With the offseason in full swing, the Buccaneers will be deep into their roster building ahead of free agency and the draft. With at least six starters pending free agency and upgrades needed at several positions, general manager Jason Licht has his work cut out for him.
Some of Tampa Bay’s offseason priorities will be easier to identify than others. The offensive line’s struggles and the lack of reliable edge rush in 2023 were well documented. Some bigger priorities may not be as apparent as some positions have veteran starters who just need a new calendar in their lockers to get back on track.
The first piece of the puzzle will be Licht’s ability to keep certain pending free agents and willingness to let others go. Then the Bucs will look to the draft to address their long-term needs.
Here are the Bucs’ offseason needs from least concerning to most worrisome:
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The most secure position on the roster is offensive tackle. Tristan Wirfs is one of the best tackles in the NFL and could get a contract extension this offseason. Luke Goedeke was by far the most improved player on the roster last season after moving to right tackle. His ascension should assuage any concern the Bucs had for the position last year.
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Jason Licht has invested more in the defensive line than any other position since winning Super Bowl LV, investing their first picks in the last two drafts in defensive tackles Logan Hall and Calijah Kancey. They supplement one of the league’s premiere nose tackles, Vita Vea. While an additional rotational piece could be added, the Bucs are not likely to add much this offseason.
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The need at quarterback is entirely contingent on Baker Mayfield and Tampa Bay’s ability and desire to retain him. Given their mutual success last year, it seems unlikely either party will be exploring many other options. The Bucs also do not need to shop for depth. They still do not know what they have in Kyle Trask and John Wolford is a capable third option.
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This is another position that relies on the Bucs re-signing talent. Mike Evans may be on the wrong side of 30, but he remains Tampa Bay’s primary offensive weapon. Chris Godwin has one year left on his contract and is a valuable second option. Long-term, the Bucs may look to add young talent in the draft, but other pressing needs may keep them from addressing the receiver room until the later rounds.
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The Bucs have taken three tight ends in the last two drafts. Cade Otton has emerged as a viable receiving option while Payne Durham and Ko Kieft are mostly used as blockers, a role in which none of the tight ends excelled in 2023. While there is no immediate need, Tampa Bay could very well look to upgrade the talent level in the group, particularly to improve the blocking.
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Rachaad White emerged as the clear-cut starter on the roster last year despite working with some of the worst run blocking in the NFL. White’s versatility should keep him at the forefront of the Bucs’ offense, but a little help will keep his legs fresher and extend his career. Chase Edmonds is a serviceable change-of-pace, but if the Bucs want to upgrade their run game, they should look for a true change-up in the draft.
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With Devin White all but gone and Lavonte David pushing into his mid-30s, the Bucs have to reconsider the future of the inside linebacker position. Despite his age, David is still one of the better linebackers in the league and should still be on the roster next year. The Bucs will likely give K.J. Britt an honest shot at the starting job opposite David, but this is a pretty clear opportunity to add a high-upside prospect to groom for future seasons.
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Cornerback is arguably the Bucs’ most underrated need. While the Bucs have a lot of money invested in Carlton Davis and Jamel Dean, both struggled at various points in 2023 and Zyon McCollum still has not proven he is ready for a starting job. Davis and Dean could still be the starters in 2024, but neither is getting any younger and depth is a premium at their position. It would not be a surprise if the Bucs use a premium draft pick to upgrade the cornerback room.
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The Ryan Neal signing was not successful for the Bucs as he was easily the biggest liability in the secondary. No doubt the Bucs will look to add a new starter opposite All-Pro Antoine Winfield Jr. The only question is whether they opt for a veteran free agent or the unproven promise of a draft pick.
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The Bucs pass rush got little from the outside linebackers in 2023. Shaq Barrett was coming off an Achilles injury at 30 years old and Joe Tryon-Shoyinka simply has not developed into a reliable pass rusher. Though Yaya Diaby was a pleasant surprise and should be a starter for the foreseeable future, another starter is needed. This need could be addressed in free agency as rookie edge defenders are rarely as productive as Diaby, and the Bucs need pass rush help now.
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As problematic as the Bucs’ edge rush was in 2023, the interior offensive line is in dire need of a talent injection. The left guard and center positions have been a problem since Ali Marpet’s retirement and Ryan Jensen’s knee injury. Robert Hainsey has not proven that he is anything more than a replacement-level starter at center, and no one who hopped on the left guard carousel has earned the right to keep the starting job. The Bucs may want need to address the problem with both free agents and draft picks.
