There's a guy that made huge strides this year and is a free agent Klavon chaisson. Consistent vocal guy this year who broke out with 7.5 sacks up in Boston. Much better in the run and pass and really matured since he got drafted. He will definitely be a cheaper option and a good guy to have in the locker room. A 2-3 year 13/y is a good number.
I like how he was vocal, good in the run, 7.5 sacks with tools to have an higher ceiling and came off a Super Bowl contender as a starter.
I think the last FA dend I suggested was Jonathan Greenard a couple years ago.
Bucs passed on Chaisson last year and if they pass on him this year again oh well...they don't want to rush the passer. But last season showed the Bucs couldn't stop the run when it mattered either.
So what exactly are they trying to on defense?
We will go LB, LB, Edge, or some variation of that in the first three rounds.
We will bring in a FA Edge, a LB, and a RB or TE.
We will sit back and see if the health of our players is better in 2026.
We will go LB, LB, Edge, or some variation of that in the first three rounds.
We will bring in a FA Edge, a LB, and a RB or TE.
We will sit back and see if the health of our players is better in 2026.
And maybe with the new ST coach the Glazers are convinced this team can win the division. But I am not sold anymore because I thought Carolina was a year out due to needing more talent on defense but they closed the gap quickly. If the Panthers load up on more talent on offense and defense I do not see where the Bucs can catch up if they have a conservative off season.
The Saints were clearly rebuilding this season but they showed vast improvements. They are an off season away from adding talent to the defense to transition to their new defensive alignment and augment the skill groups on offense some more. And they have an ownership group that may not be flush with cash but they are aggressive with free agents.
The Falcons could turn it around with some competent coaching because they already have the talent on defense. They have talent on offense and they just need to augment that sorry state of a WR group because London can't do it alone.
I think chaisson spending this season with Vrabel makes a big difference in the type of player he is. I think watching one of the meetings Vrabel was running when he was on the titans where he just talked about and emphasized “just f****** touch somebody” in regards to blocking as an olineman. Really captures the frustration, standard, and attention to detail of effort and what just touching somebody can do. Because just a lil shove can help spring an extra yard or two or pushing a pile and eventually those add up mentally and physically. The play from my recollection is a guard getting to the second level of lbs and didn’t get a hand on anyone during film study.
Chaisson being around a coach that like that, helped up his game where he can bring some new perspective and energy to this defense
I also like Rico dowdle if he can be had for cheap, he reminds me a lot of earnest graham, he knows what hole to hit and has a decisive burst to it.
Has experience running screens catching in open space or out of the backfield.
Right now we just need a dependable back to put in the backfield as Bucky is coming back from shoulder surgery
Every season has it's ebbs and flows. There is no way to really tell who is going to to the playoffs and who is a pretender.
Tampa fell off like a motherfucker. They should have changed head coaches. They didn't. Now we will see if that will payoff or not. I do know we will be adding a lot of defensive talent in the next 10 weeks or so.
" ESPN's Matt Bowen believes the Bucs should get veteran linebacker Alex Anzalone.
"Lavonte David is a free agent, and coach Todd Bowles needs more from his inside linebackers," wrote Bowen. "Anzalone is quick to key the run, and Bowles is one of the best at scheming his linebackers on pressure stunts. Tampa Bay can add another productive veteran on defense here. Anzalone had 2.5 sacks and eight pass breakups in Detroit last season."
Anzalone is a proven inside linebacker from his days with the New Orleans Saints and Detroit Lions, and would provide the Bucs with leadership on the defensive side of the ball. He could end up being a direct replacement for David, but it doesn't mean that he would be a clear upgrade, given that Anzalone is also over 30 and in the latter half of his career.
Anzalone is a solid, technically sound player who is quick and instinctive against the run, versatile, and excels in coverage, which are all things the Bucs could use. However, despite being a solid player, Anzalone is not an elite game-changer, which the Buccaneers' defense needs more of to put their offense in better positions.
the Bucs mock has them taking . .
15. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: LB CJ Allen, Georgia
Legendary Buccaneer Lavonte David is an impending free agent and even if he chooses not to retire and returns in 2026, he could help mentor his future successor. CJ Allen fits the Bucs' character criteria with leadership skills as a green dot linebacker for the Bulldogs and team captain role. Allen possesses the position flexibility that is required in Todd Bowles' complex system. He has quick burst to close on receivers to limit YAC yards from zone, blitz prowess from the A- and B-gaps, textbook wrap-up tackling technique and trust in his instincts to play fast after diagnosing. He fills gaps with proper leverage and his football intelligence was evident in Kirby Smart's system.
They should have changed head coaches. They didn't. Now we will see if that will payoff or not.
I'm sure it will result in a Super Bowl win.
Bowles is a coach who can win it!
Bowles draft philosphy
"“Right now [in Round 1] it’s best available,” Bowles said. “You understand what your need is, but when your need and your best available are the same, obviously you go with the need — if they’re equal [in draft evaluation]. But if they’re not equal [caliber players], you don’t go ‘need’ until you get down the line [in later rounds of the draft]. Right now [in Round 1] you gotta go best available.”
Licht on 2025 lack of pass rush
"That is an area, one of the areas, that we need to focus on,” he said. “Whether it’s free agency, draft, what have you… It’s obvious that the NFL is a pressure game, and you need to get pressure on the quarterback in order to win.
“It’s not like we were getting blown out of these games," Licht continued. "We were in a lot of close, tight games," he said. "I think in order to take the next step from where we were in 2025, I think we need to get more pressure on the quarterback.”
They already wasted money keeping Bowles and any years they have him knowing full well the season will go to the toilet when it matters. Prime time bucs Bowles games guys? Anyone want to experience that right now even with no football?
I don't see much of an investment in this team right now. We'd need to make a significant move to help this team on defense. If you do that you might be able to help this team stay above water.
i mean, they need multiple players on the defense
Need to replace Hall.
Need to get a rotation on the defensive line where Kancey is a starter but we have a 1b to him. He is injury prone. Think Eagles roster when they won the last few years. So i am thinking you have Vea and Kancey but need 2 more above average guys.
You can keep Diaby at edge but need a starter opposite him
David is washed and ok if he wants to return but Dennis is ass. Need at least 1 starter here
Letting Dean walk, probably did enough in secondary with McCollum, Morrison, and Parrish along with Tykee Smith and AWJ at safety. Dont think we need to do much here
so that is 4 new starters basically or starting caliber players. I think Bradley can fill one of those roles and you dont lose any draft capital. You can then draft 2 guys in the first and second round which can fill another 2 spots so still need another big free agent signing to Chubb
thinking this
DL - Vea, Kancey, 1st or 2nd round draft pick, free agent signing
Edge - Diaby, sign Chubb
ILB - David, 1st or 2nd round draft pick
Secondary - Morrison, Parrish, McCollum, Smith, Winfield
the offense is relatively set. Bring back Mike. Sign some vet TE like Njoku or Goedert or Pitts; maybe draft a running back in 4th or 5th round.
Leaves a third round pick to draft best available player. Can never have too much talent in the trenches.
Hall I think can be replaced by Roberts. If not then yes there need to be a replacement for Hall.
Roberts can rotate inside but I do agree the Bucs need to now explore a 1b. With Kancey out this defensive style does not work without a 3 tech not pressing inside to help the edge rushers.
Bucs need not only a starter opposite of Diaby but a 3 and 4 with Walker bringing in the rear a 5. That is an instant turnover of the edge room and proves the Bucs are serious about addressing this.
Bucs need a starter at ILB and also 2 more depth pieces to compete with Jackson and Dennis.
Dean walking is a no brainer as you have JJ Roberts coming back and the Bucs will throw a flyer on a DB day 3 of the draft and sign a cheap vet too.
During the press conference Bowles said they need to get BIGGER especially up the middle. They took a flyer on the huge Gator kid last year so look for them to draft or FA some bigger DT
Well it was obvious with Jayson Jones being the first official free agent signing of this season and Simmons has a future contract. The experiment with a smaller 3 tech is probably over and the Bucs are scouting for a larger 3 tech now or a guy that cover NT rotation with Vea and step in at 3 tech if Kancey goes down again.