Josh Queipo’s Bucs Battle Plan For 2025

Explaining The Bucs Battle Plans For 2025

PewterReport.com writers Scott Reynolds, Matt Matera, Josh Queipo, Bailey Adams and Adam Slivon have devised their very own Bucs Plans for the 2025 offseason. These come full with their individualized free agent signings, trades, roster strikes and draft picks to hopefully assist Tampa Bay earn a playoff spot for the sixth straight 12 months.

Keep in mind, these Bucs Battle Plans are how the PewterReport.com workers members would reshape the workforce this offseason – not essentially what we expect Tampa Bay will do in free company and the draft, though there may very well be some overlap with sure gamers the workforce could also be concentrating on.

Josh Queipo’s Bucs Battle Plan For The 2025 Offseason

Bucs head coach Todd Bowles and ST coordinator Thomas McGaughey – Photograph by: Cliff Welch/PR

The NFC South is enhancing. The Falcons, and Panthers impulsively seem like they’ve their quarterbacks of the longer term to construct round. The Bucs are nonetheless within the driver’s seat of the division with essentially the most gifted roster and loads of cap flexibility, however they’ll must be sensible about maximizing their new Tremendous Bowl window. There is a chance so as to add premium and complementary expertise to a workforce that’s already one of many higher rosters within the NFC to get them over-the-hump.

I’ve 4 priorities this offseason. 1) Infuse the protection with expertise at each stage and at each the highest and backside of the roster. 2) Flood the within linebacker room. 3) Stop complacency on the offensive facet of the ball. 4) Be ready to capitalize on worth for long-term progress even when there may be not a short-term want.

I’m additionally basing this on a hypothetical funds of $305 million in money spending for the 12 months.

Bucs Contract Restructures

S Antoine Winfield Jr. – $14,872,500 cap savedLT Tristan Wirfs – $19,864,000 cap savedK Chase McLaughlin – $1,165,000 cap savedQB Baker Mayfield – $21,558,750 cap saved

Bucs Cuts

S Jordan Whitehead – This transfer saves the Bucs $4.5 million in wage cap house with no useless cash. It was already reported that Tampa Bay made this determination as nicely. The damage considerations surrounding Whitehead in his neck stemming from his late season automobile accident are the largest driver of this determination for me.

Bucs Trades

CB Jamel Dean, Second-Spherical Choose For DE Trey Hendrickson – This was a troublesome determination for me, and I think about it is going to be equally troublesome for the Bucs. Dean is a gifted nook when wholesome. One of many 20 greatest within the NFL for my part. However the damage considerations are actual, and the cash saved – not cap house, however precise {dollars} spent – will assist carry within the alternative I bear in mind for him.

I package deal Dean and the Bucs second-round decide, No. 53 general, and ship them to the Bengals for star edge rusher Trey Hendrickson. That deal can be contingent on an extension for Hendrickson, which I’ve projected at three years for $82.5 million.

Unrestricted Free Brokers Re-Signed

WR Chris Godwin – 3 years, $57 million

Bucs WR Chris Godwin – Photograph by: Cliff Welch/PR

Godwin was enjoying at one of many highest ranges of his profession earlier than he dislocated his ankle in Week 8. I’m going to wager on his resolve and character that he would return to a high-level of play. Although I do suppose he’s in all probability by no means getting again to his greatest play. The deal is brief sufficient and for an affordable amount of cash, it might at present rank twenty third amongst lively receiver contracts in APY, that I be ok with the chance general.

I additionally get this deal completed previous to the March twelfth void date on Godwin’s deal serving to to push again $11.318 million of his would-be useless cap from his earlier deal into future years and serving to the Bucs in 2025 from a cap perspective.

LG Ben Bredeson – 1 12 months, $5 million

Bredeson is the proper participant to get you by when you search for upgrades. He presents the chance for continuity throughout the offensive line, with a stable ground. However the funding doesn’t preclude me from discovering a greater choice in free company or the draft, or letting 2024 sixth-round decide Elijah Klein beat him out in coaching camp. If that occurs, he’s a well-paid backup with positional flexibility. That’s an excellent factor to have!

QB Kyle Trask – 1 12 months, $4 million

Trask is accustomed to the terminology and the workforce. He hasn’t completed something to not preserve the backup job. And he’s appeared stable in preseason motion. I’d belief him to steer the ship if Baker Mayfield had been to overlook a sport or two.

OT Justin Skule – 1 12 months, $1.5 million

Regardless of a tough debut in 2024 towards Aidan Hutchinson in Week 2, Skule proved he is without doubt one of the higher swing tackles within the NFL final 12 months filling in for each Tristan Wirfs and Luke Goedeke. A superb backup lineman is difficult to seek out. And I wish to preserve the one the Bucs have already got.

WR Sterling Shepard – 1 12 months, $1.65 million

Bucs WR Sterling Shepard – Photograph by: USA At the moment

Shepard could worsen some followers, however he was an underrated a part of the Bucs offense final 12 months, doing a lot of the soiled work and getting open far more usually than he was given credit score for. That’s an excellent depth piece that helps out if you least anticipate it.

CB Tavierre Thomas – 1 12 months, $1.5 million

Thomas proved to be a particular groups ace final 12 months. And the Bucs improved in that space significantly outdoors of their punter troubles. I need Thomas main one other improved unit in 2025.

G Royce Newman – 1 12 months, $1.17 million

The offensive line market this offseason is slim pickings. Newman wasn’t wanted final 12 months as a result of Bredeson and Cody Mauch each went wire-to-wire. However he brings beginning expertise and respectable draft pedigree as a depth piece.

Unrestricted Free Brokers Not Re-Signed

LB Lavonte David (Retired)DL Adam GostsisDL Greg GainesDL Will GholstonRB Chase EdmondsC Robert HainseyOLB Joe Tryon ShoyinkaOLB Anthony NelsonOLB Shaq BarrettCB Troy HillILB Ok.J. BrittS Mike EdwardsS Ryan NealCB Bryce HallOL Sua OpetaDL Eric Banks

Restricted/Unique Rights Free Brokers Re-Signed

ILB J.J. Russell

Outdoors of Lavonte David, Russell contributed the most effective linebacker play for the workforce down the stretch final 12 months. Bringing him again is an unguaranteed dedication to assist shore up depth on the roster. It doesn’t assure a roster spot in the long run, although.

S Kaevon Merriweather

Merriweather lacks the agility to be a dependable starter at security, however very similar to Russell I’m bringing him again for depth/insurance coverage. My hope is to raise the roster, however having Merriweather because the 54rd man on the roster wouldn’t be horrible.

New Unrestricted Free Brokers Signed

CB Paulson Adebo – 2 years, $24 million

Adebo is considered one of my large upside signings. His 2023 play had him set to be one of many highest-paid corners within the NFL this offseason. Sadly for Adebo, he had a down 2024 that included some accidents. His misfortune in 2024 offers an enormous alternative for my model of the Bucs in 2025. Adebo matches the dimensions and size parameters the Bucs search for in a fringe nook and he’s adept as each a person protection and as a deep third Cowl 3 participant as nicely. The most effective half is I believe I can get him for 2 years at a mid-tier charge at $12 million per season with a chance to increase him subsequent 12 months if he does nicely.

ILB Jamien Sherwood – 3 years, $32 million

Jets ILB Jamien Sherwood – Photograph by: USA At the moment

Sherwood is a do-it-all backer that may work because the spine of the unit. Sherwood earned a beginning spot in a gifted linebacker room final 12 months working in a Robert Saleh protection that asks a whole lot of his middle-of-the-field defenders. Sherwood was greater than as much as the duty. It’s my wager that he can do the identical for the Bucs.

DT Poona Ford – 2 years, $13 million

Ford has labored on a string of low-cost, one-year offers over the previous a number of years and he has always outperformed them. This previous 12 months has been considered one of his greatest, placing him in place to get a extra profitable deal. Nonetheless, this doesn’t symbolize a breaking of the financial institution. He offers an improve over Greg Gaines as a flexible run-stuffer who can push the pocket. Ford had 25 pressures and 23 defensive stops final 12 months.

ILB Tyrel Dodson – 3 years, $16.5 million

Dodson is without doubt one of the greatest protection linebackers within the NFL for my part. The Seahawks ejected him midseason as a result of they’d intensive issues in run protection and, admittedly, it isn’t Dodson’s sturdy go well with. However the Bucs have a robust run defending core as it’s, and I’m trying to enhance the protection and athleticism talents of the linebacker room. Moreover, Dodson is a gifted downhill participant who can play the Devin White function in Todd Bowles’ protection as a mugged-up go rusher. He has a profession 23.7% stress charge.

CB Nate Hobbs – 2 years, $9 million

I’ve developed an affinity for Hobbs’ play over the previous few weeks as I’ve been researching potential choices. Hobbs is all the things one may need in a contemporary slot nook. He’s an excellent tackler, a stable and keen run defender. He performs screens nicely, pushing by means of receiver blocks to blow performs up within the backfield. Hobbs is task sound and instinctive in protection. He additionally provides the Bucs the flexibility to push Tykee Smith as much as security.

S Jason Pinnock – 1 12 months, $4 million

Pinnock is a buy-low candidate with beginning expertise and good tape on his resume. He’s greatest when working downhill as a field security given the chance to make performs close to or behind the road of scrimmage. The Bucs protection is without doubt one of the greatest within the league to maximise his abilities. He offers depth for the defensive secondary that suffered in that space final 12 months.

CB Noah Igbinoghene – 1 12 months, $3.5 million

Igbinoghene was over-drafted within the first 12 months a number of years in the past. He’s not a starter, however he’s not misplaced on the sphere and has good athleticism. At minimal he presents an elevated athlete and participant than Josh Hayes and Tyrek Funderburk. An enchancment in depth!

WR Josh Palmer – 1 12 months, $3 million

The one factor lacking from the Bucs’ offense final 12 months was a constant field-stretching risk. Tampa Bay hoped they’d that with Trey Palmer, however he fell out of favor with the workforce regardless of alternatives opening up as a consequence of accidents to Chris Godwin and Mike Evans.

Whereas not a velocity demon, Palmer has confirmed to be a constant deep risk over his four-year profession. Over 25% of his targets have been of 20+ air yards over the previous two years and he has a profession 42% catch charge on these deep passes, together with a 40% contested catch charge. Palmer generally is a specialised function participant designed to win deep and open up the intermediate areas for Mike Evans and Chris Godwin.

OLB Josh Uche – 1 12 months, $3 million

Chiefs edge rusher Josh Uche – Photograph by: USA At the moment

I put Uche in my Bucs Battle Plan final 12 months. Few edge rushers on the open market present the potential upside of Uche, who can nonetheless win the sting with bend and athleticism. His stress charge final 12 months was nonetheless and spectacular 13.5% in restricted motion with New England earlier than Kansas Metropolis all however shelved him after buying and selling for him on the deadline.

Uche continues to be simply 26 years outdated and represents the most effective alternative to discover a Shaq Barrett-like breakout that I can discover.

P Riley Dixon – 1 12 months, $2.15 million

The Bucs had a punting downside final 12 months. Reasonably than taking an opportunity on one other unproven choice I wish to seize probably the greatest punters out there. Dixon ranked thirteenth within the NFL final 12 months in EPA/punt.

Ultimate punter rankings of the 12 months (minimal 10 punts)! pic.twitter.com/j8vYRLEvrf

For simply over $2 million I’m signing up for barely above common play.

C Nick Harris – 1 12 months, $1.5 million

Harris is at his greatest transferring in house. That’s one thing I believe the Bucs will put a premium on for his or her backup offensive linemen contemplating they had been at their greatest final 12 months working counter and pin and pull sort run ideas. Harris has that in him as a backup.

Queipo’s 2025 Bucs Draft Picks

This 12 months I used draft consensus boards to assist inform my draft. Whereas it’s not excellent, it provides me a way of the place the general pondering of the place gamers can be out there. And general, I may see every of those gamers being out there the place the Bucs decide. Remember I traded the Bucs’ second-round decide, No. 53 general, to the Bengals as part of the Trey Hendrickson/Jamel Dean deal.

Spherical 1 – Boston Faculty OLB Donovan Ezeiruaku • 6-3, 248 • Senior

Boston Faculty edge rusher Donovan Ezeieruaku – Photograph by: USA At the moment

With Trey Hendrickson, Tyrel Dodson, Jamien Sherwood, Nate Hobbs and Paulson Adebo within the fold I really feel nice about going greatest participant out there at decide No. 19. Whereas Hendrickson provides the Bucs an alpha edge within the short-term, he’s over 30 and a drop-off may occur rapidly. I wish to hedge towards that with one other throw on the dartboard. Ezeiruaku brings a improbable mix of arm size, athleticism, go rush plan, manufacturing, motor and charisma. He’s probably the greatest edge rushers on this draft class and provides Tampa Bay one other bullet within the chamber to get to the passer with 4.

You possibly can watch Ezeiruaku’s highlights right here.

Spherical 2 – Traded to Cincinnati for OLB Trey Hendrickson

Spherical 3 – Iowa State CB Darien Porter • 6-3, 195 • Senior

The Bucs suffered from a scarcity of depth at cornerback final 12 months. Josh Hayes and Tyrek Funderburk had been victimized repeatedly once they had been on the sphere. Tampa Bay has proven a capability to develop extraordinarily athletic cornerbacks. Porter is, like Jamel Dean and Zyon McCollum, an athletic freak with surprisingly spectacular, if uncooked, tape. His size and velocity make him an intriguing developmental participant who could make a direct affect on particular groups.

You possibly can watch Porter’s highlights right here.

Spherical 4 – Maryland WR Tai Felton • 6-1, 183 • Senior

Felton is a speedy receiver who can add worth as a area stretcher in addition to on manufactured touches. Previous to an damage sustained in Week 5 final 12 months he was one of the vital productive receivers in school soccer. He can act as an inheritor obvious to Palmer because the deep risk within the offense. Within the meantime, Felton can get on the sphere as a display screen/YAC choice. His wiry body may stand so as to add a couple of kilos that might hopefully enable him to enhance his play power which might be key to his growth.

You possibly can watch Felton’s highlights right here.

Spherical 5 – Cal LB Teddye Buchanan • 6-2, 233 • Senior

Buchanan did a ton for his draft inventory when he became one of many standout performers on the NFL Scouting Mix. The beneath submit was highlighting Jihaad Campbell, however you will note Buchanan close to the highest of each a type of lists.

no thought if it’s significant, however loopy work from jihaad campbell in positional drills. he additionally had the 2nd-best velocity at 5 yards (14.11 MPH), suggesting that regardless that we don’t have agilities, his stop-start means is elite pic.twitter.com/PwrE18ghBN

Buchanan performs along with his hair on hearth as a downhill thumper with a low missed deal with charge and a penchant for creating performs on the ball. He didn’t fall off with a soar in competitors when he moved from UC Davis to Cal final 12 months. Like Porter, he can have a direct affect on particular groups whereas the Bucs develop him behind the scenes. And if he’s pushed onto the sphere as a consequence of accidents, Buchanan can transfer nicely sufficient to be an improve over final 12 months’s crop of backups.

You possibly can watch Buchanan’s highlights right here.

Spherical 7 –Rutgers LB Tyreem Powell • 6-4, 239 • Senior

Should you had been to lookup Powell’s Professional Soccer Focus grades you may suppose me loopy to draft him. However the tall linebacker has among the greatest protection tape on this draft class. I encourage you to look at him towards Washington. Mix that with the true reside thump he delivers on hits, and he makes for an intriguing prospect to select up late within the draft that permits me to double up on a place that requires dart throws. Between him and Buchanan, I really feel like one will hit as an eventual starter.

You possibly can watch Powell’s highlights right here.

UDFA –Louisville IDL Thor Griffith • 6-2, 320 • Senior

Griffith was a participant me and Scott Reynolds had as part of our 2025 7-Spherical Bucs Mock Draft 2.0. Nevertheless, regardless of being part of Bruce Feldman’s “Freaks List” Griffith continues to be famous in the direction of the again of most analysts’ large boards as a consequence of appreciable depth on the place on this draft class and at present seems to be to be a possible undrafted free agent. If that’s the case, he can be a precedence for me to signal minutes after the conclusion of the draft. The physicality, hole penetration, power, smarts and athleticism are an intriguing mix that I’d wish to attempt to harness.

You possibly can watch Griffith’s highlights right here.

Queipo’s “Way Too Early” Bucs 53-Man Roster Projection

QUARTERBACKS – 3

Baker MayfieldKyle TraskMichael Pratt

Bucs QB Baker Mayfield- Photograph by: USA At the moment

Evaluation: Mayfield is coming off of his greatest season as a professional and I totally commit with the contract restructure, tying my model of the Bucs to Mayfield by means of 2026. Trask is a stable backup who’s accustomed to the playbook and the locker room. Pratt is the developmental, long-term backup poised to maneuver into Trasks function in 2026.

RUNNING BACKS – 3

Bucky IrvingRachaad WhiteSean Tucker

Evaluation: This was probably the greatest working again rooms within the NFL final 12 months and I preserve it intact.

WIDE RECEIVERS – 6

Mike EvansChris GodwinJalen McMillanJosh PalmerTai FeltonKameron Johnson

Evaluation: Palmer and Felton are introduced in to attempt to add a greater vertical factor than final 12 months and open up the underneath-to-intermediate for Evans/Godwin/McMillan. Johnson is saved in hopes he can return to well being and unlock his gadget upside.

TIGHT ENDS – 3

Cade OttonPayne DurhamDevin Culp

Evaluation: Durham took a step ahead final 12 months and Culp had an thrilling finish to the season. I give each extra alternatives this 12 months. Otton’s extension represents an funding in his progress as each a go catcher and a blocker. I believe he’s a prime 12 tight finish within the league at this level.

OFFENSIVE LINE – 10

LT Tristan WirfsLG Ben BredesonC Graham BartonRG Cody MauchRT Luke GoedekeOL Elijah KleinOL Luke HaggardG Royce NewmanOT Justin SkuleC Nick Harris

Bucs RG Cody Mauch and C Graham Barton – Photograph by: Cliff Welch P/R

Evaluation: I preserve continuity alongside the beginning entrance but in addition give a chance for Klein to beat Bredeson out for the beginning left guard spot. Skule, Newman and Harris give me religion that if any starter had been to be misplaced for a sport or two, they might fill in nicely sufficient to get the offense by.

DEFENSIVE LINE – 5

Vita VeaCalijah KanceyPoona FordLogan HallThor Griffith

Evaluation: The addition of Ford makes me really feel higher in regards to the upside of the second line and Griffith provides me an athletic, excessive upside piece for the longer term, not in contrast to Devin Culp final 12 months. This group can rotate in a number of methods to maintain Vea recent.

OUTSIDE LINEBACKERS – 5

Trey HendricksonYaya DiabyDonovan EzeiruakuChris BraswellJosh Uche

Evaluation: This is without doubt one of the two place teams I’m most happy with. I like this depth chart 5 deep. The most effective defenses within the NFL can get to the passer with 4 and are extremely deep. Consider the 49ers, Jets and Eagles over the previous a number of seasons. This group has potential starters up and down with a confirmed high-end veteran in Hendrickson main the cost. Behind him you’ve gotten younger, traitsy go rushers in Diaby, Braswell and Ezeiruaku all a 12 months aside of their growth. Cap it off with a former 10-sack participant who nonetheless exhibits nice tape in Uche on an inexpensive contract. I’ll take it!

INSIDE LINEBACKERS – 5

Jamien SherwoodTyrel DodsonSirVocea DennisTeddye BuchananTyreem Powell

Dolphins LB Tyrel Dodson – Photograph by: USA At the moment

Evaluation: That is the opposite place group I’m particularly enthusiastic about. It’s totally rebuilt from 2024. Sherwood and Dodson ought to add stability and improved athleticism to the room. Dennis is again so as to add protection means to the doable outcomes. Buchanan and Powell are core particular teamers who can develop behind the scenes for the longer term.

CORNERBACKS – 5

Zyon McCollumPaulson AdeboNate HobbsDarien PorterNoah Igbinoghene

Evaluation: One other room I’ve tried to flood with a mix of draft picks and upside free brokers in an effort to hedge towards accidents and poor play. McCollum leads the way in which after a breakout season in 2024 the place he was one of many league leaders in go breakups and compelled incompletions. Adebo has a chance to re-establish worth and kind one of many higher cornerback duos within the NFL. Hobbs provides positional flexibility whereas Igbinoghene and Porter present a mix of athleticism, upside and expertise to spherical out the depth chart.

SAFETIES – 5

Antoine Winfield Jr.Tykee SmithChristian IzienJason PinnockKaevon Merriweather

Evaluation: Smith compliments Winfield and permits each to maneuver up or down the sphere as chess items. Izien and Pinnock function skilled backups who’ve loads of begins below their belt to hedge for accidents. Merriweather had some actually stable play final 12 months on the finish of the season and is a stable 53rd man.

SPECIALISTS – 3

Ok Chase McLaughlinP Riley DixonLS Evan Deckers

Evaluation: McLaughlin and Deckers each carried out extraordinarily nicely final 12 months and keep. Dixon offers stability at punter that the Bucs have lacked for the previous few seasons.

What Did You Suppose?

  Did you want my Bucs Battle Plan for the 2025 offseason? Does it adequately tackle Tampa Bay’s wants? Which additions did you want greatest? Let me know what you suppose within the article feedback part beneath.

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