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Welcome to the offseason edition of Bucs Briefing! My weekly column will appear each Wednesday morning, typically detailing seven key observations about the team’s offseason. We’ll look at tape, scheme, free agency, draft prospects and major storylines as we get ready for an offseason full of intrigue.

This week, we’re looking at six ways the Bucs must improve their roster this offseason. For the purpose of this exercise, we’re not assuming any free agent departures just yet.

7. A Returner Who Can Run Without Falling Over

Bucs WR-KR Jaelon Darden – Photo by: Cliff Welch/PR

I was willing to be patient with Jaelon Darden for most of his rookie season. But by the end of the year, I was done. Darden simply has no vision or balance as a runner. On countless returns this season, Darden wiped out in the open field. Like, literally tripped over his own feet. “Sniper got him” type of stuff. All year long. Minimal contact was almost always enough to bring him down, and Darden consistently failed to create splash plays with the ball.

Long-time Bucs fans might remember what a disaster former second-round receiver Dexter Jackson was as a return specialist in 2008 for the same reason. Sadly, Darden appears to be Jackson 2.0.

The Bucs traded up in the fourth round for Darden, so I’d expect him to be the incumbent kick and punt returner going into camp. But Tampa Bay needs to bring in some serious competition for him. Maybe it’s a free agent. Or perhaps one of this year’s day three draft picks is an improvement over Darden. Heck, bring back Jaydon Mickens. But trotting Darden out without a serious fight for a roster spot next season would be a huge mistake.

6. An Upside Backup Linebacker

I like K.J. Britt and Grant Stuard as special teamers. Heck, I love Stuard as a special teamer. Mr. Irrelevant was quietly awesome this season on special teams. But I can’t see either player ever becoming a defensive starter, or even a desirable fill-in like Kevin Minter. Both lack the athleticism to play on the second level in today’s NFL. Especially in Todd Bowles’ scheme. They would be exposed quickly.

Bucs ILB Kevin Minter – Photo by: Cliff Welch/PR

As for Minter, he’s a 31-year old free agent who may retire. Even if he doesn’t, his best days are behind him. Minter struggled mightily when called upon this season. And Lavonte David is entering the final year of his contract. The Bucs could add a year in 2023 if he wants to keep playing, but they need a succession plan in place.

It’s not critical for the Bucs to find David’s replacement in the upcoming draft. But if they do target a linebacker in the middle rounds, looking for upside is key. Do that player have range and aggressiveness? Is he fearless and physical? Will he be a student of the game behind Devin White and David? Those are all questions the Bucs should be asking themselves when scouting linebackers this offseason.

5. Blocking Tight Ends

Bucs TE Cam Brate – Photo by: Cliff Welch/PR

One of the strangest aspects of the Bruce Arians’ tenure in Tampa Bay has been his lack of emphasis on blocking tight ends. Everywhere else he has been, Arians has prioritized blocking amongst his tight end room. In the Bucs’ duo-heavy run scheme, tight ends that can block are important.

But for three years, Tampa Bay has really only had one tight end, Rob Gronkowski, who can block. O.J. Howard and Cam Brate are average at best in that area. And the depth guys they’ve had around in the past, Tanner Hudson and Codey McElroy, aren’t blockers either.

In last year’s Battle Plan for the offseason, I wanted the Bucs to sign Packers TE Marcedes Lewis. The veteran returned to Green Bay and was an excellent blocker again this season. Maybe Darren Fells will return to the Bucs, as Howard departs. Could Cardinals tight end Maxx Williams be an option this offseason? He’s one of the best blocking tight ends on the market. And he should be cheap with minimal production coming off an ACL injury.

4. Competition At CB

If the Bucs go into next season with their current group at cornerback – Carlton Davis III, Jamel Dean, Sean Murphy-Bunting, Ross Cockrell, Pierre Desir and Dee Delaney – they might be fine in 2022. But they won’t be great. And they won’t be great beyond 2022 either. Dean and Murphy-Bunting will be entering contract years. The former has started to prove worthy of being a reliable starter in the NFL. But Murphy-Bunting’s struggles on the field and to stay healthy are troubling.

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

The Bucs have done a good job of finding quality veterans to provide depth and leadership at cornerback. But if they pay Davis this offseason, it’s unlikely Dean or Murphy-Bunting come back for a big contract. Also, Tampa Bay should be actively examining ways to push Murphy-Bunting’s playing time in 2022. He’s been below average for three years, despite not having to face No. 1 or even No. 2 wide receivers very often.

To me, Tampa Bay needs to go back to the well for another cornerback in the draft. This position, along with wide receiver, are probably the biggest draft priorities for the Bucs. The good news is, if Davis is back, the Bucs don’t need a No. 1 cornerback. They can spend another day two pick in a deep cornerback class. Prioritizing a player who can defend the slot should be a priority. The Bucs have not had a suitable answer for inside receivers for some time now. That must improve in 2022.

3. Interior Pass Rush

If the Bucs defense is going to take a step forward, defensive coordinator Todd Bowles must stop blitzing so often. Don’t get me wrong, Bowles can still blitz. What he can’t continue to do is blitz at a rate that dwarfs the next closest team in the league. That’s what Bowles did in 2021. And it’s what he’s done too often throughout his career.

Moving forward, the Bucs need to look at their roster and evaluate why they can’t get more from their four-man pass rush. If you look at so many of the top teams around the NFC, they have legitimate difference makers that can dominate even good offensive linemen one-on-one.

Rams DT Aaron Donald – Photo by: USA Today

The Rams have Aaron Donald and Von Miller. The 49ers have Nick Bosa and Arik Armstead, with tremendous depth. And the Cowboys have Demarcus Lawrence, Micah Parsons and Randy Gregory. Even the Packers, who aren’t as strong in this area, got a year three leap from Rashan Gary and have Za’Darius Smith and Kenny Clark.

Tampa Bay wants to have those guys in Shaq Barrett and Vita Vea. But Barrett is a good, not great edge rusher. He’ll probably always struggle one-on-one against the top-tier offensive tackles in the NFL. Barrett just doesn’t have the size and athleticism to be an elite player. As for Vea, he could be a monster interior rusher. But he needs to develop more rush moves. Also, Vea must find a way to get on the field more often. Tampa Bay’s goal should be to get him to 65-70 percent of defensive snaps next season.

Meanwhile, how can the Bucs improve their current crop of talent? The organization hopes Joe Tryon-Shoyinka will develop into that premier No. 1 edge rusher. There is no question he has the size, length, athleticism and mental makeup to do so. But the Bucs need another presence on the interior. It doesn’t even need to necessarily be a full-time player. But they need a pass-rushing defensive tackle who can consistently win one-on-one when other teams double Vea.

Unfortunately, Scott Reynolds tells me it’s another abysmal defensive tackle class in the draft. We both told y’all last year’s defensive tackle class was miserable, and we were right. The 2021 rookie interior defensive line group was one of the worst in a long time.

So the Bucs may need to look at cheap free agent depth. One interesting name is Calais Campbell. He’s 35 years old, but still played at a high level last season. Campbell played for Bruce Arians and Todd Bowles in Arizona, so he knows the system. Arians is always interested in bringing back former players, especially great people like Campbell.

Don’t think that age is a turn off, either. Ndamukong Suh and Steve McLendon played on Sunday at ages 35 and 36, respectively.

If the Bucs look like a contender, I’d expect there to be some mutual interest here. Of course, Campbell also could choose to retire.

2. Improve Talent At WR3/WR4

Outside of re-signing their own players and staving off retirement for a few key veterans, this is the most important objective of the Bucs offseason. Mike Evans and Chris Godwin are an outstanding tandem. But the reality is that the Bucs play a ton of football out of 11 personnel (one running back, one tight end, three receivers). WR3 is a more valuable position in their offense than almost any offense in the league. They need players who can get open, read coverages and make plays after the catch.

Bucs WR Tyler Johnson – Photo by: Cliff Welch/PR

After this past season, we know Tyler Johnson can’t be counted on as one of those players. The second-year receiver received ample opportunity and played miserably. He dropped four passes in the playoffs and caught only five balls for 45 yards despite operating as the team’s No. 2 wideout. Johnson also failed to score a touchdown all season.

It’s also clear the Bucs don’t care for Scotty Miller. Jaelon Darden struggled mightily as a rookie, and Breshad Perriman is a journeyman. Cyril Grayson, Jr. looked good for two games, but he’s 28 years old with 11 career catches.

All of these players can come to camp and compete. None of them should be counted on as the Bucs WR3 or WR4 next year. The players that will play one or both of those roles are not currently on the roster.

Will that player (or players) come in free agency or the draft? Likely the latter.

A few players in free agency pique my interest – WR/RB Cordarrelle Patterson and WR JuJu Smith-Schuster. Patterson is a terrific YAC player who can play out of the backfield on third downs. He’s also a fearless returner and a great locker room guy. Soon-to-be 31 years old, Patterson might be looking for a place to finish his career with a shot at another ring. He already won one with Tom Brady a few years ago in New England. Bruce Arians loves him too, raving about how hard he is to tackle this past season. Patterson would likely be cheap and accepting of a role player designation.

As for Smith-Schuster, that one is a bit trickier to figure out. As a free agent last year, there was almost no market for Smith-Schuster. The Ravens and Chiefs had short-term deals on the table for him. Ultimately, Smith-Schuster went back to the Steelers on a one-year deal. But then he hurt his shoulder and missed all but five games. What will his market be this offseason?

Bucs CB Brent Grimes – Photo by: Mary Holt/PR

It’s hard to imagine Smith-Schuster generating much more interest than he did during the 2021 offseason. Reportedly, the Chiefs are high on his list. But if he’s going for a one-year, prove-it deal again, there aren’t many better places than the Bucs. Playing with Tom Brady for a year could seriously boost his pedigree. Smith-Schuster can play inside or outside, he’s very good after the catch and he might be a better blocker than Chris Godwin. He’s the epitome of a “dirty work” wide receiver who can still make plays down the field.

His presence would allow Godwin to play an even more versatile role. And if Godwin were to be injured, the Bucs wouldn’t have to change their offense that much schematically. Smith-Schuster isn’t as consistent as Godwin, but he’s like a B-version of Tampa Bay’s star receiver. People forget, back when Smith-Schuster had a real quarterback, he put up a 1,400-yard season and was a 13 yards-per-catch guy.

But the Bucs are likely to focus on their own players in free agency first. So look for the draft as a more likely option. This is supposedly a strong wide receiver class with plenty of depth. You’ll see tons of wide receiver scouting reports and content rolling out on Pewter Report over the next few weeks/months.

1. Laugh A Little

This is pretty incredible. And you can add another two for Evans, putting him at 31 touchdowns from Brady. This graphic was published before the playoffs. If Brady returns, Evans will have a great shot at becoming the second-leading touchdown receptor from Brady. Despite only playing three years together!

He’ll need just 10 touchdowns to tie Julian Edelman for second behind Gronkowski. Evans has caught more than 10 touchdowns in four of his eight seasons in the NFL.