Josh Queipo’s Bucs Battle Plan for 2024

Present State Of The Bucs

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are coming off a season wherein the crew gained a 3rd straight NFC South championship within the second 12 months of head coach Todd Bowles. The Bucs beat the Panthers in Week 18 to complete 9-8 and atop the division and gained a house playoff sport in opposition to the Eagles, which stored Bowles employed. Tampa Bay was tied with Detroit heading into the fourth quarter of the Divisional spherical of the playoffs earlier than shedding, however there may be optimism that the Bucs can keep atop the NFC South if the crew can retain its core free brokers.

Professional Bowl vast receiver Mike Evans was re-signed for 2 extra years, and the crew used the franchise tag on All-Professional security Antoine Winfield Jr. Subsequent up is making an attempt to get Professional Bowl quarterback Baker Mayfield beneath contract earlier than the beginning of free company, then re-signing linebacker Lavonte David and kicker Chase McLaughlin.

The Bucs at the moment have round $21 million in wage cap area after retaining Evans and Winfield, however assistant normal supervisor Mike Greenberg can do some restructures to create extra room as wanted. Tampa Bay is saddled with near $22 million in lifeless cap cash, however that’s a far cry from final 12 months when that determine was near $80 million.

The Bucs have already introduced that they’ll launch 31-year outdated exterior linebacker Shaq Barrett, and heart Ryan Jensen, who suffered a career-ending knee harm two years in the past, has introduced his retirement. Tampa Bay can be anticipated to launch oft-injured receiver Russell Gage to clear some cap room, and will do the identical with cornerback Carlton Davis III if the crew doesn’t commerce him.

Tampa Bay has 18 unrestricted free brokers, however Mayfield, David, McLaughlin and lengthy snapper Zach Triner are the one starters. As Pewter Report reported at midseason, the Bucs won’t be re-signing inside linebacker Devin White, a former first-round choose, nor will Tampa Bay deliver again security Ryan Neal, who signed a one-year deal final offseason.

Bowles has needed to make some adjustments on the teaching employees this offseason with offensive coordinator Dave Canales leaving to change into the top coach of the Carolina Panthers. Offensive line coaches Harold Goodwin and Joe Gilbert joined Canales in Carolina, as did receivers coach Brad Idzik. Bucs particular groups coach Keith Armstrong additionally retired and offensive assistant David Raih left for Washington.

Bowles employed Liam Coen to interchange Canales, and added Thomas McGaughey as the brand new particular groups coordinator. Kevin Carberry is the Bucs’ new offensive line coach with Brian Picucci as his assistant. Bryan McClendon is Tampa Bay’s new vast receivers coach, and Josh Grizzard has been employed to be the crew’s passing sport coordinator.

Explaining The Bucs Battle Plans For 2024

PewterReport.com writers Scott Reynolds, Matt Matera, Josh Queipo, Bailey Adams and Adam Slivon have devised their very own Bucs Plans For the 2024 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 fifth straight 12 months.

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

Queipo’s Bucs Battle Plan For The 2024 Offseason

The NFC South is probably not the pushover it was only a 12 months in the past. The Falcons, relying on what they do on the quarterback place may very well be contenders in a short time. The Bucs will have to be sensible with every transfer to attempt to maximize their means to win the division within the short-term with out hurting their probabilities to pivot to the longer term. My plan will mirror a technique that tries to just do that.

No affordable crew coming off of an look within the Divisional spherical of the playoffs would ditch their possibilities of making an attempt to repeat when all the items that helped get them there can be found to be retained. However on the similar time the crew is within the midst of a youth motion. And discovering a roster that each options that youth motion whereas additionally discovering complimentary veterans to intensify it’s the path that I’m going to take.

I’ve 4 offseason priorities. 1) Retain prime inside free brokers. 2) Make one splash exterior free agent to handle a troublesome want. 3) Plug any further roster holes with moderately priced mid-tier free brokers. That can enable me to really take a greatest participant obtainable strategy to the draft to amass high-end, cost-controlled expertise for 2025 and past.

Bucs Restructures

NT Vita Vea – Vea had one other good season, even when his sack whole got here down 12 months over 12 months. He continues to be a chunk that the protection is constructed round and there’s no cause to suppose he’s approaching a cliff. Restructuring his deal is smart to open up further cap area for a number of pending free brokers I consider the Bucs ought to retain. This restructure clears $10,781,250 in cap area.

CB Jamel Dean – Dean performed effectively late within the season and nonetheless has three years left on his present deal. I might partially restructure a few of his base wage ($7,000,000) to assist create somewhat over $5 million in cap area. However I wouldn’t go for a max restructure in an effort to proceed to enhance the crew’s long-term cap place.

Bucs Cuts

OLB Shaq Barrett – This moved has already been introduced by the crew. Will probably be a put up 6/1 designation that may require the crew to hold his $14,190,882 wage cap hit by means of that date earlier than they obtain $4,923,882 in cap financial savings for 2024.

WR Russell Gage – I used to be one of many greatest Russell Gage supporters from the second he signed with the Bucs in 2022. Sadly, accidents robbed Gage and the crew of what may have been. Coming off of an harm that robbed him of his total 2023 marketing campaign the crew can’t be assured he’ll be capable to present the manufacturing his $10 million wage and $13.35 million cap hit would require.

Reducing Gage supplies the crew with just below $6.5 million in cap financial savings.

C Ryan Jensen* – Jensen has technically retired. However he and the crew gained’t course of the paperwork till after June 1st to assist unfold out his lifeless cap hit throughout 2024 and 2025. The web financial savings will probably be $1.2 million in cap room for the Bucs.

OLB Anthony Nelson – I’ve lengthy been decrease on Nelson than most. Whereas his stress price improved from 2022 to 2023 his sack whole got here down from 5.5 to 3 attributable to a predictable regression to the imply in conversion price. He’s a moderate-floor, low-upside move rusher and I wish to release his roster spot for higher-upside gamers greater than something. Reducing Nelson saves the Bucs $1.848 million.

Bucs Trades

CB Carlton Davis III – Regardless of receiving the ire of a lot of the Bucs fanbase for missed time attributable to accidents and deflated turnover numbers, Davis continues to be nook in a league that’s consistently in search of them. However I do suppose Davis has began to say no and the Bucs can save cap area and web a draft choose by buying and selling him.

The Ravens have wants at nook, so I discovered a commerce companion in them for the 93rd total choose. This falls in keeping with the commerce worth I consider Davis to have as detailed here. This transfer would additionally clear $6.3 million in cap area.

Unrestricted Free Brokers Re-Signed

QB Baker Mayfield — 4 years, $130 million

Mayfield proved final 12 months he can function an offense that caters to his strengths at a mean to above common clip. His mix of maturity, management, arm power and processing can produce an environment friendly offense able to scoring sufficient to return the Bucs to the playoffs.

What’s extra, his teammates love enjoying with and for him and he gained’t break the financial institution on a brand new contract. Ideally this contract would have been one 12 months shorter however based mostly on what I’ve heard round NFL circles, within the curiosity of realism I’ve it as a four-year deal that clears $32 million per 12 months.

The construction of the deal isn’t too prohibitive if I needed to stroll away after 12 months two, however beneath new offensive coordinator Liam Coen and based mostly on final 12 months’s efficiency and the state of the rising NFL wage cap I nonetheless be ok with this contract previous 12 months one. The 2024 cap hit could be $16.5 million.

WR Mike Evans — 2 years, $41 million

The Bucs and Evans got here collectively on an extension earlier this week in a deal that ought to assist guarantee he stays a Buc for all times. The deal is a win for each side, however particularly helps Tampa Bay with the 2024 cap hit. The 2024 cap cost must be $5,568,000.

S Antoine Winfield Jr — 4 years, $82 million

Winfield is ready to change into the best paid security within the NFL, and for good cause. The All-Professional has greater than earned a market-setting deal. He has proven a capability to sort out, rush the passer, pressure turnovers and be a normal playmaker. Oh…and he’s a top-five deep security within the league. Fairly merely, the person can do all of it. The 2024 cap hit could be $7.5 million.

LB Lavonte David — 1 12 months, $7.5 million

David’s sport continues to be ageless. His distinctive mixture of instincts and preparation enable him to play a lot sooner than gamers 10 years his junior who’re a lot sooner bodily. He’s an undisputed chief of the protection, and by extension the crew as a complete. He will probably be wanted to bridge the hole to the subsequent crop of Bucs linebackers.

As a lot as Mike Evans deserves to retire a Buc, David deserves it extra. He will get the Ronde Barber remedy from me. One-year offers based mostly on whether or not he desires to proceed his profession till he lastly hangs ’em up. David’s 2024 wage cap hit could be $4,166,667.

Okay Chase McLaughlin — 2 years, $9 million

McLaughlin had the very best season by a Bucs kicker in franchise historical past. You don’t let that stroll out the door, particularly contemplating the vary that McLaughlin can hit precisely from. Put him on the listing, and his cap hit could be $4.25 million in 2024.

QB John Wolford — 1 12 months, $1.125 million

Wolford could also be the very best third-string quarterback within the NFL since Brock Purdy. The connection to new offensive coordinator Liam Coen is a plus. As his familiarity with the system, which may help the remainder of the quarterback room acclimate shortly. Wolford’s 2024 cap hit could be $1,125,000.

WR David Moore — 1 12 months, $1.125 million

It took time for Moore to get a possibility on the sector after spending many of the season on the Bucs’ follow squad. However as soon as he obtained his shot, he took full benefit. Moore is the right depth receiver who’s strong in most aspects of the sport and may step in to most roles. Moore’s 2024 cap hit could be $1,125,000.

OT Justin Skule — 1 12 months, $1.125 million

Skule’s lateral agility and dimension make him a terrific backup for an offensive scheme that ought to ask its linemen to be energetic throughout two planes. This might lead to a 2024 cap hit of $1,125,000.

DT Pat O’Connor — 1 12 months, $1.125 million

O’Connor is a lunchpail form of man who does his job effectively as each a particular teamer and because the sixth defensive lineman. When requested to play a dozen snaps or so he will get the job performed. The worth he brings because the 52nd or 53rd man on the roster is immense. His 2024 cap hit could be $1,125,000.

DT Greg Gaines — 1 12 months, $2.25 million Gaines was a strong backup to Vita Vea at nostril sort out final 12 months and whereas I deal with many different elements of the roster, I deliver him again to attempt to preserve the established order at DL depth. Gaines’ 2024 cap hit could be $2,250,000.

Unrestricted Free Brokers Not Re-Signed

LB Devin White – On condition that his opinion of himself doesn’t jive with what the crew considered him on the finish of 2023, it’s greatest that each events get a contemporary begin with out the opposite.

OG Matt Feiler – Feiler started the season because the beginning left guard however misplaced the job whereas he was recovering from an harm midseason. His play main as much as that harm wasn’t excessive sufficient to make the crew wish to return to him as soon as he returned to well being. The crew must discover a youthful, extra athletic, increased upside guard to proceed the re-vamping of the crew’s offensive line.

DL Will Gholston – Gholston’s 2023 was a bounce again from a disappointing 2022. However together with his snap rely diminishing for the third 12 months in a row it’s secure to surprise if he could have performed his final NFL snap.

S Ryan Neal – Nobody could have been as excessive on the Neal signing final 12 months as me. However by any and all measures Neal was a disappointment. As a lot as I needed him to work out in Tampa Bay, I don’t retain his companies in 2024.

RB Chase Edmonds – Edmunds had spurts of effectiveness, however accidents and inconsistency go away me eager to see if I can discover higher reliability to match up with Rachaad White.

OG Aaron Stinnie – Stinnie will possible be in search of greater than a deal for a backup. I’m dedicated to upgrading that left guard place, so our priorities and Stinnie’s simply don’t align.

LS Zach Triner – Triner has been a top quality lengthy snapper for a number of years, however the place is a relatively replaceable one and the Bucs can avoid wasting cash by shifting to a youthful choice.

OLB Cam Gill – Gill as soon as flashed some promise, however accidents have killed any probability of him ever being a significant function participant for the Bucs.

Restricted Free Brokers Re-Signed

OL Nick Leverett — 1 12 months, $1.125 million

Leverett didn’t get any enjoying time in 2023 as Robert Hainsey’s backup. However rewind to the 12 months prior and he performed a serviceable beginning left guard after taking up for Luke Goedeke halfway by means of Tom Brady’s ultimate 12 months. Leverett’s lack of enjoying time signifies that I gained’t have to make use of a restricted free agent tender (the bottom tier – proper of first refusal is available in at $2,985,000).

Restricted Free Brokers Not Re-Signed

CB Dee Delaney – Delaney has been a do all of it backup for a few seasons, however at 29 years outdated I fear about his athleticism declining quickly.

Unique Rights Free Brokers Re-Signed

WR Deven Thompkins – The Bucs have already re-signed Thompkins, extending him to a one-year, $980,000 deal. Thompkins was a strong returner final 12 months who offered some sparks to the offense as a gadget participant.

OT Brandon Walton – Walton has been a developmental sort out who has grown right into a strong backup left sort out. The Bucs have already re-signed him to a one-year, $980,000 contract.

New Unrestricted Free Brokers Signed

WR Josh Reynolds — 2 years, $10 million

Reynolds had a breakout season with the Lions in 2023 catching 40 passes for 608 yards and 5 touchdowns. He works particularly effectively in opposition to zone protection, and regardless of a foul sport in opposition to the 49ers within the NFC Championship sport, he had a drop price of beneath 10%.

Reynolds would be capable to push Trey Palmer to solidify himself because the No. 3 receiver function or take it for himself. Both means it improves the depth and flooring of the room if one of many Bucs’ prime two receivers goes down.

C Brian Allen — 1 12 months, $2.75 million

With simply 12 video games performed up to now two years Allen comes with loads of harm threat. However with Robert Hainsey and his 36 begins within the final two years shifting to a backup function, the Bucs are ready with the right hedge in opposition to that threat. Allen, when on the sector, is an excellent heart who is aware of Coen’s system and may present a veteran presence on an evolving line.

RB DeeJay Dallas — 1 12 months, $1.125 million

Dallas has restricted put on on his tires, however loads of expertise in the same system to what offensive coordinator Liam Coen will wish to run. Dallas doesn’t have anybody nice trait, however he is usually a dependable praise to Rachaad White who may help maintain an offense on schedule.

EDGE Bryce Huff — 4 years, $68 million

Huff is one in all my favourite free brokers of this cycle. His effectivity numbers as a move rusher are a few of the highest within the NFL final 12 months. He was third within the league in move rush win price (22.7%) and thirteenth in Professional Soccer Focus’ pass rush grade (89.7) in true move rush units. The 6-foot-3, 255-pound edge rusher can win across the edge with velocity to energy and with inside counters.

Sheeesh, Bryce Huff. First he wins with the cross chop, swatting down with 2 fingers to defeat the RT’s exterior arm. Then, feeling the RT leaning, he stops his momentum and simply throws him out of the best way. However he retains his steadiness and contorts again to journey Russ as he scrambles. 😱 pic.twitter.com/d6MDLLAD3x

— Michael Nania (@Michael_Nania) October 9, 2023

S Geno Stone — 2 years, $17 million

Stone got here out of nowhere to choose off seven passes as part of a particularly gifted Baltimore Ravens protection. Stone is at his greatest enjoying prime down as a deep security, which permits Bucs head coach Todd Bowles to maneuver star chess piece Antoine Winfield Jr. throughout the sector as a matchup nightmare for opposing offenses.

OG Laken Tomlinson — 1 12 months, $2.25 million

Tomlinson was lately launched by the Jets. That was largely a cap saving transfer as he had not lived as much as his $13,333,333 APY contract. He’s not a long-term answer, however he’s been constant and obtainable. The 2023 season was the primary time in six years his move block effectivity had dipped beneath 97% and it’s an inexpensive guess that on a really low cost deal he may bounce again above that threshold.

LB Josey Jewell — 2 years, $12.5 million

Jewell is the antithesis of Devin White. He’s not uber athletic however he’s task sound and strong in move protection. Paired with Lavonte David, the Bucs can presumably discipline one of many higher linebacker duos within the league.

QUARTERBACKS – 3

Baker Mayfield
Kyle Trask
John Wolford
Evaluation: No change from 2023 for a quarterback room that over-achieved versus most individuals’s expectations. Mayfield’s deal by no means prohibits the crew from taking a swing at quarterback within the draft at any level sooner or later. And with each Trask and Wolford being beneath contract solely by means of the 2024 season there’s a good probability my Bucs crew could be wanting on the 2025 draft class indirectly for a sign caller.

RUNNING BACKS – 4

Rachaad White
Trey Benson
DeeJay Dallas
Sean Tucker
Evaluation: Benson offers Rachaad White a top quality operating mate with extra short-area quickness. He additionally runs with a bit extra sense of urgency. The pairing of the 2 will hopefully enhance the outcomes of the operating sport total. Dallas supplies some insurance coverage from a veteran who has performed in the same system in Seattle whereas concurrently pushing Tucker to show he actually was a steal as an undrafted free agent signing final 12 months.

WIDE RECEIVERS – 5

Mike Evans
Chris Godwin
Josh Reynolds
Keon Coleman
Trey Palmer
Rakim Jarrett

Evaluation: Those that have been excessive on Palmer final 12 months could really feel like my roster constructing wastes him as there’s a life like model of this world the place he’s now WR5. Equally, some may say that signing Reynolds to a multi-year contract solely to then choose Coleman with my first draft choose is a waste of one of many two gamers. Right here is my response: when you really feel like my WR5/6 are too good to be WR5/6 then I should have performed a rattling tremendous job of constructing the room right into a power.

I like how this group formed up because it offers me a ton of depth for accidents. It forces three gamers who’ve all proven good qualities to earn their place on the depth chart and units the room up properly for 2025 and past (which is what the very best crew builders do – look past the present 12 months to the wants of 12 months two/three).

TIGHT ENDS– 4

Cade Otton
Payne Durham
Ko Kieft
A.J. Barner
Evaluation: Cade Otton got here on down the stretch final 12 months and proved he’s a starting-caliber tight finish and an actual asset to the Bucs passing sport. I’m hopeful that his blocking will take at the least a small step ahead in 12 months three to make him a extra full participant. Durham had some promising moments within the second half of 2023, and I count on him to win the TE2 spot together with his dimension and red-zone skills.

Kieft will battle Barner for the TE3 spot. Barner supplies an fascinating developmental alternative as his athleticism actually shines on tape and he proved to be a greater than common blocker final 12 months in a run-heavy Michigan scheme. That offers him extra long-term upside than Kieft, who might be the higher pure blocker at this stage of every participant’s particular person profession.

OFFENSIVE LINE – 10

LT Tristan Wirfs
LG Laken Tomlinson
C Brian Allen
RG Cody Mauch
RT Luke Goedeke
OL Nick Leverett
G Mason McCormick
C Robert Hainsey
OT Justin Skule
OT Brandon Walton
Evaluation: I’ve Tomlinson and Allen penciled in as starters right here, however I may simply see McCormick incomes the beginning left guard function. He isn’t as polished as different small-school, mid-round gamers the Bucs have taken in current reminiscence, and he may need a 12 months to develop earlier than taking the beginning reigns in 2025.

Hainsey supplies a superb hedge for Allen’s harm historical past, whereas the remainder of the road stays the identical from 2024. I count on whoever wins that job to offer comparable-to-better play than the Bucs obtained out of that spot final 12 months. I’m additionally relying on a sizeable leap in play from Mauch and a smaller leap from Goedeke to assist the unit take a step ahead 12 months over 12 months.

DEFENSIVE LINE – 6

Vita Vea
Calijah Kancey
Logan Corridor
Greg Gaines
Michael Corridor Jr.
Patrick O’Connor
Evaluation: Not numerous adjustments on this group from 2023 to 2024, though I feel the extent of play would enhance simply on Kancey’s 12 months two leap alone. Corridor changing Gholston on the roster would inject some youth and athleticism whereas sacrificing expertise and a sure flooring that Gholston offered. I do suppose it offers a small enhance to the move rush which was one in all my greatest areas of emphasis this offseason.

EDGE RUSHERS – 5

Bryce Huff
Yaya Diaby
Joe Tryon-Shoyinka
Marshawn Kneeland
Markees Watts

Evaluation: Huff is introduced in to be an alpha edge rusher that ought to enable head coach Todd Bowles to blitz extra out of creativity than necessity. Kneeland provides to the potential of the room. Dropping this room to a five-man unit versus final 12 months’s six-man room ought to give Watts extra alternatives to get on the sector as effectively. I be ok with Diaby taking a step in 12 months two and changing into extra constant whereas JTS provides depth to the rotation.

INSIDE LINEBACKERS – 4

Lavonte David
Josey Jewell
KJ Britt
SirVocea Dennis

Evaluation: Jewell and David present a strong, veteran beginning duo that each play effectively in each side of the place. Jewell’s addition ought to instantly enhance the Bucs’ move protection within the flat and hook zones. That enables David to be moved round much more now that he doesn’t must cowl for a companion who usually freelanced exterior of his task. Britt and Dennis present strong backups in case both of the starters go down with accidents (which each have had in recent times).

CORNERBACKS – 5

Jamel Dean
Zyon McCollum
Jarvis Brownlee Jr.
Christian Izien
Josh Hayes

Evaluation: Dean strikes to CB1 and McCollum will get an outlined function as a beginning perimeter nook. Izien and Brownlee Jr. get a camp battle to see who the beginning nickel will probably be. Brownlee could be first man to shift to exterior nook if both Dean or McCollum get damage.

I’ll admit that is the realm of the roster that I fear most about, however nook play is so unstable year-to-year I used to be apprehensive about sinking {dollars} right into a place group the place these contracts hardly ever look good a 12 months or two after they’re signed. I like Hayes as a developmental exterior nook who I feel can contribute in restricted snaps in 12 months two. He has nice dimension and good positional consciousness to play in Todd Bowles’ Cowl 3-heavy scheme.

SAFETIES – 4

Antoine Winfield Jr.
Geno Stone
Beau Brade
Kaevon Merriweather

Evaluation: I hope the place the crew lacks at nook they make up for with an fascinating and deep security room. Stone is a ballhawk who can hopefully crew with Winfield to create a turnover-heavy tandem that may flip video games at a second’s discover. I might be snug with each Brade and Merriweather getting on the sector in three-safety appears to be like or as harm fill-ins.

SPECIALISTS – 3

Okay Chase McLaughlin
P Jake Camarda
LS Evan Deckers
Evaluation: A small change to this unit because the Bucs go youthful and cheaper at lengthy snapper with Deckers. Camarda continues his ascension as a future Corridor-of-Famer and McLaughlin returns after a historic season.

What Did You Suppose?

  Did you want my Bucs Battle Plan for the 2024 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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