll compete with SirVocea Dennis for the right to start as a rookie.

You can watch Bassa’s highlights here.

Round 4 (from Tennessee) – Kansas CB Cobee Bryant

The Bucs flood the position at cornerback with the selection of Bryant, who has great zone instincts and ballhawking ability. Bryant is a tough and willing tackler, and has 13 interceptions in four years at KU, including a pair of pick-sixes, along with 22 pass breakups, three forced fumbles and two fumble recoveries, including one for a touchdown.

You can watch Bryant’s highlights here.

Round 4 – Sacramento State G Jackson Slater

The Bucs bolster their depth along the interior of the offensive line with Slater, who was one of the most athletic guards at the NFL Scouting Combine. Jason Licht can’t help himself when it comes to drafting small school linemen and the 6-foot-3, 311-pound Slater is the latest one.

You can watch Slater’s highlights here.

Round 5 – Oklahoma State ILB Nickolas Martin

Oklahoma State ILB Nickolas Martin – Photo by: USA Today

Tampa Bay floods the inside linebacker position with another one in the draft in Martin, a fast and physical tackling machine. He had 140 tackles along with six sacks and a pair of interceptions as a junior, but missed over half of his final year at Oklahoma State due to a knee injury. Martin is fully healed and had a solid Senior Bowl performance, which led to a formal interview with the team at the NFL Scouting Combine.

You can watch Martin’s highlights here.

Round 7 – South Carolina DT Tonka Hemingway

Hemingway may not make it to the seventh round, but this is a very deep defensive tackle draft class, and he’s undersized at 6-foot-3, 284 pounds. Like Logan Hall, Hemingway is a project, and will need to add size and strength at the next level. The hope is that he can replace Hall as DT3 or DT4 in 2026 and be a rotational sub with Calijah Kancey because of his quickness and athleticism.

You can watch Hemingway’s highlights here.

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

QUARTERBACKS – 3

Baker Mayfield
Kyle Trask
Michael Pratt

Analysis: The Bucs have continuity at the quarterback position with Mayfield, a two-time Pro Bowler, and Trask, who knows the system but lacks playing time outside of the preseason. Pratt shows enough promise to keep as Trask’s eventual replacement in 2026.

RUNNING BACKS – 3

Bucky Irving
Rachaad White
Sean Tucker

Bucs RBs Rachaad White and Bucky Irving – Photo by: Cliff Welch/PR

Analysis: Tampa Bay’s running backs room is the envy of the league, as all three runners could start somewhere in the NFL. Irving is the feature back, while White, who is entering a contract year, is one of the best third-down backs in the league. Tucker is an emerging talent with blazing speed that needs to work on pass protection to see the field more.

WIDE RECEIVERS – 5

Mike Evans
Chris Godwin
Jalen McMillan
Noah Brown
Kameron Johnson

Analysis: Don’t let the numbers fool you, as the Bucs can stash three wide receivers – think Rakim Jarrett, Ryan Miller and perhaps Trey Palmer – on the practice squad. Tampa Bay has its top three receivers returning this year in Evans, Godwin and McMillan. The addition of Brown gives the team a big, versatile veteran with enough speed in case Godwin starts off the season slow. The Bucs hope Johnson can stay healthy because he brings speed and a dynamic quality to the position.

TIGHT ENDS – 3

Cade Otton
Payne Durham
Devin Culp

Analysis: Tampa Bay’s tight end room is solid, as all three players leveled up last year. Otton became a complete tight end, while Durham and Culp can duke it out for the right to be TE2 this year on offense.

OFFENSIVE LINE – 10

LT Tristan Wirfs
LG Ben Bredeson
C Graham Barton
RG Cody Mauch
RT Luke Goedeke
OT Justin Skule
G-C Elijah Klein
G Jackson Slater
OT Raiqwon O’Neal
G-T Luke Haggard

Analysis: The Bucs have one of the best young offensive lines in the NFL with Wirfs as an All-Pro, and Goedeke, Mauch and Barton all having Pro Bowl potential. Bredeson, Klein and Slater can duke it out for the right to start at left guard. Both Bredeson and Klein can snap, so the Bucs have an in-house replacement for Robert Hainsey.

DEFENSIVE LINE – 6

Vita Vea
Calijah Kancey
Logan Hall
Poona Ford
Greg Gaines
Tonka Hemingway

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

Analysis: The dynamic duo of Vea and Kancey is one of the league’s best defensive tackle tandems. The addition of Ford and Hemingway boosts the overall talent and depth at defensive tackle, and provides some cover in 2026 in case Hall blows up in his contract year and moves on next year in free agency.

EDGE RUSHERS – 5

Yaya Diaby
Donovan Ezeiruaku
Joseph Ossai
Chris Braswell
Anthony Nelson

Analysis: This group is young, but plenty talented with the addition of Ezeiruaku, the team’s first-round pick, and Ossai, who spent the last four years learning from Pro Bowler Trey Hendrickson in Cincinnati. Diaby and Braswell are still on the rise, and everyone will benefit from better coaching this year from Larry Foote, who is back coaching outside linebackers.

INSIDE LINEBACKERS – 5

Lavonte David
SirVocea Dennis
Jeffrey Bassa
Nickolas Martin
Divine Deablo

Analysis: Tampa Bay hopes to squeeze one more good year out of David, whose leadership is just as important as his on-field play. Dennis needs to step up and stay healthy in 2025, and if he doesn’t he’ll lose playing time to two athletic rookies in Bassa and Martin. Deablo upgrades the speed of this unit and might be a diamond in the rough in free agency. J.J. Russell is back on the practice squad again for increased depth at linebacker.

CORNERBACKS – 5

Zyon McCollum
Charvarius Ward
Shavon Revel
Cobee Bryant
Josh Hayes

East Carolina CB Shavon Revel Jr. – Photo courtesy of ECU

Analysis: Tampa Bay’s cornerback room features a new veteran starter in Ward, who is a better playmaker than Jamel Dean was. Revel is a perfect fit for Todd Bowles’ defense from a size-speed-playmaking standpoint. He’s a future starter. Bryant could also see the field early as a nickel, as he’s a ballhawk and a tough tackler in run support. Hayes returns for his special teams prowess as one of the league’s best gunners.

SAFETIES – 5

Antoine Winfield Jr.
Tykee Smith
Andre Cisco
Christian Izien
Kaevon Merriweather

Analysis: The team wisely moved on from Jordan Whitehead, who had a disappointing return to Tampa Bay. Smith, who is a natural playmaker, moves into the strong safety role so he can play 100% of the snaps on defense. Cisco is a ballhawk who replaces Mike Edwards, while the versatile Izien and Merriweather return for depth purposes.

SPECIALISTS – 3

K Chase McLaughlin
P  Jake Julien
LS Evan Deckers

Analysis: McLaughlin is one of the league’s best kickers and Deckers is an underrated and consistent long snapper. Julien demonstrated a big, booming leg in the CFL and ultimately wins the punter duties.

What Did You Think?

  Did you like my Bucs Battle Plan for the 2025 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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