The hype of free agency has come and gone and now it’s time to look at what teams have gained and lost since March 15th and where they stand as they prepare for the upcoming draft. Let’s talk about the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Key acquisitions: QB Baker Mayfield, RB Chase Edmonds, DT Greg Gaines, S Ryan Neal, G Matt Feiler
Re-signed: CB Jamel Dean, LB Lavonte David, OLB Anthony Nelson
Departures: QB Tom Brady, LT Donovan Smith, RB Leonard Fournette, G Shaq Mason (Texans), TE Cameron Brate, S Mike Edwards (Chiefs), DT Rakeem Nuñez-Roches (Giants), CB Sean Murphy-Bunting (Titans), S Keanu Neal (Steelers), WR Scotty Miller (Falcons), T Josh Wells (Jaguars), QB Blaine Gabbert (Chiefs)
Remaining free agents: RB Giovani Bernard, DE William Gholston, DE Akiem Hicks, WR Julio Jones, OLB Carl Nassib, S Logan Ryan
Analysis: The three-year Tom Brady joyride is over, it’s time to restart. A lot of starters were cut, traded, signed elsewhere, and still free agents. Some were retained, but with a rough cap space situation, this will be a very different Bucs team entering 2023, starting with the quarterback position.
Following the second retirement of Brady, the Bucs set their sights on former No. 1 overall pick Baker Mayfield. After a promising first couple seasons in the NFL, Mayfield struggled and the Browns later traded for Deshaun Watson. Mayfield was then traded to the Panthers, competed with fellow 2018 top draft pick Sam Darnold, and won the job. He was later cut during the 2022 season, signed with the Rams, had a couple nice games, and then signed with Tampa on a one-year deal. He’s the clear cut starter for 2023, unless former second-round pick Kyle Trask decides to challenge him for it, or a rookie is drafted. Former backup Blaine Gabbert just signed with the Chiefs, so I think we’re done with Gabbert trying to be a starter in the NFL.
A lot of changes on the offense, starting with the line. Longtime left tackle Donovan Smith was released after eight seasons. Right guard Shaq Mason, who the Bucs traded for last season, was traded to the Texans. Backup tackle and fill-in starter Josh Wells returned to the Jaguars after four years with the team. They just signed former Chargers starting guard Matt Feiler, so there’s a hole filled there, but still a huge vacancy at tackle.
After three seasons in Tampa, Playoff Lenny was released after some disappointing seasons, paving the way for second-year back Rachaad White to be the lead guy. They also signed Chase Edmonds, who is a great third-down back who can spell White throughout the game.
The other offensive weapons no longer in Tampa include the failed Julio Jones revival, tight end Cameron Brate, and wide receiver Scotty Miller.
On defense, once-starter and now backup CB Sean Murphy-Bunting signed with the Titans. Starting safety Mike Edwards signed with the Chiefs, former starting safety Keanu Neal signed with the Steelers, and veteran Logan Ryan is still a free agent. After getting his restricted free agent tender rescinded, former Seahawks starting safety Ryan Neal signs with Tampa and will likely be the starter alongside Antoine Winfield Jr. Starting corner Jamel Dean was re-signed on a multi-year deal. The former third-round pick has been an underrated stud in this league, and Tampa locks down their two starting corners long term along with Carlton Davis.
On the defensive line, starting nose tackle Rakeem Nuñez-Roches signed with the Giants, so they replaced him with Rams starting nose tackle Greg Gaines on a one-year deal. The former fourth-round pick was a beast in that Rams interior, and gets to do so alongside Vita Vea.
Longtime starting linebacker Lavonte David was brought back on a one-year deal, but his partner Devin White is looking for a new deal as he heads into a contract year.
Conclusion: The championship window is over, time to rebuild Bucs fans. You still have top-tier talent with Mike Evans, Chris Godwin, Vita Vea, Shaq Barrett, Lavonte David, Devin White, Carlton Davis, and Jamel Dean, but you need to build up the depth. There are a lot of young guys on this roster that can develop, but unless Baker Mayfield turns into an absolute stud, which is very possible, this may not be the Bucs year. I’ll be excited to watch Mayfield with these weapons, but they need to add a bit more in the draft. If they do that, don’t be surprised to see the post-Brady Bucs be a good team in 2023.
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