Now that the Super Bowl has been played and free agency is less than a month away, the Last Word On Sports NFL department will be looking at the top three offseason needs for each team. The next franchise in focus is the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
What to Know
2014 Record: 2-14
Draft Picks: 1st Overall
Notable Free Agents: Adrian Clayborn, Da’Quan Bowers, Mason Foster
2014 In Review
Once again, after going all in for highly-sought-after free agents, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers did not receive returns on their offseason investments and failed to clinch the playoffs for the seventh consecutive season. Despite competing within an underachieving NFC South, much did not go right for Tampa on either side of the ball in 2014.
As Lovie Smith enters his second year at the helm with the No. 1 overall pick and a fair amount of cap room, what must he and the Buccaneers front office do this offseason to help the franchise make the postseason for the first time since 2007?
Tampa Bay Buccaneers 2015 Offseason: Top 3 Needs
Quarterback
The expectation is that Tampa Bay will draft Jameis Winston with the top pick in this year’s draft, and that’s exactly what they should do. The Buccaneers finished 25th in passing offense in 2014 and had the second-most interceptions with 20. Longtime veteran backup Josh McCown couldn’t repeat his surprising 2013 campaign in Chicago. With his advanced age and salary situation, he was ultimately released. Tampa’s third-round pick in 2013, Mike Glennon, has shown flashes of being a capable option, but he doesn’t give anyone the feeling that he is “the guy.”
Assuming the Bucs do nab Winston, they should expect him to make the same immediate impact former No. 1 pick Cam Newton did for the Panthers in 2011.
Offensive Lineman
The Buccaneers offense was abysmal in 2014, thanks to a porous offensive line. Along with their eighth-worst passing attack, they ranked 29th in rushing offense. The 52 sacks they allowed were tied for the fourth-most in the league. Even though the signal callers didn’t produce, life was harder when they weren’t protected. High-priced free agent Carl Nicks did not work out. Their free agent signee from last summer, Anthony Collins, has proven to be a disappointment as well. Veteran Logan Mankins was a solid pickup, but he was the only bright spot. Tampa just hasn’t compensated for the departures of Davin Joseph and Donald Penn.
Pass Rusher
Outside of Pro Bowl defensive tackle Gerald McCoy, there is no such thing as an imposing presence along the Buccaneer front. 2011 draft picks Adrian Clayborn and Da’Quan Bowers have been busts for the Bucs. After signing a big contract with Tampa last offseason, Michael Johnson has not been the same since his 11.5-sack campaign with the Bengals in 2012. With the quarterbacks in this division, Tampa Bay needs guys who can–and will–disrupt their rhythm.
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