The Bucs have many players they would like to re-sign in this year’s free agency. Atop the group are players such as Chris Godwin, Ryan Jensen and Carlton Davis. It’s unlikely Tampa Bay can retain everyone like last offseason, but in order to keep a majority – or even half –  it may come at the expense of others.

Each year before free agency hits, you’ll see a few teams release notable players in order to create more salary cap room. These moves are known as “cap casualties.”

Cap guru Brad Spielberger from PFF.com came up with a list of one player per team that could get the axe. For the Bucs, he chose tight end Cam Brate as a potential candidate. Here was his explanation:

Bucs TE Cam Brate – Photo by: Cliff Welch/PR

“Brate agreed to a $3 million pay cut to stick around in Tampa for the 2021 season and chase another Lombardi Trophy,” Spielberger said. “But his 57.5 receiving grade was the second-lowest of his career. With Tom Brady stepping away, it’s hard to envision the Buccaneers keeping Brate and his $6.55 million 2022 salary. Especially with important contributors in wide receiver Chris Godwin and cornerback Carlton Davis set to hit free agency. Tampa Bay may go from a trio of Rob Gronkowski, O.J. Howard and Brate to a whole new unit in 2022. But Bruce Arians’ offense has historically not relied on a top tight end.”

Understanding the assignment that at least one guy has to be picked, Brate makes sense. As Spielberger lists in the article, the Bucs would only lose $1.9 million in dead cap money, but save another $5.3 million. There’s no question that Brate won’t play for the Bucs at that cap number this season.

Meanwhile, cutting player on their rookie contracts doesn’t do much to save money. And the Bucs other veterans are either too valuable or would cost way too much in dead cap money to release. Brate is still an important player on the Bucs, but not that important. Brate finished the season with 30 catches for 245 yards and four touchdowns in the regular season, along with four catches for 38 yards in the playoffs.

On the flip side, I wouldn’t be too worried about Brate going anywhere, Bucs fans. He’s been willing to restructure his contract over the last two seasons, and will likely do so again. It would also be a risky move to get rid of Brate, with Rob Gronkowski and O.J. Howard also free agents. Losing him would mean you’re going into next season with Codey McElroy and a cast of new tight ends. Brate has shown he still has a role on this team, particularly in the red zone.

If Tampa Bay wants to go a different direction to create cap space, they could check special teams. While it wouldn’t save as much as Brate, letting punter Bradley Pinion go opens up $2.9 million with no dead cap money if it’s before June 1st. I’m not saying this is going on or the Bucs should do this. I’m just giving out an alternative option.

The legal tampering window for free agent negotiations begins on March 14. If any of these moves happen, it’ll likely occur in the next 2-3 weeks. You can read the full story on PFF here.