This battle plan aligns with the Buccaneers organizations stated desires for next season which is retaining the defense using capital and then reorganizing what they thought should have been a 10-11 win team to be just that for next season.
The Buccaneers are re-branding. It started last year with the coaching and staff overhaul. It continues this year already hinting at a “Return to Glory”. Uniforms are finally changing (praise the lord). They are already teasing the deep reds. Keep it simple, keep it clean, and remind the fans and opponents of those nasty defenses and viable offenses that got us into playoff runs.
The big question - This plan goes the route most Bucs fans are not, but the one I think makes the most sense in playing along with the GM and coach’s current remarks; The Bucs are going to try like hell to bring back the defensive line with new contracts. It’s going to take some salary to do so, but let’s take that at face value and build outwards from that stated goal. There is only one logical path I can see that works in this scenario. The Bucs have to build around the QB rather than making it a pillar this year. I think they are finally ready to part ways with the thought of a highly paid Jameis and the replacement will have to come in the second wave of free agents or the draft. It would be an exciting time for Tampa and give them the salary they need to address depth and talent elsewhere.
Helping the team and themselves
While not currently needed in this plan our high priced O-line and Mike Evans are good candidates for restructuring to assist with cap this season. Mike Evans seems like a yearly candidate at this point the Bucs are comfortable front loading.
Free Agency bonanza
The Bucs have their work cut out for them. This battle plan focuses on the Bucs stated intentions of retaining their big defensive players. I’m not a fan of big spending in Free Agency, but this plan fills holes accordingly. It also brings in a dearth of young talent via draft.
Shaq Barrett - Franchise Tag - $15.8 million - The Bucs are getting this done one way or another. Let’s assume it happens with the tag. They bring back the NFL sack leader and are able to move onto other pieces of the puzzle. I am all for a long term deal. I think the guy is in the prime of his career and has the right mentality and skillset to warrant the risk of a long term deal.
Ndamukong Suh - 2yr / 20m ($10 million) - I think the Bucs will immediately try to bring back all members of the D-line and Suh will be first in line with Barrett squared away. There is a clear mutual respect between the two parties and not many question marks besides a million or two amongst agents and ownership. It gets done and the Bucs attempt to replicate the interior push from last season.
Jason Pierre Paul - 1yr / 11m ($11 million) - I think JPP is the most likely of the bunch to not make this list. I could see there being a disconnect on value or terms and the team going a different direction. I am going to run with the assumption that the Bucs are successful in bringing back all of the D-line starters as stated.. This amounts to basically a 1 year contract full of roster bonuses and incentives. If not I think the Bucs go in a different direction signing another veteran in FA.
Devin McCourty - 2 yr 18m ($9 million) Yes 32 year old Devin McCourty. Still slated to be one of the better safeties on the free agent market. Patriots may have trouble resigning their defensive captain with only 40 million of cap and many big decisions to make. They love McCourty but the Patriots can also be pretty steadfast in Free Agency. They prefer to let free agents leave and acquire talent through trades and draft. The Bucs uncertainty over Justin Evans forces them to make a move and it's a good one. McCourty is still a great all around player and a leader for a young secondary that is still finding its identity. Anthony Harris is another potential target here or a cheaper option of Clinton-Dix.
Graham Glasgow - 3 yr 31m (10 million) - I’m normally against signing free agent interior linemen, but the Bucs haven’t invested enough via draft on this O-line and it has held this team back tremendously. There needs to be more talent and depth even if short term it makes the Bucs the highest paid O-line in the league. Glasgow plays like an Ali Marpet. Consistent, reliable, grinding, strong, and able to play all 3 interior line positions. Alex Cappa moves back down to reserves and cross trains at RT.
Random mystery QB - 1 year 15m ($15 million) - OK so let’s look at the facts. There are more able QBs hitting the market than there are starting spots. There are no less than 2 potential starters coming out of the draft. There will be a couple guys who are left with starting experience and are more than capable of filling this role but don’t get the initial free agent hype they were hoping for. This could be Jameis, Teddy, Tannehill, Dalton, Mariota, Rivers, Newton. The Bucs are patient and wait for the initial shakeout to reevaluate their options. “This is no way to build a team” every fan screams. However the plan builds the defense and offense all around. The Bucs can’t afford to be prime players at QB this season. There is simply not enough draft talent to supplement them to be successful. If all options are exhausted in Free Agency for the price point, the Bucs turn to the draft and aggressively go after Herbert.
Demar Dotson - $3.5 million
Andrew Adams - $1 million
Kevin Minter - $1 million
Antony Auclair - 1.5m
Ryan Smith - 1m
Tanner Hudson - 1m
Draft picks - $8 million
Restructures utilized for Dline / ST / WR / CB depth targeting former players.
Trade
Cameron Brate to New England for 98th overall compensatory pick - The Patriots received 4 compensatory picks and send one at the very end of the 3rd round to Tampa Bay for Cameron Brate. They coax Brady to come back with the promise of more able targets. Cam is the possession receiver they are seeking and the Bucs unfortunately need to shed the additional $6 million in a system that doesn’t warrant that value. They retain OJ Howard and further utilize Tanner Hudson in passing roles and Antony Auclair as a blocking TE. Other potential trade partners are Dallas and Cleveland.
Draft Day:
Round 1 - Pick 14 - OT Andrew Thomas - Georgia - The Bucs have a QB they are comfortable to start the seasonwith, but are in the mix for Justin Herbert. If Herbert falls they now have a camp battle on their hands. In this battle plan we assume the early run on QBs does actually occur. The Bucs are met with an easy choice to solidify the O-line with one of the “Big 4”. A spot they have undervalued and made poor choices. Everything is speculation among these lineman, but this could easily be Mekhi Becton, Tristan Wirfs, or Jedrick Wills. Bucs take any of them and are more than pleased.
Round 2 - Pick 45 - RB JK Dobbins - Ohio State
With a newly reformed line, the Bucs choose a powerful and versatile runner in Dobbins. Good vision, good hands, and powerful bursts. The Bucs find a great young alternative to Peyton Barber who finds a new team in 2020
Round 3 - Pick 76 - DL Ross Blacklock - TCU / C Cesar Ruiz - Michigan -
Interior lineman with high potential. Great first step and can beat one on ones to the backfield but needs work consistently holding the line. Work this guy in behind our starters and has the potential to get snaps on passing downs. Adds much needed depth to a depleted interior with both Allen and Nunez Roches possibly headed elsewhere. Some have Blacklock going as high as the first round (I disagree). An alternative option could be to groom a center of the future to compete with Ryan Jensen (and potentially release him from the payrolls in 2021). Ruiz fits that mold and might push for reps as the year progresses.
Round 3 - Pick 98 (Via Patriots) - OLB Darrell Taylor - Tennessee
One of the more feared pass rushers in the SEC. Freaky athlete that is super bendy. Needs refinement in skills and diversity. Grab this kid and let him learn.
Round 4 - Pick 117 - WR Collin Johnson - Texas
A massive physical wideout with ball skills and blocking ability. At 6’6 222lb Collin helps the Bucs in their run game and also offers another consistent option in 1 on 1 and press matchups. A great pick to learn from Mike Evans and fill various roles. Bucs still need to find a burner during cuts or bring back Perriman if feasible, but Johnson will move people in the run game and give another nice big target which is what we are prioritizing in this plan.
Round 4 - Pick 139- LB Shaquille Quarterman - Miami
4 year starter and team leader with impressive production and some thump. Slots into a backup role and a great contributor to Bucs special teams.
Round 5 - Pick 162 - QB James Morgan - Florida International
Gunslinger with a cannon. Loves rifling passes into tight windows. Tough, gritty, and takes a beating without flinching, yet is great at avoiding pressure. Continual improvement each season. Stats deflated by excessive drops in 2019 and injury. Shows well at combine. Needs a bunch of refinement but a great project with a top notch arm. If the Bucs are never going to let Griffin in a game they need another draftee and camp arm this year. Morgan is raw but shows great potential and is my favorite for a mid round project piece with a high ceiling.
Round 6 - Pick 194 - S Khaleke Hudson - Michigan
Versatile player that could be used as a down safety or nickel linebacker. At this point we are targeting special teamers and khaleke adds a lot of versatility and good tackling to our unit.
Submit your battle plan to win prizes by March 15th at the reddit thread below. https://www.reddit.com/r/buccaneers/comments/fci007/the_officially_unofficial_be_the_bucs_march/?utm_source=share&utm_medium=web2x
