With so many free brokers within the waters, basic supervisor Jason Licht will consider which gamers could be finest in pink and pewter subsequent season. Throughout the board are positions the place he could make a splash signing, however Licht additionally enjoys dipping his toe within the water and coming away with cut price signings.
Instantly, one can level to the signing of out of doors linebacker Shaq Barrett in 2019 as the most important instance, however Tampa Bay additionally took an opportunity on signing quarterback Baker Mayfield to a prove-it deal in 2023. Fortunately, the workforce doesn’t must go trying to find a quarterback once more, however the roster might use one other Barrett-level signing.
Whereas some choices have been laid on the market, it’s also value different gamers who – whereas not the flashiest signings – are flying below the radar and might be potential bargains.
Veterans With A Monitor File Of Success
With the Bucs’ exterior linebacker room led by Yaya Diaby, it’s no secret that the protection wants established manufacturing. Diaby isn’t there but, however would one in every of these veteran choices have one thing left to spark Tampa Bay’s move rush?
DeMarcus Lawrence
Cowboys DE DeMarcus Lawrence – Picture by: USA At present
The oldest participant on this checklist, DeMarcus Lawrence is a free agent after spending his whole 11-year profession with the Cowboys. Lawrence has collected loads of statistics and accolades throughout that point, together with 4 Professional Bowl picks. Whereas the soon-to-be 33-year-old has a protracted monitor document of manufacturing, he is not going to make the identical in free company as Khalil Mack, one other free-agent veteran move rusher. Lawrence is way faraway from his 14.5-sack 2017 and 10.5-sack 2018 seasons that put his identify on the map. Since then, he has not topped 6.5 sacks in a season, but he stays a productive participant.
Accidents restricted him to only 4 video games in 2024, however he managed to amass three sacks. Professional Soccer Focus (PFF) grades should not the top all be all, however in 2023, he graded because the eighth-best edge rusher. Taking part in as a defensive finish in Dallas’ defensive scheme, the 6-foot-3, 265-pound participant nicknamed “Tank” has an all-around recreation predicated on getting within the backfield and disrupting the passer and working lanes.
On paper, he would slot in head coach Todd Bowles’ defensive scheme as an out of doors linebacker however extra as a chosen pass-rushing specialist at this level.
As a result of age and harm issues, Pewter Report’s Josh Queipo predicts a one-year deal for Lawrence round $4.5 million. For the worth and monitor document, he wouldn’t be a foul addition to see what he nonetheless has left within the tank (pun meant).
Preston Smith
Steelers OLB Preston Smith – Picture by: USA At present
Preston Smith was not in the marketplace till the Steelers launched him lower than every week in the past. Pittsburgh did it as a cap-saving transfer after buying him from the Packers, the place he spent the earlier 5 and a half seasons. Smith has a protracted monitor document of being a high quality participant. He has six eight-plus sacks seasons between 2015 and 2023. A constant participant who had a career-high 12 sacks in 2019, the 32-year-old is an imposing defensive presence. After enjoying simply 54% and 30% of the Packers and Steelers defensive snaps in 2024, he’s unlikely to have as huge of a job as he as soon as did for a protection who indicators him.
Nonetheless, Smith might be a veteran addition who would provide greater than Shaq Barrett at this level and extra pass-rushing upside than Anthony Nelson. Relying extra on method and energy than athleticism, he profiles finest as somebody who simply must be instructed to pin his ears again and get after opposing quarterbacks. A one-year deal value $6 million-$7 million is the vary to mission a deal for him.
Joey Bosa?
Chargers OLB Joey Bosa – Picture by: USA At present
With ESPN’s Dan Graziano suggesting that Joey Bosa is quickly to be launched by the Chargers, the veteran pass-rusher has loads of identify recognition because the older brother of 49ers defensive finish Nick Bosa. Earlier than his youthful brother turned an elite pass-rusher, he was the third total decide again within the 2016 NFL Draft. Bosa hit the bottom working successful AP Defensive Rookie of the 12 months and has 5 Professional Bowls to his identify, together with in 2024.
With a participant of his background, why will he not command a bigger payday?
Accidents.
Bosa was restricted to enjoying simply 5 video games in 2022 after struggling a groin harm and 9 video games in 2023 after being positioned on injured reserve with a sprained proper foot. Though he got here again and performed 14 video games final season, it was in a decreased function rotating into video games and enjoying simply 50% of defensive snaps as he handled minor again and hip illnesses. His latest harm historical past will hinder his means to land a giant deal, together with the actual fact he might be turning 30 years outdated in July.
A one-year contract for $8 million seems to be the ballpark to land his companies. Whereas he might nonetheless be an element and is a giant identify, don’t anticipate the Bucs to be keen on signing him until his market craters.
Promising Gamers Who Might Enhance On The Bucs
A veteran addition would carry credibility, however not essentially the manufacturing that after garnered them that popularity. A youthful participant additionally carries danger, however the potential payoff is touchdown a longer-term reply ala the Bucs signing Shaq Barrett again as a 27-year-old and seeing him spend 5 years in Tampa Bay as an elite move rusher earlier than his short-lived retirement.
Azeez Ojulari
Azeez Ojulari jumps out immediately as somebody who might thrive in a brand new setting moderately than being with the Giants. A second-round decide in 2021, Ojulari had a promising rookie 12 months with eight sacks. Taking part in simply seven video games the next season, he had 5.5 sacks. The additions of Kayvon Thibodeaux and Brian Burns put his trajectory on the again burner as he began simply 5 of 11 video games final season, recording six sacks.
There’s a motive to carry up these sack totals as they level to prolonged enjoying time permitting him to develop and grow to be a full-time starter. Coming into the league a bit undersized however extremely athletic, he’s nonetheless a 12 months youthful than Yaya Diaby. It makes plenty of sense to take an opportunity on him and see what it results in, particularly if the Bucs additionally make a much bigger transfer to shore up the place. At the moment, a projected two-year, $10 million deal would seemingly be what it takes to signal Ojulari and seems to be a cut price.
Okay’Lavon Chaisson
Raiders OLB Okay’Lavon Chaisson and Broncos QB Bo Nix – Picture by: USA At present
Okay’Lavion Chaisson may need earned the “bust” label early in his profession after flaming out with the Jaguars as a first-round decide of their infamously horrendous 2020 NFL Draft class. Chassion spent this previous season rebuilding his popularity with the Raiders. On a Las Vegas workforce devoid of plenty of expertise, he was tied because the workforce’s second-leading sacker behind Maxx Crosby with 5. That included a late-season run of 4 sacks over the past six video games as he was afforded a majority of the enjoying time.
He flashed promise and the potential that after made him so extremely regarded. This four-minute take a look at a few of his 2024 movie caught my eye. A one-year contract value $5 million is a stable forecast and the sneaky, shrewd sort of transfer that Jason Licht could be trying to make.
Michael Hoecht
Michael Hoecht is a enjoyable participant to take a look at right here. Hoecht was an undrafted free agent signed by the Rams and began as a defensive lineman. Listed at 6-foot-4 and 267 kilos, he initially match the invoice however transitioned to being an out of doors linebacker in the course of the 2022 season.
Hoecht then noticed the sector closely in 2023, enjoying 85% of the defensive snaps and recording 81 complete tackles and 6 sacks. He was a flexible chess piece in Los Angeles’ protection as somebody who can drop into protection, deal with the run nicely, and nonetheless get after the quarterback.
They’re going to say, “You don’t know ball” if you would like Michael Hoecht again with the Rams subsequent 12 months. I say, “you don’t know ball” in case you do not.
Play 1: Good rep vs. runPlay 2: Drops into hook zone to remove WR. Ends in a sack. pic.twitter.com/T6zeiEHxYT
A singular participant who would solely slot in sure defenses, one has to surprise if one in every of them is enjoying below Todd Bowles. Bowles deploys his exterior linebackers in several methods, and Hoecht might fill in throughout the line of defense within the defensive playcaller’s unique blitz and play designs. Like Azeez Ojulari or Okay’Lavon Chaisson, one can peg him to make about $6 million per 12 months.
– Pewter Report’s Josh Queipo contributed to this text with free company contract projections.
Watch The Newest Report Podcast Discussing The Bucs’ Edge Rusher Choices
If you wish to hear extra about these gamers and the opposite, bigger-name additions the Bucs might make in free company, Matt Matera and I mentioned all of the situations on Thursday’s Pewter Report Podcast.
