I’ll be the first to say that our starting point had to be signing Evans, Baker, David, Chase, etc. Now that we’ve signed our important free agents back, what are we going to do to get better? We were an 9-8 team last year that won a playoff game against a team that may have been among the worst 5 or 10 teams in the league by the end of the season. Do we hope that our division rivals sit stagnant and we can win a weak division again? That’s not going to happen.
We currently have some weak position groups. I’d say Edge Rusher, Interior Oline, and Corner are our weakest. I know that the draft is coming up, but with our draft position we probably won’t be getting much help for this upcoming season beyond our first 2… maybe 3 picks, and those are still crapshoots. Yes, Yaya out-did all expectations, but that isn’t the norm.
If we are unable to add a quality OLB/Edge Rusher I don’t see us getting any better than last year’s average to below average defense. We have to have a more consistent pass rush out of our front 4. Yaya did great, but he’s more of a 4i or 5 technique. We need a fast twitch outside rusher to complete this defense. I was the only one that called the Kansey pick last year. I loved his explosive first step and low pad level. Those guys are the guys that can be elite. Not guys like the slow footed Logan Hall. He’ll always be just a role player.
I’m hoping Licht is setting this up to sign a free agent OLB and then draft a corner in the first or second round. Going into this season with Dean, McCollum, and Izian is not ideal. Izian is not a true corner. And McCollum still has his deficiencies. If someone goes down to injury we are in big trouble.
Jordan Whitehead, apparently. just signed a 2 year deal
Boom! Like this one. Another one of those worst kept secrets!Jordan Whitehead, apparently. just signed a 2 year deal
Glad to get Jordan Whitehead, back home!
Exactly. But we still need that edge. Go get him Licht!
Doubt we do it, but I’d love to see Chase Young…Exactly. But we still need that edge. Go get him Licht!
Based on the ourlads depth chart edge, center, guard and boundary CB are the weakest.
Winfield Jr, Whitehead, and Merriweather have safety covered. And Izien and Hayes can cover safety in a pinch if needed and they are the NBs.
Improve the interior offensive line so baker can step up and throw and not have a hand in his face to be batted, and improve the scheme where godwin becomes Mr.Slot again, outside of that more integrity on the defense which was ryan neals responsibility and now KJ britt who plays the kevin minter role(not a a knock). Biggest x factor of all is the passrush. All of those things combined makes us a super bowl contender. Keep improving the depth.
We need another JPP and Shaq barrett, simeon rice, warren sapp to become superbowl contenders, elite pass rushers ....dawgs
Best available day 3 that would help:
24. Dalton Risner, G, Minnesota Vikings
Guard Dalton Risner failed to secure a long-term deal in 2023 free agency, instead landing a one-year contract with the Minnesota Vikings in September. While he didn't flash enough in Minnesota to generate a massive free-agent market, Risner was easily above average.
Risner appeared in 15 games last season with 11 starts and didn't allow a sack, according to Pro Football Focus.
The 28-year-old regularly leaves something to be desired in the running game, but he's incredibly reliable in pass protection. Risner should not have to wait as long as he did last offseason—when he was recovering from a torn UCL in his right elbow—to find a home.
21. Tre'Davious White, CB, Buffalo Bills
Cornerback Tre'Devious White is still a terrific starter when healthy. The problem is that the 29-year-old has been limited to just 10 games over the past two seasons and 21 games over the past three.
A torn ACL wiped out the end of White's 2021 campaign and much of 2022. This past season, he suffered a season-ending Achilles tear.
These significant injuries make White a free-agency risk and will likely land him a one-year "prove-it" deal on the open market. If What can return to pre-injury form and remain on the field, though, he could be a major bargain.
20. Arik Armstead, DL, San Francisco 49ers
The San Francisco 49ers released defensive lineman Arik Armstead on Wednesday after failing to work out a restructured contract with him, according to ESPN's Adam Schefter. Now that his release is official, the 30-year-old should quickly find suitors.
Armstead is an incredibly dependable run defender who hasn't been credited with a single missed tackle over the past two seasons. He can also provide a presence in the pass rush and finished the 2023 season with five sacks and 16 quarterback pressures.
19. Laken Tomlinson, G, New York Jets
The New York Jets released guard Laken Tomlinson ahead of free agency, and the 32-year-old is sure to draw plenty of interest on the open market.
While Tomlinson is no longer a top-tier interior lineman—he was responsible for three penalties and seven sacks allowed in 2023, according to Pro Football Focus—he's a seasoned veteran with an alluring level of durability.
Tomlinson hasn't missed a single regular-season start over the past six seasons and has played 100 percentof the offensive snaps over the last five.
per bleacher report nfl scouting department
Few more:
16. Jadeveon Clowney, Edge, Baltimore Ravens
Baltimore Ravens pass-rusher Jadeveon Clowney proved to be one of the best bargains of 2023 free agency. The 31-year-old matched his career high in sacks (9.5) while providing 23 quarterback pressures to a stout Ravens defense.
Consistency has never been Clowney's strong suit, and teams will wonder which version of him they're likely to get. However, Clowney is an elite disruptor when playing up to his potential, and he's a game-wrecker against the run, even when his pass-rushing production is down.
14. Kevin Zeitler, G, Baltimore Ravens
Ravens guard Kevin Zeitler just turned 34, but he's still playing at an extremely high level. He earned his first Pro Bowl nod in 2023 after playing 97 percent of the offensive snaps in Baltimore.
Zeitler hasn't started fewer than 15 games or played less than 97 percent of the snaps in those games since the 2014 season.
His age will prevent Zeitler from landing a lucrative long-term deal, but any team seeking a proven, dependable starting guard will have interest.
9. Connor Williams, OL, Miami Dolphins
Connor Williams may have started free agency in the top 10 if he weren't coming off a torn ACL that he suffered in December. With the player pool dwindling, he's there now.
The 26-year-old has been a solid starter over the past six years, as a guard for the Cowboys and as a center for the Dolphins. Though he isn't the strongest interior lineman or the soundest in pass protection, he explodes out of his stance and can generate a good initial push in the running game.
Williams' ability to play both center and guard adds to his value in free agency. Given the timing of the injury, though, teams may not be able to count on him as a Week 1 starter.
That said, now that the guard market has already begun drying up—Jon Runyan, Graham Glasgow, Kevin Dotson and Robert Hunt are among those who signed new deals before the start of free agency—Williams becomes a top option to consider.
If Clowney is left sitting out there I wouldn’t be opposed to grabbing him. He’s excellent against the run and would be our best pass rusher from the edge position. Could probably get him for $12m a year.
Clowney is still disruptive enough regardless of what scheme he has played under so with Bowles scheme he would fit right in if the price is right.
Take SR's bet...
"If I were a betting man (and I am), I would place a good deal of my chips on either an edge rusher or an interior offensive lineman being the Bucs’ pick come April 25."
Who would be the top 2 or 3 edge rusher or interior offensive lineman that should be available with our first pick?
@bucsbits Jared verse edge from fsu. Likely gone by our pick
Troy fautanu guard from Washington
Laiatu latu edge from ucla also likely gone
Jackson Johnson powers guard from Oregon
graham Barton guard from Duke. Can play basically anywhere on the line
