Bucs Earn Solid “B” For Early Free Agency Wave

NFL free agency comes in waves. There’s an initial rush of moves that occur when the negotiating period opens, and those continue through the start of the new league year a couple of days later. Things slow down a bit after that, but there are always more moves to come.

That’s why it’s safe to say the Bucs’ free agency period is far from over. Tampa Bay still has plenty of gaps in its roster, and the team will continue to build with value signings before (and after) the NFL Draft in April.

Now, that doesn’t mean we can’t evaluate what the Bucs have done in free agency so far. Pro Football Focus recently gave grades to all 32 teams for what they did in free agency — or at least the early wave of it — and Tampa Bay earned a solid “B.”

Recapping The Early Part Of Bucs’ Free Agency Period

Tampa Bay began the offseason more than $56 million over the salary cap. So, before any signings could happen, the team had to get cap compliant. Vice president of football administration Mike Greenberg did a masterful job at that, creating enough space to start free agency with a couple of big moves.

The Bucs’ two biggest “additions” actually came in the form of two players they’re plenty familiar with. They retained cornerback Jamel Dean, signing him to a four-year, $52 million deal with $24.5 million guaranteed. Days later, they struck a deal to keep longtime captain and Bucs legend Lavonte David on board for another year. The one-year, $7 million contract was a huge free agency win for general manager Jason Licht and his staff.

The Bucs also re-signed key rotational pass rusher Anthony Nelson and guard Aaron Stinnie. As far as true additions go, they added quarterback Baker Mayfield to compete with 2021 second-round pick Kyle Trask, as well as veteran running back Chase Edmonds. On the defensive side of the ball, Tampa Bay brought in defensive tackle Greg Gaines. The three new additions all fall under the “value signing” umbrella, but they all possess their own upside as the team looks to compete for a third straight NFC South title this fall.

What PFF Is Saying About Tampa Bay’s Free Agency Moves

Bucs QB Baker Mayfield – Photo by: Cliff Welch//PR

It’s fair to say PFF is fairly skeptical about the addition of Mayfield to the Bucs’ quarterback room. While his grades from 2018-2020 were top-10 in the league at his position, the publication has some doubt about what he still has to offer.

“Between 2018 and 2020, Mayfield’s 87.5 PFF grade was the ninth-best at the position, but it’s been so long since then that it’s fair to wonder whether he can get his career back on track as a starting quarterback.”

That signing may have been what brought the Bucs’ free agency grade down a little bit, given how high PFF was on the team re-signing both Dean and David. The article referred to Dean sticking with Tampa Bay as “one of the surprises of the entire free agency period” and reaffirmed his status as the “top young cornerback on the market.”

“Over the last three seasons, Dean ranks behind only Jaire Alexander and Jalen Ramsey in PFF coverage grade at the position. He’s also earned a top-15 coverage grade on press coverage snaps, where he thrives as a big, physical corner who can bump the top outside wide receivers off their routes.”

As for David, PFF rightfully points out that he’s “still one of the best off-ball linebackers in the NFL” even at the age of 33.

“David has missed less than 10% of tackle opportunities in each of the last two seasons and had 57 defensive stops to go along with five pass breakups in 2022. Tampa will not be as good on offense in 2023, but their defense should still cause a lot of problems in a weak NFC South.”

Where The Bucs Can Still Get Better In Free Agency

Bucs brass: Jason Licht, John Spytek and Mike Greenberg – Photo by: Cliff Welch/PR

The Bucs’ “B” grade indicates there’s room to improve in the next wave of free agency — however big or small that wave is. Tampa Bay’s cap situation necessitates a “let’s find the best value possible” approach, and there are plenty of positional needs the team still has.

One of the biggest puzzles the Bucs will need to solve (whether through free agency, the draft or both) is their offensive line. Part of their cap-cutting spree included releasing left tackle Donovan Smith, a starter for the last eight seasons, and trading Shaq Mason, the starting right guard for last year’s squad.

Tampa Bay has plenty of internal options to fill out its openings at guard. Nick Leverett is back, as is Stinnie. There’s also 2022 second-round pick Luke Goedeke to consider, as well as 2021 third-rounder Robert a Hainsey, who spent last season filling in for an injured Ryan Jensen at center.

As far as the left tackle position goes, the Bucs are mulling over their options. They can explore moving All-Pro right tackle Tristan Wirfs to the left side and fill his spot with Goedeke (a right tackle in college), a free agent or a draft pick. The team could also keep Wirfs where he is and dip into free agency or the draft for a new left tackle.

Beyond the offensive line questions, the Bucs need depth on their defensive line and in the defensive backfield. The team re-signed Pat O’Connor and brought in Gaines, but they join only 2022 leading sacker Vita Vea and 2022 second-round pick Logan Hall up front. There’s still need for more, and that could mean the return of longtime Buc Will Gholston.

At safety, Tampa Bay only has Antoine Winfield Jr. and 2022 undrafted free agent Nolan Turner locked in for 2023. It’s a safe bet that a safety will be among the next wave of free agency additions for the Bucs. One or both of Logan Ryan and Keanu Neal could be in play there, but the Licht and Co. are sure to look at other options as well.

While wide receiver, pass rushing and cornerback depth could also be considered as needs, it may be more plausible for the Bucs to look toward next month’s draft. Regardless, the Bucs have more work to do in free agency — and throughout the rest of the offseason — to put themselves in position to compete in a weak NFC South in 2023. But a solid “B” grade isn’t a bad place to start.