Linebacker Deone Bucannon has agreed to a one-year deal with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. This move reunites him with head coach Bruce Arians as he spent the first five years of his career with the Arizona Cardinals. He was playing under the fifth-year option from his rookie deal in 2018, earning $8.7 million.

This is a one-year prove-it deal for Bucannon with the coaching staff that helped make him the moneybacker. Then back to the market next year, https://t.co/pvG7uaoYfo

— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) March 12, 2019

Deone Bucannon Signing One-Year Deal With Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Bucannon, 26, entered 2018 amidst expectations that it would be his best one yet. It turned out to be his worst. He finished with 38 tackles (30 solo), and one forced fumble. Bucannon missed three games with a knee injury and only started six contests this season. The team’s switch to a 4-3 took the undersized linebacker off the field more. His snaps stayed down and there were trade rumors swirling by October. His 45.3 player grade from Pro Football Focus is his lowest and the site listed him as a “buyer beware” in free agency.

Drafted as a safety in the 2014 NFL Draft, Bucannon split time at the position during his rookie year. Injuries at linebacker and a wealth of talent at safety pushed him to his current position in 2015. He averaged 91 tackles, 1.5 forced fumbles, and 1.5 sacks his first four seasons. His best season was 2015 when he led Arizona with 109 tackles (90 solo) and had 11 tackles for loss, three sacks, three forced fumbles (two recoveries), one interception, and one touchdown. Bucannon earned a spot on the 2014 NFL All-Rookie team. He has 404 tackles (311 solo), 27 tackles for loss, 14 quarterback hits, seven sacks, seven forced fumbles (five recoveries), two picks, and a score in his career.

Arizona selected Bucannon 27th overall out of Washington State University. He made First- Team All-Pac-12 and First-Team All-American following his senior season. Bucannon finished his career in Pullman with 384 tackles. The college safety also recorded 15 interceptions. Bucannon attended Vanden High School in Fairfield, California, about a 50-minute drive from his hometown of Oakland. His senior season in high school he recorded 107 tackles, four sacks, two interceptions, and two fumble recoveries.

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