Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Latest Free Agency News and Rumors

Free agency was an unmitigated disaster for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers last offseason. Ironically, their failures last year force the Bucs to once again dive headfirst into the free agency pool this year.

Bucs head coach Lovie Smith won't be disheartened by last season's unsuccessful acquisitions and will be active in the free agent market, according to Rick Stroud of the Tampa Bay Times.

Though Smith makes it clear in the article that the Bucs are building through the draft, he also said, "you still have to use free agency when you feel the need. We felt the need coming in and didn't know our roster well. We know our roster a lot better now."

Smith should then know that his team has a myriad of needs. The offensive line remains a mess, the secondary and defensive line need upgrades and depth is a concern at nearly every position.

The Bucs are due to lose most—if not all—of their 2011 draft class this offseason. Defensive ends Adrian Clayborn and Da'Quan Bowers and linebacker Mason Foster are all free agents who have been given no indication that they will be re-signed by Tampa Bay.

What Tampa Bay does have is cap space. According to spotrac.com, the Bucs are $27 million under the 2015 salary cap. With that kind of money, the Bucs can afford to sign one or two top free agents like Denver's Orlando Franklin or New York's Jason Pierre-Paul.

Here are some of the latest news and rumors from the NFL free agent market that might impact the Bucs this offseason.

McClure: Mason Foster Is on the Falcons' Radar

Jeff Haynes/Associated Press

The Bucs aren't the only team in the NFC South looking for a middle linebacker. If the team lets linebacker Mason Foster walk, Foster may end up playing Tampa Bay twice a year in a Falcons uniform.

ESPN's Vaughn McClure expects the Falcons to give Foster a look this offseason. Foster was drafted in 2011 by former Bucs head coach and current Falcons assistant head coach Raheem Morris.

Foster is a decent linebacker, but his inconsistent coverage skills are a poor fit for Lovie Smith's Tampa 2 defense.

Smith is likely looking for his next Brian Urlacher, a guy who can intimidate running backs while still having the instincts and technique to cover the deep center zone of a Tampa 2 scheme.

Foster in Atlanta black, white and red should be the last thing the Bucs want to see. He knows the Bucs personnel—and worse—he knows the play calls.

Foster wore the "green dot" in 2014, receiving and relaying defensive plays on the field. The Falcons might very well appreciate his insights into the Bucs defense.

Fowler: Adrian Clayborn Might Also Be a Falcon

USA TODAY Sports

There is an apparent queue of Bucs 2011 draft picks leaving Tampa Bay. Next in line? Defensive end Adrian Clayborn.

According to ESPN's Jeremy Fowler, Clayborn's name was bandied about the Cleveland Browns camp at the NFL combine. Clayborn hits free agency in March, and there's been no indication that he will be re-signed by Tampa Bay before then.

Clayborn's fit in Cleveland is questionable. The Browns run a 3-4 base defense, but Clayborn has largely played as a 4-3 end.

Since his rookie year, Clayborn has struggled with injuries, which has prevented him from making an impact on the field. A change of scenery might help him get his career back on track—even if that scenery is in Cleveland.

Legwold: Denver Unlikely to Re-Sign Rahim Moore

David Zalubowski/Associated Press

The Bucs are already paying a fortune for safety Dashon Goldson, but his utter lack of impact makes his salary untenable. Denver Broncos safety Rahim Moore could fill that void.

Unfortunately, with this year's draft crop thin at safety, the Bucs may have no choice but to shell out another big payday for a free agent like Moore.

According to ESPN's Jeff Legwold, Moore may have to move on from Denver this offseason. The Broncos are looking to extend wide receiver Demaryius Thomas and other offensive players, which could leave Moore out in the cold.

Fortunately for the Bucs, Moore doesn't have the inflated stats Goldson did coming out of a stacked San Francisco 49ers defense. Though solid in coverage, Moore only has eight career interceptions.

While Moore's lack of stats may not light a fire under Bucs fans, he is far more reliable in coverage than Goldson and would likely cost less. Moore simply may be a better fit in Tampa Bay.

Schefter: Jason Pierre-Paul Is Not Likely to Get out of New York

Bill Kostroun/Associated Press

The Bucs might want to give up trying to land a marquee free agent pass-rusher this year. It seems New York Giants defensive end Jason Pierre-Paul isn't even going to hit the market.

ESPN's Adam Schefter reported Monday that the Giants would franchise tag Pierre-Paul barring a long-term deal:

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Giants will use their franchise tag on DE Jason Pierre-Paul if the two sides fail to reach a long-term deal by March 2, per team source.

— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) February 23, 2015"

This essentially removes the five-year defensive end from free agency. While the Bucs already have a high-priced pass-rusher in Michael Johnson, Pierre-Paul could have provided a significant upgrade to the Bucs' pass rush.

With no major pass-rushers looking to hit the market, Tampa Bay might consider lower-tier defensive ends like Jabaal Sheard and George Selvie. Those two players won't cost nearly as much as Hardy or Pierre-Paul but might be better fits in Tampa Bay.

Spano: Orlando Franklin Is as Good as Gone from Denver

Jack Dempsey/Associated Press

Last year's foray to rebuild the offensive line did not end well for the Bucs. That shouldn't stop them from trying to sign the best free agent offensive lineman poised to hit the market—Denver's Orlando Franklin.

According to BSN Denver reporter Brandon Spano, it would take "a miracle" for Franklin to return to the Broncos next season. As one of the league's best offensive linemen last season, Franklin is looking at a huge payday.

The veracity of Spano's report is unconfirmed. Franklin himself quickly made it clear that he hasn't spoken to any reporters on his future in Denver:

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It's funny today I read an article saying that I said I would not be returning to the Broncos. I have no idea how I could say that.

— Orlando Franklin (@OFranklin74) February 25, 2015"

On the other hand, Spano never claimed to have spoken with Franklin, only referencing the ever-ubiquitous "sources close to." There was also an earlier re-Tweet from Franklin that had an ominous tone given its timing:

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" when one door is closed , many more is open " @bobmarley #LIONORDER

— ROHAN MARLEY (@Romarley) February 24, 2015"

Franklin is everything the Bucs need right now. He can play right tackle or guard—both of which the Bucs need—and he's excellent in pass protection and a pretty good run-blocker.

With almost $30 million to spend, the Bucs can afford to sign Franklin. At 27 years old, Franklin is in his prime and could be a cornerstone player on the Tampa Bay offense for years to come.