Bucs director of participant personnel Rob McCartney and G.M. Jason Licht – Photograph by: Cliff Welch/PR
INTRO: Bucs followers need common supervisor Jason Licht and head coach Todd Bowles to be aggressive in free company so as to add gamers that can assist the protection enhance and make a critical push for the Tremendous Bowl in 2025. Tampa Bay is likely to be aggressive in free company, however the group is probably not aggressive in the best way that you simply suppose. Previous to heading to Indianapolis for every week’s value of pre-draft protection I wished to set the desk – and maybe set expectations – for Bucs free company, which begins in a couple of weeks. Get pleasure from!
FAB 1. Bucs Free Company Strategy Might Not Be What You Count on
Your definition of a profitable free agent signing and Jason Licht’s definition of a profitable free agent signing are in all probability two various things.
If you say Josh Sweat, I’m guessing Licht thinks of cross rusher Michael Johnson, who signed a five-year deal value $43.75 million with the Bucs in 2014.
If you say Charvarius Ward, I believe Licht thinks of cornerback Alterraun Verner, who signed a four-year, $25.75 million take care of Tampa Bay in 2014.
If you say Zack Baun, Licht is likely to be pondering of inside linebacker Bruce Carter, who signed a four-year, $17 million take care of the Bucs in 2015.
Do you need to know what Licht’s definition of a profitable free agent signing is?
Bucs QB Baker Mayfield and GM Jason Licht – Photograph by: Scott Reynolds/PR
It’s not essentially signings.
It’s re-signings.
It’s paying cash – generally high greenback – to Buccaneers who’ve already confirmed themselves in pink and pewter.
It’s re-signing nice gamers like Ali Marpet, Lavonte David, Mike Evans, Shaq Barrett, Chris Godwin and Vita Vea over time, and much more not too long ago with the likes of Baker Mayfield, Tristan Wirfs and Antoine Winfield Jr., whom the group is anticipating a giant, bounce-back 12 months from in 2025.
So when 2025 NFL free company begins on Monday, March 10 with the beginning of the open negotiating interval and begins in earnest on Wednesday, March 12 with gamers free to signal with different groups perceive that the Bucs is likely to be extra lively in signing free brokers this 12 months. It simply won’t be the sorts of free brokers you hope for and anticipate.
Licht has instructed me earlier than that he hates free company, however he loves rewarding confirmed performers. And he’s grown to like one-year, prove-it offers like Barrett and Mayfield first performed on after they arrived in Tampa Bay.
The free agent splash gamers sometimes don’t work out.
Bucs DT Chris Baker, GM Jason Licht & WR DeSean Jackson – Photograph by: Cliff Welch/PR
Licht has signed loads of them in his 11 years as common supervisor, however far fewer not too long ago. He’s discovered his lesson the exhausting manner with the likes of Johnson, Verner and Carter, along with left deal with Anthony Collins, who signed a five-year, $30 million deal in 2014, however lasted only one season as a result of he was a turd.
Defensive deal with Chris “Swaggy” Baker was additionally a turd who additionally lasted only one 12 months after inking a three-year, $15.75 million contract in 2017. That very same 12 months, Licht signed extensive receiver DeSean Jackson to a two-year, $23.5 million contract and the outcomes had been lackluster. Jackson didn’t hit 800 yards in both season in Tampa Bay and averaged 45 catches for 721 yards and three touchdowns from 2017-18. The Bucs traded him away within the 2019 offseason after a pair of 5-11 seasons.
Licht’s massive free agent splashes who truly hit over the past decade? Middle Ryan Jensen in 2018, defensive deal with Ndamukong Suh in 2019 and quarterback Tom Brady in 2020. All three of these former Bucs earned no less than $9 million per season.
However that’s it – that’s the checklist.
The final time Licht tried to make a giant splash signing with an imported free agent was extensive receiver Russell Gage in 2021, who signed a three-year deal value $30 million. It turned out to be a horrible transfer in hindsight and a waste of cash.
So why ask Licht, director of participant personnel Rob McCartney and the Bucs’ brass to do one thing that hardly ever works? Not simply in Tampa Bay, however hardly ever works across the league, too?
Bucs director of participant personnel Rob McCartney – Photograph by: Cliff Welch/PR
Licht and his personnel employees and scouts do a much better job within the draft, which has confirmed to be far much less dangerous than free company – particularly with some stellar draft courses over the previous couple of years which have produced a ton of high quality starters on rookie contracts.
I simply need to offer you some affordable expectations with regards to Tampa Bay’s upcoming free company foray in a couple of weeks. Your definition of “all in” this 12 months goes to be completely different than Jason Licht’s model of “all in.”
That’s to not say that there received’t be a giant title signing in free company, as I believe a participant like Ward or inside linebacker Dre Greenlaw can be a fantastic slot in Tampa Bay. Particularly if Greenlaw got here on an inexpensive, one-year prove-it deal, contemplating he missed most of 2024 recovering from an Achilles damage throughout the Tremendous Bowl the 12 months prior.
However there’s a manner that the Bucs can go “all-in” with a far much less dangerous method. In some methods, it’s what the Eagles did final 12 months in free company en path to profitable the Tremendous Bowl. Learn Fab 2 for these particulars.
FAB 2. Free Agent Classes Discovered From The Tremendous Bowl Champion Eagles
Folks level to the Eagles as a group that went “all in” on the Tremendous Bowl in 2024 in free company, however the actuality is that Philadelphia had drafted exceptionally properly over the earlier three seasons to construct the nucleus of the Tremendous Bowl roster after which hit on a few free brokers as dietary supplements.
Bucs ILB Devin White – Photograph by: Cliff Welch/PR
There isn’t any doubt that operating again Saquon Barkley, defensive again C.J. Gardner-Johnson and inside linebacker Zack Baun had been large hits. However Barkley and Gardner-Johnson had been the one splash signings that hit.
Gardner-Johnson signed a three-year deal value $33 million and Barkley signed a three-year deal value $37.75 million. However many neglect that that Philly additionally signed 25-year previous edge rusher Bryce Huff to a three-year contract value $51.1 million – a median of $17 million per season.
Huff, who was coming off a 10-sack season with the Jets, was a bust with the Eagles, delivering simply 13 tackles and a couple of.5 sacks in 2024. He was so dangerous that he solely noticed motion in 12 video games – and was a wholesome scratch for Tremendous Bowl LIX.
Baun wasn’t even the large splash linebacker signing in Philly final offseason. That was former Bucs linebacker Devin White, who signed a one-year deal value $7.5 million. Baun’s deal was solely one-year for $3.5 million and he changed into the Eagles’ equal of what Shaq Barrett was with the Bucs in 2019.
But Baun beat out White, who was launched in September with out ever enjoying a down in inexperienced and white. White couldn’t even beat out Oren Burks, one other inside linebacker who was signed to an inexpensive, one-year prove-it deal in free company for simply $1.125 million. When Nakobe Dean went on injured reserve, it was Burks and Baun who helped Philadelphia win the Tremendous Bowl.
Eagles LB Zack Baun – Photograph by: USA Right now
However these gamers – Barkley, Gardner-Johnson, Huff, White, Baun, Burks – weren’t the one free brokers the Eagles signed final 12 months. Common supervisor Howie Roseman additionally signed middle Matt Hennessy, defensive deal with P.J. Mustipher, cornerback Tyler Corridor, quarterback Will Grier, tight finish C.J. Uzomah and extensive receiver Parris Campbell. Hennessey, Mustipher, Corridor, Grier and White didn’t make the group. So practically half of the free brokers the Eagles signed didn’t even make the 53-man roster.
Uzomah didn’t make a lot of an affect and completed the 12 months on injured reserve. Campbell was minimize on August 27 and signed to the Eagles apply squad. He was then promoted to the lively roster in October.
Broad receiver DeVante Parker was additionally a brand new free agent addition, however he retired on Might 20 after being signed to a one-year deal on March 14.
So out of 13 free agent signings, solely 4 had been true hits in Barkley, Gardner-Johnson, Baun and Burks. And a kind of 4, Burks, didn’t emerge as a starter till Dean went on I.R. at midseason.
The Eagles’ largest free agent signing, Huff, proved to be the most important flop in 2024.
Eagles Free Agent Hits In 2024
RB Saquon BarkleyDB C.J. Gardner-JohnsonILB Zack BaunILB Oren Burks
Eagles Free Company Misses In 2024
DE Bryce HuffILB Devin WhiteC Matt HennessyDT P.J. Mustipher CB Tyler HallQB Will GrierTE C.J. UzomahWR Parris CampbellWR DeVante Parker
So what can common supervisor Jason Licht and the Bucs be taught from the Eagles? It’s higher to flood your group with a bunch of lesser free brokers on one-year prove-it offers as a result of each free agent signing just isn’t going to be a success. Actually, most received’t be hits. The prime instance in Philly was at inside linebacker with White, Baun and Burks.
It’s far inexpensive when a group misses with this method, and with a number of, low-risk free brokers signed in a shotgun method, it solely will increase the possibilities of touchdown a uncommon hit.
FAB 3. Bucs Ought to Flood A number of Positions In Free Company
Who would you fairly have in free company – Philadelphia All-Professional inside linebacker Zack Baun for round $14 million per 12 months over three years, or Lavonte David, Dolphins linebacker Tyrell Dodson and Raiders linebacker Divine Deablo – every on a one-year take care of all three contracts totaling about $13 million?
Jets ILB Jamien Sherwood – Photograph by: USA Right now
For the value of 1 potential celebrity, the 28-year previous Baun, who had one nice season with the Eagles final 12 months, the Bucs might re-sign the 35-year previous legend in David and add the 26-year previous Dodson and take an opportunity on a really athletic 26-year previous in Deablo who could want a change of surroundings.
I’d be much more eager about Jets linebacker Jamien Sherwood, 25, as an alternative of Dodson if his price ticket was nearer to $7.5 million than $10 million. However swap Sherwood in for Dodson and the Bucs might have him, David and Deablo for possible round $15 million.
If one had a crystal ball and will see into the longer term and know that Baun can be simply nearly as good in Todd Bowles’ scheme as he was in Vic Fangio’s scheme, then Baun can be the simple decide in free company, proper?
However Jason Licht doesn’t have a crystal ball. Nobody does.
If Baun seems to be a one-year surprise in a contract 12 months and is a bust in Tampa Bay, then the Bucs’ inside linebacker place continues to be an enormous drawback space in 2025. Signing a number of free brokers improves the possibilities of touchdown on one or two who can truly play.
As a substitute of including one free agent linebacker to a room that at present has SirVocea Dennis, Deion Jones and Antonio Grier Jr. and certain J.J. Russell, who shall be an unique rights free agent and certain re-signed, why not make it an absolute battle royale by way of competitors with three new veteran additions – or on this case, two newcomers together with David’s return?
Dolphins LB Tyrel Dodson – Photograph by: USA Right now
Sherwood has had one 12 months as a full-time starter in New York, nevertheless it was a doozy. He had 158 tackles, together with an NFL-high 98 solo stops, together with 10 tackles for loss, two sacks and three compelled fumbles. At 6-foot-2, 225 kilos, and with 4.76 velocity, Sherwood isn’t a match for each scheme. He’s a comparatively underpublicized linebacker who might fetch anyplace from $7.5 million to over $10 million per 12 months in free company on account of his age (25), manufacturing and upside.
The 26-year previous Dodson is thought for his protection means, evidenced by 82.9 and 88.4 protection grades over the past two years, in line with Professional Soccer Focus. After 4 years in Buffalo, he signed with Seattle after which was traded to Miami throughout the season. He had three interceptions in 5 video games with the Dolphins, however struggles to shed blocks within the operating sport. Nonetheless, he’ll possible be cheaper than Sherwood at between $4 million – $5 million per season, and is quicker with 4.6 velocity.
Deablo, who was an All-ACC robust security at Virginia Tech at 6-foot-3, 223 kilos, has 4.45 velocity and strong protection expertise. The previous third-round decide has been a two-year starter in Las Vegas the place he’s had 169 tackles, two sacks, 4 passes defensed and eight tackles for loss and a fumble restoration over the past two seasons. Give this athletic, 26-year previous a one-year, prove-it deal value $1.85 million and see if a change of surroundings can take his sport to a different stage.
Having David, Dodson/Sherwood, SirVocea Dennis and Deablo competing with Deion Jones, J.J. Russell and Antonio Grier Jr. for 4 roster spots appears like a a lot better and extra athletic linebacker room.
Tampa Bay might use this quantity method at different areas of want on protection in free company, together with outdoors linebacker and cornerback.
Raiders CB Nate Hobbs – Photograph by: USA Right now
Whereas signing 49ers cornerback Charvarius Ward is likely to be a really strong concept, he’ll value the Bucs near $14.5 million per 12 months. The group might signal Buffalo cornerback Rasul Douglas for a median of $11 million per 12 months and hope he rounds again into type like he performed with the Packers from 2021-23. And Tampa Bay might additionally signal Raiders cornerback Nate Hobbs to a one-year, prove-it deal value round $2.6 million and get two veteran defensive backs as an alternative of 1 in free company.
A cornerback place that features Zyon McCollum, Douglas, Hobbs and a rookie through a premium draft decide can be a really strong four-deep on the place.
I’m undecided that the Bucs shall be pursuing Eagles edge rusher Josh Sweat or growing older Chargers star Khalil Mack in free company due to their hefty value tags. However Tampa Bay might goal Chiefs edge rusher Josh Uche for round $3 million and hope {that a} change of surroundings might flip him into the subsequent Shaq Barrett. After which pursue the 26-year previous athletic Raiders edge rusher Okay’Lavon Chaisson with a one-year, prove-it deal value $1.25 and hope for a similar end result.
Yaya Diaby and Chris Braswell can be locks to make the group, after which Uche and Chaisson might compete with Anthony Nelson, who’s prone to re-sign, together with holdovers Markees Watts and Jose Ramirez for the ultimate three roster spots. Then draft one other edge rusher with a premium draft decide and make it much more aggressive.
That’s how a “flood it” technique in free company – in addition to the draft – might work this offseason at inside linebacker, cornerback and outdoors linebacker with out crushing the Bucs’ wage cap.
But when I used to be Licht and I used to be going to signal one splash free agent, I’d select Ward as he’s confirmed he generally is a superb cornerback in two stops already in Kansas Metropolis, the group that drafted him, and San Francisco. I wrote about Ward on this week’s PR Roundtable.
FAB 4. The Sneaky Free Agent The Bucs Ought to Signal
I believe that the Bucs will transfer on from veteran defensive deal with Will Gholston this offseason. Gholston turns 34 in July and is dropping a step. There’s a likelihood that the Bucs will re-sign fellow reserve defensive deal with Greg Gaines to a different low cost, one-year deal. Gaines is sweet pals with Vita Vea and each had been school teammates collectively at Washington.
However the Bucs might use an improve of expertise on the backside of the defensive deal with depth chart.
Chargers DT Poona Ford – Photograph by: USA Right now
The group has two wonderful starters Vita Vea, who made the Professional Bowl in 2024, and Calijah Kancey, who was the group’s main sacker with 7.5 final 12 months. Logan Corridor figures to be DT3 as soon as once more in 2025, particularly after recording a career-high 5.5 sacks in a breakout 12 months. Now, Corridor is getting into a contract 12 months and will value himself out of Tampa Bay with one other strong season.
The Bucs ought to lean into an extremely deep defensive deal with draft this 12 months and draft Corridor’s eventual substitute. However the Bucs also needs to shore up the place in free company with the signing of veteran Poona Ford, who’s coming off rebound 12 months in his first season with the Chargers.
Ford, who simply turned 29, might possible be had for a one-year, $6.5 million deal. His addition can be value it to bolster Tampa Bay’s depth chart at defensive deal with in case of an damage to Vea or Kancey.
Having Vea, Kancey, Corridor and Ford as the highest 4 defensive tackles on the depth chart together with Gaines as DT5 and a rookie would make the place the deepest on the depth chart. And if Ford proves to be match, he might be signed once more in 2026 – maybe to exchange Gaines subsequent 12 months in free company.
Ford is 5-foot-11, 310 kilos and is coming off a 39-tackle, three-sack season that additionally included a career-high eight tackles for loss and 5 cross breakups, along with his first profession interception. Including Ford could seem to be a luxurious proper now, nevertheless it’s an reasonably priced luxurious with a modest price ticket and safeguards the place in case there’s a rash of accidents that strike defensive deal with the best way the secondary was ravaged with accidents final 12 months in Tampa Bay.
FAB 5. Pewter Report Will Be Stay At The NFL Scouting Mix
The Pewter Reporters shall be reporting dwell from Indianapolis subsequent week on the NFL Scouting Mix. We shall be touring to Indy on Monday, so there received’t be a Pewter Report Podcast till Tuesday at 4:00 p.m. ET when the Pewter Report employees will react to Jason Licht’s and Todd Bowles’ press conferences.
Ensure you tune in to our PewterReportTV YouTube channel for our podcasts from Indianapolis all subsequent week:
Tuesday 4:00pm ET: Jason Licht/Todd Bowles Press Convention ReactionWednesday 4:00pm ET: DL/LB CoverageThursday 4:00pm ET: DB/TE CoverageFriday 4:00pm ET: RB/WR/QB Protection
And you’ll want to go to PewterReport.com all week for Bucs draft and free company protection, in addition to our Bucs Mix Interview Tracker, which is able to start on Wednesday morning.
