Just two months ago, the start of the new NFL year kicked off, signaling the first time teams were able to sign free agents. As of this week, 613 different players signed contracts worth $3.9 billion in free agency, as well as 257 prospects were selected in the NFL draft, capping off an offseason with plenty of player movement across the league.
This offseason, the Bucs were one of many teams that used the offseason to their advantage. In free agency, Tampa Bay spent most of their money to bring back its own players, getting deals for key guys like Baker Mayfield and Mike Evans. Tampa Bay also cooked up a pretty decent draft class as well, which featured a handful of undrafted rookies.
That said, the Buccaneers are still in the midst the offseason, and have several months to add another key player (or two) in free agency. While none of these free agents will be game-changing talents at their respective positions, a number of them are more than capable of playing pivotal roles in the starting lineup or on the bench, such as these five listed below.
CB Xavien Howard
Throughout the offseason, the Buccaneers made several transactions regarding their cornerback room. That starts with the Buccaneers trading Carlton Davis III to Detroit in exchange for the Lions’ 2024 third-round pick. With that, Tampa Bay selected Georgia’s Tykee Smith at No. 89, who figures to be the Buccaneers’ starting nickel corner in 2024.
In free agency, Tampa Bay signed Bryce Hall and Tavierre Thomas to one-year deals, with both corners coming off solid seasons. Coupled with the return of starting cornerbacks Jamel Dean and breakout candidate Zyon McCollum, and the Buccaneers’ cornerback room figures to be a solid point of their defense in 2024.
Outside of the five corners mentioned, Tampa Bay’s reserves at the position leave a lot to be desired, with the likes of Josh Hayes, Quandre Mosely, and Keenan Isaac set to slot in the starting lineup barring the starters missing time. For example, Dean has missed 15 total games in his first five seasons, while Hall and Thomas have dealt with lingering injuries that has kept them off the field.
As several starting-caliber cornerbacks remain in free agency, Howard, an eight-year veteran, appears to be the best option for Tampa Bay. Howard, the No. 38 pick in the 2016 draft, has been a steady option at cornerback for the Dolphins. Starting in 99 of 100 games played, Howard has recorded 331 tackles, eight tackles for loss, 95 pass breakups, 29 interceptions, four forced fumbles, and five fumble recoveries.
Howard was especially impressive in the 2020 season, totaling 51 tackles, 20 pass breakups, and a league-leading ten interceptions in 16 starts, making the All-Pro First Team and Pro Bowl, along with a third-place finish for the Defensive Player of the Year Award. Although Howard only totaled 90 tackles and two interceptions in his last two seasons with Miami, he is still capable of adding value on the boundaries for Tampa Bay in the secondary.
MLB Zach Cunningham
While Tampa Bay did re-sign 12-year veteran Lavonte David to a one-year, $9 million contract in free agency, they did lose Devin White to Philadelphia as their other starting inside linebacker. Currently, 2021 fifth-round pick KJ Britt projects to slot in alongside David, with JJ Russell and SirVocea Dennis serving as reserves.
With David entering his age-34 season and Britt starting in just four career games, Buccaneers defensive coordinators Kacy Rodgers and Larry Foote may seek an upgrade at the position before week one. Of the remaining linebackers left in free agency, Cunningham is the best fit to perform alongside White in Rodgers’ and Foote’s 4-3 defensive scheme.
Cunningham, the No. 57 pick in the 2017 draft, has played with Houston, Tennessee, and Philadelphia over his seven-year career. In 86 career starts and 95 games, Cunningham has recorded 705 tackles, 31 tackles for loss, 6.5 sacks, 23 pass breakups, five forced fumbles, and four fumble recoveries. During the 2020 season, Cunningham amassed a league-leading 164 tackles, along with seven tackles for loss, two pass breakups, and three sacks in all 16 games.
At 30 years old, Cunningham is past his prime, but his veteran leadership and familiarity in Tampa Bay’s 4-3 scheme would be welcome if Britt, Russell, or Dennis struggle early in 2024. Coupled with a cheap price tag similar to that of a one-year, $1.75 from Philadelphia, Cunningham would be a bargain-bin signing in a position of need for Tampa Bay.
RB Rashaad Penny
Last season, Tampa Bay’s running game ranked near the bottom of the league, with a league-worst 88.8 rushing yards per game on 422 attempts. With a putrid 3.8 yards per carry mark on the team, improving the run game was a clear must for the Buccaneers this offseason.
Part of the solution might have been found in the fourth round of the draft this year. Tampa Bay used their fourth-round pick on running back Bucky Irving, who was a two-time All-American back at Oregon.
With third-year incumbent Rachaad White and Irving in the fold, Tampa Bay’s run game will improve from last season. That said, Tampa Bay still lacks a true power back, a player capable of succeeding in short-yardage situations. As White and Irving are both under 200 pounds, neither player had success in goal-line situations, and a player capable would be the ultimate contrast alongside Tampa Bay’s current duo.
Of the remaining running backs in free agency, Penny makes the most sense to fill a power-back role in Tampa. Standing at 5’11” and 220 pounds, Penny has filled that role in six seasons as a Seahawk and an Eagle. In 45 career games (11 starts), Penny has taken 348 carries for 1,951 rushing yards, 13 touchdowns, and 5.6 yards per carry.
While Cam Akers, Matt Breida, Dalvin Cook, and Kareem Hunt all remain un-signed in free agency as well, Penny is the youngest of the group at 28, and still offers the most upside on a cheap deal. A running back group of White, Irving, and Penny would be an improved trio rushing attack for offensive coordinator Liam Coen to work with this season.
OG Dalton Risner
In a free-agent class full of proven and aging veterans, Risner was one of the few younger offensive linemen with proven starting experience. Risner, the No. 41 pick in the 2018 NFL draft, spent time in Denver and Minnesota and was a solid starting guard with both teams. In 78 career games, Risner has made 73 starts and totaled 4,521 snaps as a Bronco and Viking.
Last season, Risner only committed three penalties in 15 games (11 starts) as the Vikings’ starting left guard, and earned a 57.3 PFF grade. Through the years, Risner has posted average grades from PFF, earning marks of 64.4, 61.3, 59.0 and 61.1 from 2019-2022. Even so, Risner has managed to play in 15+ games in all five seasons and has made 15+ starts in every season except last year.
Even though Risner enjoyed a smooth transition from four years as the Broncos’ starting left guard to Kirk Cousins’ blindside guard, the 28-year-old free agent is just one of many average offensive linemen available in free agency. That said, Risner remaining un-signed three months into free agency speaks how deep of an offensive linemen class there was in free agency.
Yes, Tampa Bay signed Sua Opeta, Ben Bredeson, and Justin Skule in free agency, and drafted Graham Barton and Elijah Klein in the draft. Still, adding one more offensive lineman ahead of the 2024 season would still be a worthwhile move, especially with the added pressure to protect Baker Mayfield in year two.
DE Jerry Hughes
Unlike middle linebacker or the offensive line, defensive line wasn’t a notable area of need for Tampa Bay entering the offseason. Led by star defensive tackle Vita Vea, as well as defensive ends Calijah Kancey and Logan Hall, Tampa Bay’s d-line totaled 91 tackles for loss and 48 sacks, the sixth and seventh marks in the league, respectively.
Even so, the Buccaneers chose to still upgrade the position group in the offseason, re-signing defensive tackle Greg Gaines and defensive end Will Gholston, while inking Randy Gregory to a one-year deal. Those moves are good on their own, but the addition of Hughes would cap off a successful offseason for Tampa Bay.
At 35 years old, Hughes will enter his 14th year in the NFL, but has still shown signs as a competent pass rusher in the NFL. Since debuting with Indianapolis in 2010, Hughes has recorded 479 tackles, 96 tackles for loss, 70.0 sacks, 21 pass breakups, 19 forced fumbles, five fumble recoveries, and two touchdowns.
During the 2022 season in Houston, a 34-year-old Hughes posted 35 tackles, ten tackles for loss, and nine sacks in 17 games (16 starts), his highest sack total in the last eight seasons. With Kancey, Hall, and 2024 second-round pick Chris Braswell all 24 years or younger, Hughes’ veteran leadership would prove to be valuable in 2024.
