Buccaneers' 2024 Free Agents, Targets and Draft Needs After NFL Playoff Loss
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers had one of the NFL's more surprising campaigns in 2023, for one large reason.
When Tom Brady announced his retirement last offseason (and stuck with it), most assumed that the Buccaneers would fall apart. They didn't, and they actually finished with a better record than they had in 2022 while winning a third straight NFC South title.
The Bucs even dominated the defending NFC champion Philadelphia Eagles in the wild-card round.
Baker Mayfield proved to be far more than just a budget bridge quarterback. He finished the year with 4,044 passing yards, 28 touchdowns and a 94.6 passer rating. Now, he'll be at the center of one of Tampa's biggest offseason decisions, and there are several.
With the Buccaneers' unexpected playoff run now at an end, let's dive into what's ahead for Tampa Bay in the 2024 offseason.
Free Agents
1 of 3
Unrestricted Free Agents
LB Lavonte David
CB Dee Delaney
RB Chase Edmonds
WR Mike Evans
G Matt Feller
DT Greg Gaines
DE Williams Gholston
LB Cam Gill
OT Justin Skule
QB Baker Mayfield
K Chase McLaughlin
S Ryan Neal
G Aaron Stinnie
LS Zach Triner
TE David Wells
LB Devin White
S Antoine Winfield Jr.
Restricted/Exclusive-Rights Free Agents
S Nick Leverett
WR Devin Thompkins
OT Brandon Walton
For Tampa, the free-agent discussion starts with Mayfield. The 28-year-old was signed to a one-year, $4 million "prove it" deal in the offseason, and he's proven plenty. Mayfield might not be an elite quarterback, but he was well above average in 2023.
If the right draft opportunity presents itself, the Buccaneers might take it. However, retaining Mayfield for at least another season would make plenty of sense. He's still young enough to be a long-term option, and it's worth seeing if he can provide sustained results.
Beyond Mayfield, though, Tampa has several key contributors scheduled to hit the market. Linebackers Lavonte David and Devin White are both fantastic defenders, while safety Antoine Winfield Jr. was a glaring Pro Bowl snub.
Aaron Stinnie was an 11-game starter in 2023, while wide receiver Mike Evans continues to play at a Hall of Fame clip. This season marked Evans' 10th straight with 1,000 receiving yards. He also tied Tyreek Hill with a league-high 13 touchdown receptions.
The good news is that Tampa is facing a much better cap situation than it did this past offseason. The Bucs are projected to have $48.7 million available, which is above the league average.
With a slew of important players headed to market, though, head coach Todd Bowles and general manager Jason Licht are still likely to face several tough choices.
The first will be at the all-important quarterback position.
Potential Free-Agent/Trade Targets
2 of 3
A lot will hinge on what the Buccaneers do with their own impending free agents. If Tampa doesn't retain Mayfield, grabbing a veteran bridge quarterback like Jacoby Brissett or Tyrod Taylor would make plenty of sense.
Kyle Trask is under contract for one more season, but if the Bucs were sold on him as the answer, they wouldn't have taken a flier on Mayfield to begin with. Even if they plan to make a play for a rookie quarterback, having an insurance policy would be advisable.
Given Tampa's willingness to take a chance on Mayfield, it wouldn't be a total shock to see the team take a chance on another former first-round pick who hasn't panned out. If Zach Wilson, Mac Jones or Trey Lance can be had for late-round compensation, the Bucs might bite.
The Buccaneers need to throw as many darts at the quarterback position as possible until they get it right. Maybe Mayfield is the answer, but Tampa needs to have a Plan B.
If Mayfield does return, Tampa's biggest priorities should be on defense. The Buccaneers ranked seventh in points allowed but 23rd in yards allowed and 29th in passing yards allowed.
A young top-tier cornerback like Jaylon Johnson or L'Jarius Sneed should be at the top of Tampa's free-agency wish list. The Buccaneers may also value safeties like Kyle Dugger and Jeremy Chinn, should Winfield and Ryan Neal depart.
Linebacker will also be a need if David and/or White are out. Patrick Queen, Josey Jewell and Bobby Wagner are some of the more intriguing names there.
Tampa will be firmly in the receiver market if Evans doesn't return. The two parties tried to work out a new deal in the offseason, but Evans' camp cut off negotiations at the start of the season.
Contract talks will likely resume soon, but if Evans is out, receivers like Michael Pittman Jr. and Tee Higgins should draw heavy interest from the Buccaneers.
Draft Targets
3 of 3
Tampa's draft approach will also hinge on the team's free agency moves. If Evans departs, we could see the Bucs target a receiver like LSU's Brian Thomas Jr. in the first round.
If Evans returns, we're more likely to see a defender like Oregon cornerback Khyree Jackson or Washington edge-rusher Bralen Trice become the target. Tampa needs secondary help, and pass-rusher Shaquil Barrett is entering the final year of his contract.
A safety, like Miami's Kamren Kinchens could also make sense, depending on what the Bucs do on the back end.
"Kinchens is one of the top safeties in this year's draft. He has the versatility to play in multiple schemes in coverage, as well as the physicality to defend the run from multiple levels," Cory Giddings of the Bleacher Report Scouting Department wrote.
We could also see the Buccaneers target a tight end early, as Cade Otton was serviceable in 2023 but not a true playmaker. This year's tight end class isn't nearly as impressive as the 2023 edition, but the free-agent market is also very underwhelming.
Prospects like Ohio State's Cade Stover or Texas' Ja'Tavion Sanders would be logical Day 2 targets.
It's expected to be a deep receiver class, so wideouts like Texas' Xavier Worthy and Georgia's Ladd McConkey could be on Tampa's radar in the middle rounds, even if Evans is back—the offense could use a reliable third option.
The Bucs are likely to prioritize defense depth throughout the draft, so expect prospects like Michigan corner Mike Sainristil, Washington edge-rusher Zion Tupuola-Fetui and Ohio State linebacker Tommy Eichenberg to get plenty of attention during the pre-draft process.
The Buccaneers are scheduled to have six selections in this year's draft, only missing a fifth-round pick as the result of a 2023 draft trade with the Philadelphia Eagles.
.jpg?w=256 "Patriots Vrabel Football")
.jpg?w=480 "Patriots Vrabel Football")
.jpg?w=480 "Texans Steelers Football")
.png?w=600 "New Mock with Lottery Odds Locked In 🔮")
.jpg?w=600 "Coach Questions Beck's Personality 🤔")