The Bucs aren’t done in free agency quite yet, as the team is bringing in former Falcons outside linebacker DeAngelo Malone for a visit on Thursday. Tampa Bay is seeking an upgrade to its special teams coverage units under new special teams coordinator Danny Smith, and Malone was a core special teams player for the Falcons over the past four seasons.

ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler broke the news about Malone’s visit to Tampa Bay on X.

Malone was a former third-round pick out of Western Kentucky by Atlanta in the 2022 NFL Draft, but hasn’t developed enough to see much playing time on defense during his time with the Falcons. However, Malone has used his 4.6 speed and his 6-foot-3, 243-pound frame to become quite the special teams tackler and coverage ace in Atlanta.

Falcons OLB DeAngelo Malone – Photo by: IMAGN Images – Dale Zanine

If signed, Malone would become the second outside linebacker that Tampa Bay has added this offseason, following the signing of former Lions starter Al-Quadin Muhammad.

DeAngelo Malone Could Help Bucs Special Teams

If signed by the Bucs DeAngelo Malone adds depth to Tampa Bay’s outside linebacker room, which could use another core special teams player with the departure of Markees Watts, who was not re-signed in free agency. Malone has notched 59 tackles in 58 games with the Falcons with most of his production coming during his rookie season when he had 29 tackles and one sack.

He notched two sacks during the 2024 season in limited usage, but only saw action in nine games last season due to the Falcons drafting a pair of edge rushers in the first round in Jalon Walker and James Pearce Jr. Malone had eight tackles but also recorded his first career interception.

Falcons OLB DeAngelo Malone – Photo by: IMAGN Images – Kirby Lee

Malone recorded 34 sacks at Western Kentucky, including 11.5 during the 2019 season and nine in 2021. He notched 349 tackles, 60 tackles for loss and had nine forced fumbles, one interception and a fumble recovery for a touchdown.

What really has the Bucs interested in Malone is his special teams coverage ability. He recorded five special teams tackles in each of his first two years in Atlanta and then notched nine special teams tackles in 2024. He made five special teams stops in three preseason games last year to make the team once again, and then finished with six special teams tackles during the 2025 season.

“Let’s not even kid ourselves,” former Falcons coach Raheem Morris said at the conclusion of the preseason. “You guys got a chance to see what DeAngelo means to this football team on every Friday and Saturday [this preseason] that he went out there and absolutely dominated the kicking phase in games.

“There are some people that say, ‘You know, you don’t put much value into the preseason games.’ No, I do, just in different areas. And DeAngelo Malone was one of those guys that we talked about that role clarity. He found a role in a niche and he made it that he was undeniable. You had to find a way to keep him on the football team so he can continue to do that at a very high level.”

Tampa Bay’s special teams coverage units were quite poor last year, and that played a role in special teams coordinator Thomas McGaughey getting fired at the end of the 2025 season.