Most of the moves that the Bucs have made during free agency has been to re-sign their own players. That trend continued on Wednesday morning as Jeremy Fowler of ESPN reports that Tampa Bay is going re-sign Anthony Nelson to a 2-year deal. The contract is $11 million with a chance to reach up to a total of $13 million.

Nelson Played Well With Bigger Role

Bucs OLB Anthony Nelson – Photo by: USA Today

Nelson was the best edge rusher for the Bucs last season because of injuries to Shaq Barrett and Carl Nassib, plus up-and-down play from Joe Tryon-Shoyinka. Nelson’s 5.5 sacks were tied for second most on the Bucs last season with Devin White, and were the most among outside linebackers. Nelson got to start eight games last season and recorded 3.5 sacks in that time. His three forced fumbles on the year led all Bucs defenders.

He’s really come into his own as a pass rusher over the last two seasons, recording 10.5 sacks. In his four-years in the NFL, Nelson has improved in sacks and tackles every season. He’ll look to continue that run next year where Nelson may get the chance to start at the beginning of the season with Barrett returning from an achilles injury.

Bucs’ OLB Room

Bucs OLB Anthony Nelson – Photo by: Cliff Welch/PR

All eyes will be on Joe Tryon-Shoyinka heading into his third season. He has eight career sacks and four in each season to begin his career. But it could be Nelson that ends up being either the starting outside linebacker or at least the top edge rusher you can count on until Barrett is fully ready to go.

Carl Nassib, who signed with the team last season, is an unrestricted free agent this offseason that is still available. Nassib is relatively inexpensive and brings a boost of energy to the defense. Tampa Bay could elect to re-sign him, or potentially take an outside linebacker in this year’s draft.

This is the Bucs’ second re-signing of free agency. It began with a big splash with Jamel Dean and Nelson is next up. Tampa Bay did lose defensive tackle Rakeem Nunez-Roches to the Giants and traded right guard Shaq Mason to the Texans to open up cap room. Some of the extra might be in play to re-sign inside linebacker Lavonte David to keep their main core of defensive players.