5 Free Agents Who Won't Be Signing with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers

With free agency on the horizon, NFL teams are beginning to identify potential targets that could improve their chances of success for the 2015 season.

Over the past few years, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers have made some of the more significant splashes, signing the likes of Vincent Jackson, Dashon Goldson, Carl Nicks and Michael Johnson. Their success rate hasn't been the greatest when it comes to the big-name signings, but one thing has been clear: Tampa Bay isn't afraid to shell out big money if it believes a player is worthy.

But will the Bucs have that same buying power in 2015? According to Spotrac, Tampa Bay is currently looking at just over $23 million in cap space, but will it be gun-shy about spending on big names after watching multiple attempts flame out? Will this year's top players on the market want to join a franchise coming off of a 2-14 season with a questionable quarterback situation?

With those factors potentially having an impact on Tampa Bay's ability to attract some of the league's best available players, here are five free agents who will likely pass on the chance to join the Bucs in 2015.

Lions DT Ndamukong Suh

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Bucs fans, if you have hopes of seeing Suh and Gerald McCoy—the No. 2 and No. 3 overall picks from the 2010 NFL draft—lining up next to each other in 2015, I'm sorry to break your hearts.

It looks like a toss-up at the moment as to whether or not Suh will re-sign with the Lions, but if he hits the open market, don't expect Tampa Bay to be in the running for his services. The Bucs just inked McCoy to a lucrative extension, and Suh is expected to command a deal of even greater proportions. Spending that much money at one position is something the Bucs simply can't afford to do.

Not only does going after Suh not make financial sense for the Bucs, but it also doesn't address a position of need. Tampa Bay has plenty of holes to fill, but the defensive tackle spot next to McCoy isn't one of them, as free-agent addition Clinton McDonald was very effective last season.

Cowboys LB Rolando McClain

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A popular name linked to the Bucs in the upcoming free-agency period, Dallas' Rolando McClain is one Bucs fans should cross off of their wish list.

A former top-10 pick who ended up out of the league entirely at the age of 24, McClain has resurrected his career in Dallas, tallying 82 tackles, two interceptions and a sack in 2014, despite missing two games due to injury. The Alabama product has been the perfect fit at middle linebacker in Rod Marinelli's defense, which brings me to the biggest reason he's likely to return to Dallas next year.

According to Rick Stroud of the Tampa Bay Times, Marinelli was recently rumored to be leaving the Cowboys to take Tampa Bay's defensive coordinator job, a move that would make sense considering his previous connections to the Bucs and current head coach Lovie Smith. But Tampa Bay's former defensive line coach elected to remain in Dallas, and McClain would be wise to stay in the environment that helped bring his career back from the depths.

The Bucs may not bring back Mason Foster to play the middle, and McClain would be the perfect replacement. But I don't expect him to hit the market, which will—and should—disappoint Bucs fans.

Packers WR Randall Cobb

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Tampa Bay could use an explosive playmaker in the slot, and one of the best in the league could be hitting the market this offseason. But don't expect the Bucs to break the bank for Green Bay's Randall Cobb.

There's still a decent chance Cobb returns to the Packers for 2015 and beyond, but it'll take a top-dollar deal to retain him, and Green Bay general manager Ted Thompson isn't typically known for breaking the bank on free agents. If he walks, there will be a long list of teams champing at the bit to bring him in, as the Kentucky product enjoyed a career year in 2014 with 1,287 yards and 12 touchdowns on 91 catches.

The Bucs are already set to pay Vincent Jackson over $10 million for 2015, and with him and Mike Evans, their starting receiver spots are set for the time being. Plenty of teams will be throwing lots of cash Cobb's way, but I doubt the Bucs will be one of them.

Patriots DB Devin McCourty

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The Bucs have a pleasant surprise in young safety Bradley McDougald, but Dashon Goldson has been a disappointment since signing a lucrative deal in free agency two years ago. Many Bucs fans will be salivating over the possibility of grabbing New England's Devin McCourty on the open market this season, but I wouldn't hold my breath.

McCourty is a versatile playmaker who can play both safety and corner, and he was a key cog in the Patriots' title-winning defense. He would obviously be a welcome addition to the Tampa Bay secondary should the Pats decide to part ways with Goldson.

That said, it would be hard to imagine McCourty leaving the defending Super Bowl champs for the team that posted the league's worst record in 2014, especially after watching former teammate Logan Mankins toil in Tampa Bay instead of hoisting the Lombardi Trophy.

Seahawks CB Byron Maxwell

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Similar to the Packers' Randall Cobb, Seattle's Byron Maxwell is a top free agent who could fill a need for the Bucs, but there are multiple reasons why the versatile cover man will choose to go elsewhere in free agency.

One of the less-heralded members of the "Legion of Boom," Maxwell quietly put together a strong season for the NFC champions, scattering 12 pass deflections and two interceptions over 12 starts in 2014. Maxwell showed the versatility to play either outside or in the slot, and at 6'1", 207 pounds, he has the size to hang with the league's bigger receivers.

The Bucs are set on the outside at corner with Johnthan Banks and Alterraun Verner, but they desperately need an upgrade at the nickel spot.  But just like with Cobb, Maxwell is expected to get a big pay day as someone's top corner, at a price the Bucs aren't likely to meet. Especially considering the state of Tampa Bay's rebuilding efforts, expect Maxwell to sign elsewhere or return to the Emerald City next season.