With Free-Agency right around the corner the Bucs are faced with replacing 11 starters between their offense and defense. That amounts to one entire side of the ball. With the retirements of Tom Brady and Ali Marpet this year’s offseason will look different than last year’s “Run it Back” philosophy.

With that said, GM Jason Licht said during interviews at the NFL Scouting Combine that Tampa Bay will be trying to retain many of their personnel from the 2021 season. Below we will look at the starting roles currently vacant giving you three options that the Bucs may look at to fill the void. Option A will be the previous year’s incumbent (or in his absence the best available option on the market), option B would represent a mid-level external free agent, and option C will look towards an unproven or otherwise risky flyer.

This series will be broken up into three pieces. Offensive Playmaker, Offensive Line, and Defense.

QUARTERBACK

Option A- Jameis Winston

I’m not advocating for Wisnton as Plan A, but the simple truth is he represents the most talented player currently available on the market. Last year, Winston posted career highs in PFF grade (74.2) and Big-Time Throw Rate (7.1%), with the lowest Turnover-Worthy Play Rate (3.0%) of his career.

The likelihood of the Bucs reuniting with their once franchise-quarterback are slim-to-none. But that doesn’t change the fact that he represents the highest level of talent with the greatest upside in free agency. Given his penchant for turnovers and coming off a torn ACL, his price tag will be modest in terms of both length and financial commitment. Look for a 1-year deal for $5-7.5 million with heavy incentives that won’t hit a team’s cap until 2023.

Option B- Teddy Bridgewater

Panthers QB Teddy Bridgewater and HC Matt Rhule – Photo by: USA Today

What do we already know about the Bucs and Teddy B? We know there was interest in 2020 before Tampa Bay was able to land their white whale in Tom Brady. Does Bridgewater represent a prototypical Bruce Arians quarterback? No. Bruce’s mantra is famously “no risk it, no biscuit”. Meanwhile, Bridgewater is known for playing a tamer version of offense, checking the ball down and not having the arm to really push the ball down field.

What Bridgewater is known for is being accurate, which is a quality Arians appreciates more than most. He is also a known quantity. While not representing a higher upside than Winston, Bridgewater represents a lower variance option which means he would come at a higher price. PFF has Bridgewater pegged for a 2-year deal for $17 million with $12 million guaranteed. I agree with the price, but again think the deal would be loaded with incentives that would not hit the cap until 2023.

Option C- Blaine Gabbert

The man, the myth, the legend. Blaine Gabbert represents the worst-case scenario for many Bucs fans. While Bruce Arians continues to talk up Gabbert as having the ability to be a starter in Arians’ offense, the veteran represents a low probability of success. His price tag would be very low though. I would project 1-year, $3.5-5 million, again with incentives that would hit the 2023 cap tacked on.

SLOT RECEIVER

Option A- Chris Godwin

Bucs WR Chris Godwin – Photo by: USA Today

Godwin has developed a cult-like following in Tampa Bay. With his big-time contested catches, route-running savvy, ability to run the entire route tree and willingness to block, there aren’t many who don’t love the sixth-year receiver. Count Bruce Arians and Jason Licht among those fans, as the Bucs have tagged Godwin to return. Godwin will come at a deservedly hefty price tag on a long term deal.

Option B- Allen Robinson

Robinson doesn’t have the game-breaking speed you would expect from a receiver Bruce Arians would look for. But Robinson’s career 12.9 yards per catch compares well with Godwin’s 13.1 over the last three years in Arians’ offense. He produces well in contested catch opportunities and has shown to be a solid blocker as well. Coming off an injury-plagued season, I project Robinson to get a 3-year deal worth $42.5 million.

Option C- JuJu Smith Schuster

Smith-Schuster isn’t the No. 1 receiver his 111-catch, 1,426-yard 2018 season would have you believe. But he also isn’t a third or fourth receiver the 1-year, $8 million contract he signed late in the offseason last year would have you believe as well. The truth with Smith-Schuster lies somewhere in between. And this is where he can represent a tremendous value for the Bucs. After getting very few offers last year, Smith-Schuster missed most of the season with a shoulder injury. There is very good reason to think he might come at an even bigger discount in 2022. A one-year, $7.5 million deal could be next for Smith-Schuster.

OUTSIDE RECEIVER

Option A- JuJu Smith Schuster

What can I say about Smith-Schuster that I didn’t already say earlier when talking about him as an option for the slot receiver position? He is position diverse, which means he can play the outside role as well. That’s what gets him on this list twice.

Option B- Will Fuller

Fuller represents a trait Arians covets that cannot be taught. That trait is speed. He employs that speed on a frame that is more in-line with Arians prototypical receiver than Scotty Miller and Cyril Grayson, with a more accomplished track record. Fuller comes with his warts. Namely, he has had trouble staying healthy. That allows him to come in at a reasonable price of 1-year $5-7 million.

Option C- Michael Gallup/Odell Beckham Jr

Both of these players have the talent and skillsets to be Option “A’s” across the league. They both have complete skillsets that allow them to play multiple roles within multiple offenses. How did they end up lower than Option “B” on this list? Both receivers suffered major lower-body injuries late in the season that has their availability for the entirety of the 2022 season in doubt. PFF has the duo each pegged for 1-year, $5 million deals.

TIGHT END

Option A- Rob Gronkowski

Bucs TE Rob Gronkowski – Photo by: Cliff Welch/PR

Gronkowski’s play has not dipped despite him finishing up his age-32 season. He ranked top 10 among tight-ends per PFF and continued to make big plays throughout the season. Gronk also suffered another major injury in 2021, keeping him out of 5 games altogether along with most of a 6th. And that puts his future in flux. Gronk has already retired once and has never played without Tom Brady in his professional career. There is a very high chance he retires again. And even if Gronk does decide to play in 2022, the circumstances will change his contract considerably.

Last year Gronk signed a team-friendly deal below his market value. This year there is no Brady swaying his decision as to how much he wants to play for tying him down. And Tampa Bay isn’t the Super Bowl favorite they were a year ago. Given the recent Ian Thomas extension and the reports of David Njoku possibly getting $10-111 million APY. Gronk can command well north of the 1-year $7 million deal PFF has him pegged at. I can see Gronk getting 1-year $9 million.

Option B- Maxx Williams

Williams represents the more traditional Bruce Arians Tight End he has used throughout his career. Not the playmaking athletes Gronkowski and OJ Howard have provided him over the past three years, but a good blocker with sure hands who can help in the red zone. This skillset with his upside pegs his value at 3-years $20 million.

Option C- Eric Saubert

Saubert is a sixth-year journeyman who has never played more than 120 snaps in a season. Why is he on this list as a potential option for the Bucs? He is a solid blocker who wouldn’t step in as the No. 1 tight end, but rather slot in as a No. 2/No. 3, pushing Cam Brate into a starting role for the season. And he will come at the Veteran League Minimum of 1-year, $1.12 million.

RUNNING BACK

Option A- Leonard Fournette

Playoff/Superbowl/Lombardi Lenny had about as great of a turnaround from Week 13 of 2020 through the end of 2022 as one could have. He improved as a pass-blocker and a receiver and shown himself to be a bell-cow back, but has his shortcomings. He lacks breakaway speed and has inconsistent vision.

But Fournette did prove himself to be a reliable playmaker on a championship offense. Now he will look to get a big payday. One the Bucs may see as too rich to pay. Given his age, I project Fournette to see a 3-year deal worth $22.5 million.

Falcons RB-WR-KR Cordarrelle Patterson – Photo by: USA Today

Option B- Cordarrelle Patterson

Late career renaissances are a rare thing in the world of running backs. But that is exactly what Patterson enjoyed last year with Atlanta. Albeit, Patterson is not a true running back. But he totaled 1,168 yards and 11 touchdowns in his age 30 season.

Patterson showed the big-play ability that made him a 1st round draft pick in 2013. He can line up all over the field and produce personnel mismatches that make offensive coordinators drool. Add to those his prolific return skills, and you have a dynamic playmaker who can change games in one play. Given his age and the lack of history at this level of play, Patterson projects to cost less than Fournette. PFF has him at two years, $12 million.

Option C- Rashaad Penny

Penny represents the ultimate flyer. His skills are undeniable, matching a 220-pound frame with speed and explosiveness. He can be a three-down back in any system. What Penny has lacked over his first four years in the league is a clean bill of health. Still, when on the field he can carry an offense, as evidenced by his performance in the back half of the 2021 season. If the Bucs do go down this road, they will certainly want to hedge their bets with additional bodies.