Off-Season Primer- Tampa Bay Buccaneers

2023 Record- (9-8)

In 2023, the Buccaneers clinched their 3rd straight NFC South title, a franchise best streak. They also made the playoffs for the 4th consecutive season, their longest such streak since 1999-2002. This was the first season without Tom Brady since 2019 and the team signed free agent signal caller Baker Mayfield who won the starting job in training camp. 

Tampa Bay started the season 3-1, however they went into a tailspin losing 6 out of 7. Mayfield and the Buccaneers then played their best football of the season, winning 5 of their last 6 to finish 9-8. They were tied with New Orleans but were given the division title based on winning % against common opponents.

They hosted the defending NFC champion Philadelphia Eagles in the Wild Card round and defeated them 32-9. Tampa Bay advanced to the Divisional round where they lost a hard fought game to the Detroit Lions 31-23.

Baker Mayfield had a strong season in his first season with the Buccaneers. He threw for 4,044 yards with 28 touchdowns and only 10 interceptions. He has since re-signed with Tampa Bay for $100MM over 3 seasons, with $50MM guaranteed.

Draft Picks

Round 1 - (26)

Round 2- (57)

Round 3- (89)

Round 4- (124)

Round 6- (200)

Round 6- (220)

Round 7- (246)

Free Agents

Projected Cap Space - Approximately $22MM

LB- Lavonte David

RB- Chase Edmonds

WR- Mike Evans

G- Matt Feiler

DL- Greg Gaines

DL- Will Gholston

OLB- Cam Gill

K- Chase McLaughlin

WR- David Moore

S- Ryan Neal

DL- Pat O’Connor

DT- Justin Skule

G- Aaron Stinnie

LS- Zach Triner

LB- Devin White

S- Antoine Winfield, Jr.

QB- John Wolford

CB- Dee Delaney

G- Nick Leverett

WR- Deven Thompkins

T- Brandon Walton

Tampa Bay has taken care of their biggest off-season free agent when they recently inked Baker Mayfield to a 3-year deal. However, the team has other important free agents they need to go after. On defense, Tampa Bay is set to lose 2 starting linebackers in Devin White and Lavonte David. And if the Bucs lose safety Antoine Winfield, Jr. the team may lose their top 3 tacklers from 2023. The Buccaneers will prioritize retaining some semblance of this trio when free agency begins. 

Guards Aaron Stinnie, Matt Feiler and Nick Leverett are also set to test the market and Tampa Bay has very little depth at the guard position to fill in the void. They will likely be aggressive in free agency and the draft to fill the holes on their offensive line. 

Biggest Needs 

OL

LB

S

Edge

Tampa Bay will need to upgrade their center and guard positions in either free agency or the draft. With pick #26 they should be in a prime position to grab one of the best interior lineman in the class. 

With Lavonte David and Devin White hitting free agency, the Buccaneers will try and add a younger linebacker or two via the selection process or in the open market. Even if they resign one or both, the team needs to start getting younger at the position. 

Safety Antoine Winfield has to be a priority for the team to bring back. If they do sign him, they will still need to upgrade the other safety position. Ryan Neal has not performed as well as they had hoped for and he is also scheduled to enter free agency.