The Present State Of The Buccaneers
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are coming off a franchise-best 13-4 season and a last-second, heartbreaking loss to the Rams within the playoffs. The Bucs have additionally had to deal with the retirements of two Professional Bowlers in quarterback Tom Brady and left guard Ali Marpet. These losses are enormous and can make the workforce’s focus in 2022 profitable the NFC South quite than legitimately contending for an additional Tremendous Bowl.
The Bucs have a plethora of starters slated totally free company, together with tight finish Rob Gronkowski, vast receiver Chris Godwin, cornerback Carlton Davis III, heart Ryan Jensen, defensive deal with Ndamukong Suh, security Jordan Whitehead, operating again Leonard Fournette, proper guard Alex Cappa, defensive finish Will Gholston and outdoors linebacker Jason Pierre-Paul. Tampa Bay can’t afford to carry all of them again.
Bucs HC Bruce Arians and GM Jason Licht – Photograph by: Cliff Welch/PR
The largest query will probably be at quarterback the place the workforce is resigned to the truth that it may well’t land a giant identify by way of a commerce. With a weak free agent class, the Bucs are anticipated to re-sign free agent backup Blaine Gabbert to compete with Kyle Trask, final 12 months’s second-round decide. Tampa Bay might want to add two extra quarterbacks for depth and competitors, however the pickings are slim.
The Bucs teaching employees stays largely intact with inside linebackers coach Mike Caldwell being the one main loss. Larry Foote strikes from outdoors linebackers coach to take over. Bob Sanders, who coached with Bruce Arians in Arizona, was signed to educate outdoors linebackers.
Explaining The Bucs Battle Plans For 2022
PewterReport.com writers Scott Reynolds, Jon Ledyard, Matt Matera, JC Allen and Josh Queipo have devised their very own Bucs Plans For the 2022 offseason. These come full with free agent signings, trades, roster strikes and draft picks to assist Tampa Bay repeat as NFC South champions and make one other playoff run.
Keep in mind, these Bucs Battle Plans are how the PewterReport.com employees members would reshape the workforce this offseason – not essentially what we predict Tampa Bay will do in free company and the draft, though there could possibly be some overlap with sure gamers the workforce could also be concentrating on.
The Bucs have roughly $2.7 million price of wage cap house proper now, in accordance with OverTheCap.com.
Bucs normal supervisor Jason Licht and vp of soccer administration Mike Greenberg can create loads of wage cap house by restructuring the contracts of a number of gamers and reducing their 2022 cap values. Huge receiver Mike Evans ($20,622,500 cap worth in 2022), outdoors linebacker Shaquil Barrett ($19.75 million cap worth in 2022), left deal with Donovan Smith ($18.4 million cap worth in 2022) and nostril deal with Vita Vea ($11,887,311 cap worth in 2022) are the prime candidates. The Bucs may even lengthen the contracts of Evans and Smith this offseason quite than simply doing restructures.
Matera’s Bucs Battle Plan For The 2022 Offseason
The way in which I went about constructing my Bucs Battle Plan is a combination of conserving the workforce aggressive for the 2022 season whereas additionally understanding that it is a stop-gap 12 months based mostly on the quarterback place. It’s troublesome to remain below the cap this 12 months and re-sign each participant, however I attempted making a splash signing or two. Loads of this depends on youthful gamers stepping up into larger roles with out tying up a ton of cash to growing old gamers on long-term offers.
Godwin Franchise Tagged
Effectively, the massive information on Tuesday was that the Bucs used the franchise tag on vast receiver Chris Godwin. That’s $19.2 million on Tampa Bay’s cap because it’s the second 12 months Godwin has been tagged. The excellent news is he stays a Buccaneer. The dangerous information is that it’s an enormous hit to the cap after they’ve had a 12 months to achieve a long-term deal. They might nonetheless come to an settlement by July – and even earlier than the beginning of free company.
Bucs Pay Cuts
We’ve seen this tune and dance earlier than. Tight finish Cameron Brate has taken a pay minimize the final two seasons and might want to take one other this 12 months. He is aware of the drill. Brate made just below $2 million final 12 months, so he’ll do the identical and save the Bucs $5 million.
Bucs Restructures
LG Ali Marpet – Marpet leaves one final parting present for the Bucs by clearing $10 million in cap room.
NT Vita Vea – Even after a brand new deal, they will convert a piece of Vea’s wage right into a bonus and go from $11.89M to $4.25M on the cap.
OLB Shaq Barrett – Identical thought course of right here identical to Vea. A restructure to Barrett can save the Bucs just below $10 million.
Bucs Lengthen Evans and Smith
The pillars of the present Bucs roster reside round Mike Evans and Donovan Smith amongst others. Evans has at all times been workforce first and has restructured his contract up to now to open up extra cap room. Smith is one other team-first man that the Bucs have handled effectively with regards to agreeing to a deal.
By changing their salaries to largely signing bonuses and increasing their contract, Tampa Bay opens up $19 million.
Bucs Cuts
P Bradley Pinion
Pinion’s destiny may need been sealed when he kicked two kickoffs out of bounds within the divisional playoff spherical. He handled accidents final 12 months and was primarily run of the mill. For his value, he will be changed. The Bucs save $2.9 million right here.
Okay Ryan Succop
Succop was strong final 12 months however inferior to he was in 2020. He doesn’t have a robust leg, and due to that the Bucs couldn’t settle for a lot of subject objectives that had been 50-plus. When Tom Brady is your quarterback you will get away with it. However that isn’t the case anymore. The league is unfold with kickers who can boot the ball. Tampa Bay already has his substitute on the roster with Jose Borregales. This opens up an additional $2.5 million in cap room.
Unrestricted Free Brokers Re-Signed
CB Carlton Davis III – 4 years, $70 million
In the event you can’t tag him, signal him. Davis is a shut-down nook for the Bucs they usually can’t afford to lose him. Giving him sufficient assured cash at first ought to hold him pleased. It doesn’t go away the Bucs in a gap both, if they will get his 2022 cap quantity to round $14 million. There are different high stage corners obtainable on the market, however with Davis’ age and match on the workforce, it is smart to carry him again as an alternative of signing some else. I perceive his harm historical past, but it surely’s a threat the Bucs must wager on.
RG Alex Cappa – 3 years, $25.5 million
Cappa continues to enhance as a participant and he’s a less expensive choice than re-signing Ryan Jensen. He’ll assist reduce the blow of shedding Marpet. Locking Cappa up for 3 years retains slightly stability on the offensive line.
DT Will Gholston – 1 12 months, $4.5 million
He’s a protracted tenured Buc that matches nice on this protection. Gholston comes up with a handful of splash performs every season, taking part in effectively with 4.5 sacks. I name him the ameba as a result of he can adapt to something.
QB Blaine Gabbert – 1 12 months, $4 million
Along with his wage doubled and a chance to be a beginning quarterback once more, Gabbert is again on an affordable deal. This helps the Bucs signal different gamers. All aboard the Blaine Prepare, he could possibly be below heart the primary week.
OG Aaron Stinnie – 2 years, $3 million
Stinnie will get some stability with a second 12 months. He’s proved he can maintain his personal when he began throughout the Tremendous Bowl run. He’ll compete to be the full-time starter this offseason.
OT Josh Wells – 1 12 months, $1.2 million
Wells is a serviceable backup that crammed in when Tristan Wirfs was out. He takes the identical position this season.
RB Giovani Bernard – 1 12 months, $1.2 million
I like the concept of Bernard coming again and being a mentor to the youthful backs once more. He’ll have a task on third down.
S Andrew Adams – 1 12 months, $1.2 million
He is aware of the offense and is a positive veteran backup.
LS Zach Triner – 1 12 months, $1.2 million
There’s been no snapping issues, so carry him again.
DT Pat O’Connor – 1 12 months, $1.2 million
A strong participant on particular groups and all-around good locker room man.
QB Ryan Griffin – 1 12 months, $1.2 million
Griffin may find yourself with an extended taking part in profession than Tom Brady with the way in which he retains re-signing with the Bucs.
Unrestricted Gamers Not Re-Signed
SS Jordan Whitehead
I’d like for Whitehead to return again to the Bucs, however I’m projecting he’ll get overpaid. He’s an old-fashioned security that hits laborious and brings power to the protection. Everyone knows how useful he’s within the run recreation, but when a workforce goes to offer him $9 million, that’s an excessive amount of for the Bucs.
C Ryan Jensen
It’s powerful to lose Jensen. He’s one of many leaders on offense and arguably the very best heart in soccer. For his asking value, it’s simply an excessive amount of. I’m extra involved on if he’ll break down within the later years of his contract than his outlook for the 2022 season.
DT Ndamukong Suh
Suh has been formidable for the Bucs up entrance and helped with having the very best run protection within the NFL. In some unspecified time in the future they must get youthful and I’d quite have some defensive tackles that you recognize will probably be there for a number of seasons.
OLB Jason Pierre-Paul
JPP is a warrior that has continually performed by way of troublesome accidents. You gained’t discover many extra decided gamers than him. The accidents hold piling up, although, and his play declined. His departure offers free reign to Joe Tryon-Shoyinka at outdoors linebacker.
TE Rob Gronkowski
He’s both retiring or taking part in for a workforce with a extra established quarterback.
RB Leonard Fournette
I really like Lombardi Lenny. It simply doesn’t make sense to pay a operating again a profitable deal. I hope he will get the bag some place else.
RB Ronald Jones II
Jones was sad about his taking part in time final 12 months after getting shedding the operating again competitors to Fournette. He’ll search for one other workforce.
TE O.J. Howard
Howard was used sparingly within the Bucs’ offense final 12 months. Some will say he can nonetheless attain his potential. A contemporary begin would give him that probability.
ILB Kevin Minter
Minter is nice on particular groups as a workforce captain. He bought a bit uncovered at inside linebacker when Lavonte David was out.
CB Richard Sherman
He’s growing old and his physique is breaking down. I wouldn’t be stunned if he calls it a profession.
Bucs DT Steve McLendon – Photograph by: Cliff Welch/PR
NT Steve McLendon
I used to be stunned that McLendon got here again this 12 months. He might retire this time, however both method, the Bucs have to get youthful at defensive deal with. He’ll at all times have that interception.
RB Le’Veon Bell
Bell was introduced in due to accidents at operating again. Look out for him on TV in a boxing match.
CB Pierre Desir
I’m superb if the Bucs need to signal him late in the summertime to compete in coaching camp.
New Unrestricted Free Brokers Signed
S Marcus Maye – 1 12 months, $5 million
For this state of affairs, Whitehead will get more cash thrown at him that’s too wealthy for the Bucs. In comes Maye, who has to play on a show it deal following an Achilles harm final season. He’s a proficient security that may do some little bit of all the pieces on protection and be moved round in numerous spots. Maye performed solely six video games final season, however earlier than that performed a full season up to now two years. In 2020, Maye recorded 88 tackles, two interceptions, 11 cross breakups, two compelled fumbles and a fumble restoration. These are fairly related numbers to Whitehead from that 12 months. Maye was drafted in 2018 by the Jets. Who was the pinnacle coach then? You guessed it, Todd Bowles.
C Brian Allen – 3 years, $17 million
Allen is younger at 26, and may substitute Jensen at heart if the Bucs don’t belief Robert Hainsey but. He has an harm historical past as effectively, struggling an MCL harm in 2019 and taking longer to get better than anticipated in 2020. With that stated, he bounced again in 2021, serving to the Rams win the Tremendous Bowl. Allen performs effectively in a zone blocking scheme and may be very cell at his place regardless of the earlier harm.
RB Chase Edmonds – 2 years, $5 million
The Bucs add depth with Edmonds within the backfield. He’s used to taking part in in a rotational position having shared time with James Conner on the Cardinals. He generally is a lead again if the Bucs go that method or additionally deal with third down obligations. There can be familiarity on the teaching employees as Edmonds performed below Byron Leftwich in Arizona. Edmonds recorded 592 speeding yards and two touchdowns together with 43 receptions for 311 yards in 12 video games final season.
TE Mo Alie-Cox – 3 years, $18 million
This can be a good alternative for Alie-Cox to seize a beginning position for the Bucs after splitting time with the Colts. He offers a strong mixture as a receiving tight finish and a participant that may block. You already know Tampa Bay’s teaching employees is keying in on that. He caught 24 catches for 316 yards and 4 touchdowns the earlier season. There’s a whole lot of upside potential right here.
DT Larry Ogunjobi – 3 years, $24 million
After 4 years with the Cleveland Browns, Ogunjobi went to the opposite NFL workforce in Ohio to signal a one-year, $6 million cope with the Cincinnati Bengals. He performed in 16 video games this season earlier than injuring his foot within the playoffs. He recorded seven sacks in that point, which makes him an attractive addition to the Bucs lining subsequent to Vea. The Bucs signal a youthful man to interchange Suh, and it comes with extra years and across the similar cash they’d give to the veteran participant.
Matera’s 2022 Bucs Draft Picks
Spherical 1 – Ohio State WR Chris Olave, 6-3, 187
What would make Olave so thrilling for the Bucs is his route-running skill. He’s thought of probably the greatest at it on this 12 months’s receiver class. Tampa Bay’s offense is closely predicated on vast receivers profitable their battles down the sphere, and his route-running has helped him separate from defenders. Olave has a knack for making the massive catch as a deep menace. The Bucs can take a whole lot of deep pictures with him or simply shortly throw it and let him do the remainder. He had his finest 12 months as a senior at Ohio State, making 65 catches for 936 yards and a workforce finest 13 receiving touchdowns in 11 video games. Olave is a menace to opposing defenses always when lining up. He turned heads on the NFL Mix operating a 4.39 40-yard sprint.
Spherical 2 – Montana State LB Troy Andersen, 6-3, 243
The Bucs love small faculty guys and Anderson suits that mildew. I do know that we don’t need to stay in a world the place Lavonte David isn’t beginning at linebacker, however he’s solely below contract for yet one more season. Andersen is a tackling machine, racking up 150 tackles in his final 12 months. I don’t care what convention you’re in, these are enormous numbers. After beforehand taking part in quarterback and operating again, he’s used that for nice instincts on the sphere and may get sideline to sideline shortly. After having an amazing Senior Bowl, Andersen impressed on the Mix with a 4.42 40 – the quickest of all linebackers. I do know the Bucs drafted Grant Stuard and Okay.J. Britt final season, however they appear extra like particular groups gamers. Andersen will be David’s future substitute.
Spherical 3 – Memphis OL Dylan Parham, 6-3, 311
Parham is a flexible offensive lineman that went from a decent finish to deal with after which settling at guard. He’s bought good footwork due to his expertise as a decent finish, which inserts his mobility going throughout and up the sphere. Keep in mind when Leonard Fournette had his Tremendous Bowl landing run? What about his landing to seal the sport towards the Colts final season? That was all from a pulling linemen on the play. I can see Parham excelling in these forms of performs. He’ll have to hold bulking up, however he’s been doing that every season and will proceed progressing.
Spherical 4 – Oklahoma DT Perrion Winfrey, 6-4, 290
Winfrey has a great first step and quick fingers. The Bucs are searching for faster defensive tackles this 12 months, so Winfrey may simply be a match. He’s proven that he has a variety of passing speeding strikes he can go to, which was evident by the way in which he stood out on the Senior Bowl. Winfrey recorded 40 tackles, six sacks, 16.5 tackles for loss and a compelled fumble with the Sooners in two years.
Spherical 5 – Missouri CB Akayleb Evans, 6-2, 197
The Bucs like corners with size and that’s precisely what Evans has. He’s a bodily participant that’s sturdy on the level of contact. Evans welcomes competitors too, transferring from Tulsa to Missouri and dealing with higher competitors. There’s a whole lot of uncooked expertise with Evans, and he has struggled with discovering the ball within the air and with some zone coverages. It’ll be on Tampa Bay’s coaches to assist him enhance in these areas. One other cool truth, Evans began his personal charity, the Akayleb Evans Basis, which supplies again to youngsters and adults in his hometown of Mckinney, Texas. He recorded 82 tackles, one sack, 11 cross deflections and a compelled fumble at Tulsa adopted by 28 tackles, one interception, six cross breakups and one other compelled fumble in his lone season with Mizzou taking part in SEC soccer.
Spherical 7 – FIU RB D’Vonte Value 6-2, 215
Value used to run observe so he’s a speedster on the place. He’s a easy runner that may go in between the tackles and take it to the skin as effectively. Value can cross block when requested to and doesn’t shrink back from it. He’s additionally bought some energy to his recreation and may help out within the passing assault. He ran for two,203 yards and 15 touchdowns in his FIU profession, together with making 45 catches for 307 yards and a rating.
Spherical 7 (Comp’d Choose) – Colorado State P Ryan Stonehouse, 5-11, 185
The Bucs want a punter to interchange Pinion. If Matt Arazia is off the board, Stonehouse is the following choice. He’s a three-time first workforce All-Mountain West punter. In 2021 he was named to the second workforce behind Arazia. As a senior Stonehouse had a median of fifty.9 yards on his punts.
Matera’s “Method Too Early” Bucs 53-Man Roster Projection
QUARTERBACKS – 3
QB Blaine Gabbert
QB Kyle Trask
QB Ryan Griffin
Evaluation: It’s a quarterback competitors between Gabbert and Trask come coaching camp! With a weakened NFC South, there’s nonetheless a path for the Bucs to make the postseason. This offers the nod to Gabbert contemplating he is aware of the offense higher than any quarterback on the roster. If the Bucs are out of it late, search for Trask to get some reps as a starter.
Bucs RB Ke’Shawn Vaughn – Photograph by: Cliff Welch/PR
RUNNING BACKS – 4
RB Chase Edmonds
RB Ke’Shawn Vaughn
RB Giovani Bernard
RB D’Vonte Value
Evaluation: It’ll be operating again by committee this season. Who will get the primary crack because the starter will probably be decided throughout coaching camp. This could make for a enjoyable competitors to look at. Vaughn has quite a bit to show whereas Edmonds is a veteran that may get the job finished. Bernard will play on third down and we’ll see what we get from Value.
WIDE RECEIVERS – 5
WR Mike Evans
WR Chris Godwin
WR Chris Olave
WR Tyler Johnson
WR Jaelon Darden
Evaluation: The Bucs hold their dynamic duo intact with Evans and Godwin. Olave brings a whole lot of pleasure because the No. 3 vast receiver. I’m not as down on Darden after just one season, but it surely’s now or by no means for Johnson.
TIGHT ENDS – 3
Mo Alie-Cox
Cam Brate
Codey McElroy
Evaluation: Alie-Cox turns into the starter. Brate stays because the second tight finish. He’ll have a task as per ordinary. McElroy has been creating behind the scenes and it pays off by incomes a spot the 53-man roster for the season.
OFFENSIVE LINE – 10
LT Donovan Smith
LG Aaron Stinnie
C Brian Allen
RG Alex Cappa
RT Tristan Wirfs
C Robert Hainsey
OT Josh Wells
G Dylan Parham
OL Nick Leverett
G Sadarius Hutcherson
Evaluation: The offensive line appears to be like fairly completely different this 12 months with out Marpet or Jensen. Allen is available in to begin at heart whereas Stinnie and Parham compete at left guard. Total strong depth with the backups that may be moved round.
Oklahoma DT Perrion Winfrey – Photograph by: USA Right now
DEFENSIVE LINE – 6
NT Vita Vea
DT Larry Ogunjobi
DE Will Gholston
DT Perrion Winfrey
NT Rakeem Nunez-Roches
DE Pat O’Connor
Evaluation: Ogunjobi is the brand new addition that performs a beginning position alongside Vea. Winfrey will get some taking part in time rotating in but in addition will get to be taught from the veterans in entrance of him. Gholston takes the identical position he’s had with the workforce.
OUTSIDE LINEBACKERS – 4
OLB Shaquil Barrett
OLB Joe Tryon-Shoyinka
OLB Anthony Nelson
OLB Cam Gill
Evaluation: I don’t count on Barrett or the younger JTS to return off the sphere that a lot. That makes Gill attainable because the fourth outdoors linebacker. Nelson is in a contract 12 months with a lot to show. He was good final 12 months and can look to construct on that.
INSIDE LINEBACKERS – 5
ILB Devin White
ILB Lavonte David
ILB Troy Andersen
ILB Okay.J. Britt
ILB Grant Stuard
Evaluation: David and White are the leaders of the workforce and that’s not altering. Andersen will get to be taught below the duo, and will get the primary shot of filling in if there have been to be an harm. Britt and Stuard stay as core particular teamers.
CORNERBACKS – 6
CB Carlton Davis III
CB Jamel Dean
CB Sean Murphy-Bunting
CB Akayleb Evans
CB Ross Cockrell
CB Dee Delaney
Evaluation: Just about the identical group of corners as final 12 months together with the addition of Evans. It’s an enormous 12 months for Dean and Murphy-Bunting. The Bucs most probably gained’t have the ability to hold each subsequent season.
Bucs S Mike Edwards – Photograph by: USA Right now
SAFETIES – 4
FS Antoine Winfield, Jr.
SS Marcus Maye
SS Mike Edwards
FS Andrew Adams
Evaluation: Winfield Jr. and Maye will prepared the ground because the final line of protection. It’s intriguing to see how they are going to work collectively given their capabilities. Edwards ought to see the sphere as effectively together with his ball-hawking skills.
SPECIAL TEAMS – 3
Okay Jose Borregales
P Ryan Stonehouse
LS Zach Triner
Evaluation: Triner is the one returning particular teamer from final 12 months. Borregales has been with the workforce and finished effectively in observe, however in-game is a unique check. It’ll be attention-grabbing to see how Stonehouse does within the NFL, together with the unit.
What Did You Suppose?
Did you want my Bucs Battle Plan for the 2022 offseason? Does it adequately deal with Tampa Bay’s wants? Which additions did you want finest? Let me know what you assume within the article feedback part beneath.
Assist assist our efforts right here at PewterReport.com by turning into a Pewter Report Donor for as little as $10 for a one-time donation or solely $3 per 30 days as a daily donor. We settle for all types of bank card cost along with PayPal donations.
Click here to assist your favourite Bucs web site.
