SR’s Fab 5: Bucs Must Find More Value Free Agents

Welcome to SR’s Fab 5 – my weekly insider column on the Bucs that features five things that are on my mind. SR’s Fab 5 is now a quicker read, but still packs a punch. Enjoy!

FAB 1. Bucs Must Find More Value Free Agents

Jason Licht has carved out a great reputation as one of the best drafting general managers in the NFL. The Bucs’ GM has drafted nine players who have been to at least one Pro Bowl in his 10 years in Tampa Bay. That’s the highest number of drafted Pro Bowlers in franchise history.

Yet Licht is also quite adept at finding talent for Tampa Bay in free agency – and finding it at a great value. Any list of Licht’s top free agent signings must start with Tom Brady, the greatest quarterback of all time. Brady was truly Licht’s best free agent acquisition.

At $50 million over two years, Brady wasn’t a bargain. But Brady was only a free agent once in his illustrious NFL career and chose to team up with Licht, former head coach Bruce Arians and Tampa Bay to play out his final three seasons, winning Super Bowl LV upon his arrival in 2020.

Jason Licht’s Best Free Agent Signings
1 QB Tom Brady 2020 – 2 years, $50 million
2 OLB Shaq Barrett 2019 – 1 year, $5 million
3 C Ryan Jensen 2018 – 4 years, $42 million
4 QB Baker Mayfield 2023 – 1 year, $4 million
5 DT Ndamukong Suh 2020 – 1 year, $8 million
6 K Ryan Succop 2020 – 1 year, $1.05 million
7 K Chase McLaughlin 2023 – 1 year, $1.08 million
8 RB Leonard Fournette 2020 – 1 year, $2 million
9 WR Antonio Brown 2020 – 1 year, $1,666,667
10 DT Clinton McDonald 2014 – 4 years, $12 million

Licht will tell you that his second-best signing was actually Ryan Jensen in 2018 because his toughness helped change the culture in Tampa Bay. I have Jensen third on my list behind pass rusher Shaq Barrett, who signed a one-year, prove-it deal worth $5 million in 2019.

Barrett wound up leading the NFL in sacks that year with 19.5, which broke Warren Sapp’s single-season Bucs record. And he also helped Tampa Bay beat the Packers in the NFC Championship Game in Green Bay in 2020, and the Chiefs in Super Bowl LV with his sacks and constant quarterback pressure.

Barrett was Licht’s best value signing by far, and he’s had a couple of really good ones over the past decade. In fact, more than half of Licht’s top free agent additions have been value-based, one-year, prove-it deals.

Quarterback Baker Mayfield signed a one-year, $4 million prove-it deal that turned into a $7 million deal once he hit certain incentives. Mayfield is poised to cash in on a new deal that should be worth at least $30 million per year and be the long-term successor to Brady.

Kickers Ryan Succop and Chase McLaughlin each signed one-year prove-it deals worth $1,050,000 and $1,080,000, respectively. Succop broke the Bucs’ single-season points record (136) in 2020 and helped Tampa Bay finish as Super Bowl champions. McLaughlin made over 90% of his field goals and was perfect on his extra points, which was the best single season ever for a Tampa Bay kicker.

Bucs general manager Jason Licht and director of player personnel Rob McCartney – Photo by: Cliff Welch/PR

Prior to the 2020 season, Licht signed running back Leonard Fournette one-year worth $2 million, and he signed wide receiver Antonio Brown at midseason to a one-year deal worth $1,666,667. Both were instrumental to the Bucs’ championship season and each scored a TD in Super Bowl LV.

Although the Bucs will be poised to have over $40 million in salary cap room this year, re-signing Tampa Bay’s own star players will take up most of that available space. New deals for Mayfield, McLaughlin, All-Pro safety Antoine Winfield Jr., Pro Bowl wide receiver Mike Evans, and linebacker Lavonte David will be costly.

That means Licht and the Bucs will need to find some more value free agents. By signing the likes of Brady, Jensen and Ndamukong Suh, Licht has proven that he can swing for the fences and hit home runs in free agency. But he really excels at finding some gems who will come to Tampa Bay on cheap, one-year, prove-it deals, too.

Let’s take a look at four potential value signings that Licht and the Bucs could target in free agency this year.

FAB 2. Aaron Brewer Could Help Bucs At Two Spots On O-Line

The Bucs need a better guard to replace Matt Feiler and Aaron Stinnie, and could use an upgrade at center over Robert Hainsey, as the position has taken a step back since Ryan Jensen was lost to a career-ending knee injury two years ago. Brewer has experience playing both, but is probably a better fit at center because he’s undersized.

Titans C Aaron Brewer – Photo by: USA Today

Feiler was an aging, 6-foot-6, 330-pound guard who did not bring with the power the Bucs were anticipating he would play with. So why not go in the opposite direction?

Tennessee Titans offensive lineman Aaron Brewer isn’t a typical offensive lineman. At 6-foot-1, 290 pounds, he wins with athleticism and speed over size and girth. He’s more like former Bucs lineman Shaq Mason (6-1, 305) than he is the 31-year old Feiler. Brewer, 26, was an undrafted free agent out of Texas State, who is powerfully built, quick and agile.

Former Titans offensive line coach Keith Carter said what Brewer lacks in size he makes up for in other areas.

“Aaron is an unbelievable athlete,” Carter said. “So, he has a really unbelievable way to recover when he gets stuck in some bad positions. For him, it’s getting as big as he can, but not losing that part of his game. And then just being consistent from a technique standpoint. I think he’s come a long way and I am excited to see where he goes.”

Brewer, who is athletic enough to do a backflip at nearly 300 pounds, has put on 15 pounds of muscle and size since entering the NFL and has experience at both center and guard. He played a few games at left guard during his rookie year and posted a 76.2 Pro Football Focus grade, including an 81.1 run blocking grade.

He split time between left guard and right guard in a handful of games the next year at Tennessee where he surrendered six sacks, zero QB hits and eight hurries, earning a 56.3 PFF grade, including a 60.7 run blocking grade and a 48.7 pass blocking grade.

Brewer became a starter at left guard in 2022, but also played a few games at center. He allowed four sacks, four QB hits and 28 hurries in extended playing time and had a 59.9 PFF grade, including a 63.3 run blocking grade and a 45.4 pass blocking grade. Brewer was also penalized seven times.

Titans C Aaron Brewer – Photo by: USA Today

Last year, as the Titans’ starting center, Brewer had a much better season, earning a 71.6 PFF grade with an impressive 78.7 run blocking grade and a 52.5 pass blocking grade. To put that in perspective, Hainsey had a 52.8 PFF grade last year with a 53 run blocking grade and a 60.8 pass blocking grade.

In case you are wondering, in Jensen’s final year in Baltimore before coming to Tampa Bay he posted a 72.3 PFF grade with a 72.4 run blocking grade and 66.7 pass blocking grade. In his first season as a Buccaneer in 2018, Jensen had a 56.6 PFF grade with a 53.8 run blocking grade and a 70.1 pass blocking grade.

Brewer had five penalties and allowed six sacks, seven QB hits and 21 hurries blocking for Ryan Tannehill, Malik Willis and rookie Will Levis, while Hainsey had nine penalties, surrendered four sacks, two QB hits and 21 hurries blocking for Baker Mayfield.

If the Bucs are serious about getting the running game going and making big strides in that area, Brewer could provide an upgrade at center or guard. He has some work to do in pass protection, but is already an accomplished run blocker, helping pave the way for Derrick Henry in Tennessee.

PFF ranked him as the 11th-best center in the NFL last year, and ranks him as the 77th best free agent with a projected three-year contract worth an average of $6.67 million per year ($12 million guaranteed, $20 million total). Whether it’s as a center or a guard, Brewer could be an intriguing value signing for the Bucs.

FAB 3. Coleman Shelton Is A More Familiar O-Line Option

Another free agent option for Tampa Bay would be someone new offensive coordinator Liam Coen knows from his days in Los Angeles. Rams center/guard Coleman Shelton is Pro Football Focus’ 97th-ranked free agent and was the 17th-ranked center in the league last year.

Rams C Connor Shelton – Photo by: USA Today

Keep in mind that just because Coleman played for the Rams from 2021-23 doesn’t mean that Coen would automatically want him in Tampa Bay. Coen knows Shelton’s strengths and weaknesses intimately after spending the 2022 season with him in L.A.

But coaches do like familiarity, and if the Bucs like his film and Coen wants him, it certainly would be a great scheme fit due to his previous experience in Tampa Bay’s new offense. At 6-foot-4, 299 pounds, Shelton has a bigger stature and brings more size than Aaron Brewer would.

Shelton played at the University of Washington with the likes of current Bucs like Vita Vea, Greg Gaines, and Joe Tryon-Shoyinka, so the team could get some intel and references on him from some in-house sources.

Shelton put together his best season in 2023, earning a 64.5 overall PFF grade with a 72.6 run blocking grade and a 48.9 pass blocking grade. As the Rams’ starting center he allowed two sacks, 11 QB hits and 21 hurries, and had six penalties last year.

Shelton’s run blocking took a huge step forward in 2023 from a 55.4 grade in 2022, while his pass protection regressed from the previous season where it was a solid 71.3 grade. In 2022, Shelton allowed four sacks, one QB hit and six hurries while getting flagged five times. Shelton started four games at guard for the Rams in 2022, and has the ability to play multiple positions along the interior.

PFF projects Shelton will receive a three-year deal worth $5.33 million per year ($16 million total contract with $9 million in guaranteed money). Shelton is an older player and will turn 29 in July, but he would be a slightly cheaper option than Brewer in free agency.

FAB 4. Gerald Everett Could Be A Cost-Effective Upgrade For Bucs At TE

Chargers TE Gerald Everett – Photo by: USA Today

Sticking with the theme of the Bucs possibly being interested in Rams offensive players with whom new offensive coordinator Liam Coen has first-hand knowledge, tight end Gerald Everett fits the bill.

Everett spent the last two seasons in Los Angeles – but playing for the Chargers where he hauled in 51 passes for 411 yards (8.1 avg.) and three scores last year. The 6-foot-3, 250-pound tight end caught 58 passes for 555 yards (9.6 avg.) with four TDs the previous season.

According to Pro Football Focus, Everett has forced 28 missed tackles since 2022, which is the second-most among tight ends. He’s tough to bring down and has YAC (yards after catch) ability despite averaging less than 10 yards per catch because Everett is more of a check-down and tunnel screen outlet. Everett has shown he can make contested catches, which was particularly on display in 2022 when he made eight contested snags.

In four seasons with the Rams from 2017-20 when Coen was in L.A., Everett recorded 127 receptions for 1,389 yards (10.9 avg.) and eight touchdowns. He’s had a couple of good seasons as a run blocker, but has PFF grades of 51.3 (2023) and 44.6 (2022) over the last two seasons. Yet Everett is very good in pass protection, earning 67.5 (2023) and 76.1 (2022) grades in that area over the past two years.

Former Rams TE Gerald Everett – Photo by: USA Today

Everett turns 30 this year and with other perhaps better tight ends available in free agency, such as Dalton Shultz, Hunter Henry, Noah Fant, Adam Trautman, Austin Hooper and Mike Gesicki, he could be a solid value-signing for Tampa Bay. PFF projects Everett to earn a one-year, $5.5 million contract.

Everett has earned overall PFF grades of 65.6 (2023) and 67.1 (2022) over the past two seasons. That is far superior to Cade Otton’s grades in his first two seasons in the league (52.1 in 2023, 56.6 in 2022). Ideally, Otton is more of a No. 2 tight end in Tampa Bay at this stage of his development.

With plenty of experience and the ability he brings as a receiver and a blocker, Everett would represent a short-term upgrade over Otton and provide Tampa Bay’s tight end room with a more talented option despite a tight budget.

FAB 5. Edge Rusher Andrew Van Ginkel An Intriguing Value Option

The Bucs will most likely move on from Shaq Barrett in 2024, as his production has waned since his torn Achilles in 2022, and he turns 32 this fall. With former first-round pick Joe Tryon-Shoyinka underwhelming and entering a contract year, Tampa Bay could use another veteran option other than Anthony Nelson to possibly start opposite YaYa Diaby in 2024.

Dolphins OLB Andrew Van Ginkel – Photo by: USA Today

Miami’s Andrew Van Ginkel is a pass rusher who brings a diverse skillset to the table. Unlike most edge rushers, Van Ginkel has experience playing both defensive end and linebacker in college. That background has helped him be a dynamic rotational piece for the Dolphins defense.

Van Ginkel can rush the passer and also drop in coverage. With his 4.59 speed, Van Ginkel has racked up an amazing 21 pass breakups in five seasons with the Dolphins, including eight last year. Whether it’s downfield in coverage, or alertly getting his hands up when rushing the passer, Van Ginkel can really affect the passer. That would seem to make him a great fit in Todd Bowles’ scheme.

In five seasons in Miami, Van Ginkel has racked up 250 tackles, including 69 last year and eight tackles for loss. He is also an accomplished pass rusher with 17 career sacks, including a career-high six last season. Van Ginkel has forced four fumbles in his career and has three fumble recoveries, including one for a 78-yard touchdown in 2020. The Wisconsin product also has a pair of interceptions, including a pick-six last year on a screen pass against Washington. His 91.9 Pro Football Focus grade made him the seventh-highest edge rusher in the NFL last year.

Van Ginkel really likes the Dolphins organization, as he re-signed for just $2.65 million on a one-year deal last year. But the high-motor, high-effort defender might be persuaded to move up the state to Tampa Bay if the Bucs come in at a slightly higher offer. The 6-foot-4, 242-pounder will likely fetch more money this year after positing better numbers while filling in as a starter down the stretch for the injured Jaelan Phillips over the second half of the season.

Dolphins OLB Andrew Van Ginkel – Photo by: USA Today

Van Ginkel turns 30 next year and no one should expect him to turn into the next Barrett, who racked up 19.5 sacks in his first season in Tampa Bay in 2019. But it wouldn’t be out of the question for Van Ginkel to be a slight improvement over Tryon-Shoyinka and Nelson next year without the Bucs having to spend draft capital one of the members of an underwhelming crop of pass rushers in this year’s draft.

After spending much of the team’s cap room on re-signing players like Baker Mayfield, Mike Evans, Antoine Winfield Jr., Lavonte David and Chase McLaughlin, Tampa Bay won’t have enough money to pursue some of the top free agent pass rushers. So don’t expect the Bucs to be in the running for the likes of Josh Allen, Brian Burns, Danielle Hunter, Bryce Huff, Chase Young, Jonathan Greenard, Jadeveon Clowney or Za’Darius Smith.

But having so many top-tier edge rushers available in free agency should drive the market down for players like Andrew Van Ginkel and New England’s Josh Uche and make them relative bargains. PFF projects a two-year deal for Van Ginkel worth $6.5 million per season ($13 million total with $8 million guaranteed).

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