The Bucs wasted little time attacking the NFL’s free agency negotiation window when it opened on Monday. The team will already look a lot different heading into next season, even before taking into account that the 2026 NFL Draft is still over a month away.

So, where does Tampa Bay stand?

Have they found real value on the open market, or have they overpaid for incoming talent?

Bucs’ Early Free Agent Signings Were A Mixed Bag

The Bucs were quick to strike while the iron was hot on Monday, agreeing to deals with running back Kenny Gainwell and inside linebacker Alex Anzalone. In doing so, general manager Jason Licht and assistant general manager Mike Greenberg broke from the traditional mold of signing players to one-year deals, putting increased faith into Gainwell and Anzalone being more than just band-aids.

Bucs RB Kenneth Gainwell – Photo by: Cliff Welch/PR

Starting with Gainwell, his two-year, $14 million deal was given an average grade by Pro Football Focus, who projected him to make two years, $8 million. Here is what PFF had to say analyzing the deal.

Gainwell unexpectedly burst into a big role for the Steelers in both their pass and run games, posting a 74.7 PFF rushing grade and a 70.5 PFF receiving grade in 2025. Although he fetched more than was expected on an annual basis, Gainwell should serve as a nice complement to Bucky Irving, especially with Rachaad White expected to depart in free agency.

Coming off a career year where he had 114 carries for 537 yards and adding an impressive 73 catches for 486 yards, Gainwell fits the mold of a multi-purpose “threat” for offensive coordinator Zac Robinson’s offense in 2026. In signing him and tendering Sean Tucker, the offense will continue to roster three talented backs.

Anzalone enters a different situation, as he is expected to be the veteran complement to the rookie inside linebacker(s) the team adds through the draft. The 31-year-old has been a steady enforcer for the Lions since 2021, when he signed with them after spending four years with the Saints.

Now with the Bucs after inking a two-year, $17 million contract, PFF gave this signing an above average grade as it was around the two-year, $15 million deal he was projected to earn.

Anzalone has produced a 65.0-plus PFF overall grade in each of the past three seasons and now turns that into a solid deal with the Buccaneers. He excels in coverage, against the run and as a blitzer, providing the Buccaneers with a three-down presence at linebacker. Perhaps this signing means they aren’t tied to selecting a linebacker early in the 2026 NFL Draft.

The other move Tampa Bay made on the first day of negotiating was re-signing tight end Cade Otton.

Yes, it actually happened.

Bucs TE Cade Otton and daughter Tenny – Photo by: Cliff Welch/PR

In hindsight, Otton’s deal foreshadowed the end of Mike Evans’ legendary Bucs career, signaling the team was not willing to pour most of its available cash back into the offense. After hitting the open market, the reliable, jack-of-all-trades player got a three-year, $30 million deal. Although that $10 APY (average per year) was less than the $10.67 million APY projected, it does not make it a good signing in the eyes of PFF. In fact, it earned a below average grade.

Why, might one ask? Well, the reasoning given is that other needs could have been addressed with the money. The team chose to keep him around over other free agent tight ends or drafting one in the middle rounds.

This is a strong deal for Otton, with the Buccaneers clearly wanting to keep him around. But considering some of the other options available, did Tampa Bay need to sign him to a contract worth $10 million per year? He’s a solid player but has averaged just 1.04 yards per route run in his four-year NFL career.

Bucs Have Continued To Address The Defense, But Has It Been Worth It?

After signing Kenny Gainwell and Alex Anzalone and re-signing Cade Otton, the Bucs have continued to make moves to add to what was an 8-9 roster in 2025. After seeing defensive tackle Logan Hall leave for the Texans on a two-year, $14 million deal, the team pivoted and signed veteran defensive tackle A’Shawn Robinson on a one-year, $10 million deal. While one can appreciate what Robinson will bring upfront in head coach Todd Bowles’ defense, it is easy to see why PFF labeled the deal below average.

The 6-foot-3, 320-pound menace was released by the Panthers this offseason, but Tampa Bay actually gave him a raise from the $8.5 million Carolina was set to owe him.

Bucs DT A’Shawn Robinson – Photo by: IMAGN Images – Jim Dedmon

Robinson has been in the NFL for 10 years now, but it has been five years since he has finished a season with a PFF overall grade of 65.0 or better. He is still a solid player, though this feels like an overpay.

From a value perspective, the Bucs made up for it by inking edge rusher Al-Quadin Muhammad on Thursday evening.

Muhammad will not only make his presence known in short order, but he signed a one-year, $4 million deal that can max out at $6 million. Given he is coming off an 11-sack season with the Lions, this earned an above average grade, with it being arguably the best value signing so far.

Bucs OLB Al-Quadin Muhammad – Photo by: IMAGN Images – Junfu Han

The Buccaneers may not have landed a splashy pass-rusher yet this offseason, but Muhammad was quietly very effective for the Lions last season. In 2025, he churned out a career high in pressures (53) and PFF pass-rush grade (71.9). Getting a player of his pass-rush acumen for a maximum of $6 million is good from a price standpoint.

Two other signings not mentioned by PFF to this point are quarterback Jake Browning and safety Miles Killebrew. The financial details of Browning’s contract are yet to be revealed, but the deal will likely be modest. Paying a couple million to bring him over from Cincinnati as Baker Mayfield’s backup is a solid move, as he comes in with experience should the need ever arise.

While Killebrew is not a splashy addition, he has the chance to carve out a pivotal special teams role. The 32-year-old will earn $1.8 million over one year. That is less than he signed his last contract for, although he is coming off a torn ACL. Should he be healthy and contribute on Danny Smith’s unit, this has the chance to be a sneaky quality addition that will be more impactful than meets the eye.

In total, the Bucs have made two above average, one average, and two below average signings so far in free agency. Is an average grade fitting for the moves made so far, or is there more reason to be optimistic about certain players coming in?

Through the first wave of free agency, the team appears to be walking a familiar line under Jason Licht – prioritizing depth and flexibility over splashy spending. Whether that approach pays off may depend on what comes next in the 2026 NFL Draft.

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