Buccaneers' Last-Minute Guide to 2024 NFL Free Agency

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers' free-agent discussion starts with Baker Mayfield.

Mayfield produced a strong 2023 season that should bring him back to the NFC South side for at least another year.

Tampa Bay should not try to risk letting Mayfield go because of the uncertainty it could face with his potential replacements.

The Bucs already committed to keeping their offensive core in place with the re-signing of Mike Evans last week.

Keeping the defense together may be more difficult, but the Bucs can at least try to retain Devin White and Lavonte David.

Baker Mayfield Needs to Be Top Priority

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DETROIT, MICHIGAN - JANUARY 21: Baker Mayfield #6 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers plays against the Detroit Lions during a NFC Divisional Playoff game at Ford Field on January 21, 2024 in Detroit, Michigan. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)

Mayfield put up career highs in passing yards and touchdown passes in 2023.

Tampa Bay found the right successor to Tom Brady and it should not let Mayfield walk in free agency.

The Bucs are in a position to control the NFC South for the next few years while the New Orleans Saints get older and the Atlanta Falcons and Carolina Panthers rebuild.

Mayfield would provide the Bucs with stability under center for at least the next few years.

That would keep the Bucs away from taking risks with any other veterans on the market, or potential NFL draft picks.

Re-signing Mayfield would also go in line with retaining the core, a mission signaled by keeping Mike Evans.

Retain Lavonte David or Devin White

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DETROIT, MI - JANUARY 21: Lavonte David #54 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers tackles Amon-Ra St. Brown #14 of the Detroit Lions during the third quarter of an NFL divisional round playoff football game at Ford Field on January 21, 2024 in Detroit, Michigan. (Photo by Kevin Sabitus/Getty Images)

Tampa Bay's primary free-agent goal after Mayfield is to retain one or both of its free-agent linebackers.

Lavonte David played every year of his NFL career with the Bucs and he deserves to retire in their colors.

White presents a more tricky situation for the Bucs since his production dropped off from 2022 to 2023.

White failed to reach the 100-tackle mark and did not have a double-digit quarterback-hit total for the first time since his rookie season in 2019.

The LSU product should still have a good free-agent market, but the Bucs can afford to bring him back alongside David.

Could Extra Offensive Help Be Added?

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DETROIT, MICHIGAN - JANUARY 21: Mike Evans #13 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers catches a pass in front of Ifeatu Melifonwu #6 of the Detroit Lions during the second quarter of the NFC Divisional Playoff game at Ford Field on January 21, 2024 in Detroit, Michigan. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)

The Bucs could be active in the backup running back and wide receiver markets.

Rachaad White is the clear No. 1 at running back, while Evans and Godwin should dominate the wide receiver production.

However, the Bucs could use some depth behind them.

Chase Edmonds is set to become a free agent and the running back draft class is not spectacular.

The Bucs could take a risk on someone like Cam Akers or Damien Harris to provide depth behind White.

Tampa Bay's young wide receivers could take a step up in 2024, but it might be nice for the Bucs to add a buffer between Evans and Godwin and that group.

Allen Robinson, Marquez Valdes-Scantling, D.J. Chark and Kendrick Bourne are among the potential fits for that role.