Tampa Bay Buccaneers' Final Free-Agency Outlook and Predictions

We're just one week away from the opening of NFL free agency, and once again, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers will have plenty of cap room to spend on improving a roster that posted a league-worst 2-14 record in 2014.

According to Spotrac, the Bucs should have around $29 million in cap space to play with this year, and it's a good thing, because it seems the team has almost as many holes to fill this offseason as they did a year ago.

Much Bucs fans' focus has been on the No. 1 overall pick in this year's draft, but adding the right veterans during free agency could be just as important as landing a potential franchise quarterback.

Will Tampa Bay be gun-shy about spending big on top names after whiffing on multiple signings last year? Who is hitting the market that would be a good fit for the Bucs? Will any current players get their walking papers before free agency opens?

Here are my projections for how things will shake out for the Bucs come March 10 and beyond.

More Cap Room to Clear

USA TODAY Sports

Tampa Bay already has plenty of cash to spend on free agents, but the Bucs could clear even more cap space before the market opens next week.

First up on the chopping block is likely to be Anthony Collins, who was one of last year's big signings. The former Cincinnati Bengals offensive tackle never lived up to expectations and was a healthy scratch for the last three games of the 2014 season after signing a five-year, $30 million deal.

Ian Rapoport of NFL.com has reported (via Chris Wesseling of NFL.com) the Bucs are shopping Collins and will cut him if they don't get any offers. Cutting Collins would cost the Bucs $3 million in dead money, but it would also save them the same amount against the cap this year.

Two more cuts that could save Tampa Bay even more money would be dropping punter Michael Koenen—who had an up-and-down year and would save $3.25 million—as well as Dashon Goldson, the prize of the Bucs' 2013 free-agent class that simply hasn't played worthy of his high cap figure. Cutting Goldson would cost the Bucs $4 million in dead money, but it would also create $4 million more in additional cap room.

If these three cuts are made, Tampa Bay could be looking at around $40 million in cap space heading into this year's free-agency period.

Say It Ain't Suh

Rick Osentoski/Associated Press

Bucs fans, if you have any hopes of seeing arguably the two best defensive tackles in the NFL lining up next to one another in Tampa Bay, I have a message for you.

Keep dreaming.

Though a recent report from Dianna Marie Russini of NBC Channel 4 (Washington, D.C.) indicates the Bucs could be in the running to land the consensus top free agent on the market, it shouldn't take much mathematical analysis to see the Bucs simply can't afford to tie up over $200 million at one position if they want to adequately address their other pressing needs.

Tampa Bay fans should be satisfied with the team inking Gerald McCoy to a long-term extension last season, and remember that both Clinton McDonald and Akeem Spence provide a solid rotation next to him in the middle of the defense. While it's fun to think about, there's just no way the Bucs should be in play for Suh.

Try Again at Safety, Guard

Charles Krupa/Associated Press

If the Bucs do cut ties with Goldson, he'll join Carl Nicks as one of the most disappointing big-money signings the team has made in free agency over the past few years.

Because Goldson and Nicks have been such huge misses for the Bucs after inking big free-agent deals, some might think the team should shy away from big spending this year, especially at those positions. On the other side of that coin, those misses mean that both guard and safety are still likely to be huge areas of need for Tampa Bay this offseason.

Despite recent failures to bring in the top available talent at those positions, the Bucs should swing for the fences again this year and try to land Devin McCourty and Mike Iupati. McCourty is by far the best safety on the market—and this year's draft class is extremely thin at the position—while Iupati is one of the top two guards available.

Justin Pawlowski of BucsBlitz.com says he's heard McCourty could be one of the Bucs' top targets. This would make plenty of sense considering Bucs general manager Jason Licht was a personnel executive for the New England Patriots when they spent a first-round pick on the versatile defensive back in 2010.

Iupati has had some injury issues, but he would be a huge upgrade over the turnstile the Bucs have had at right guard over the past couple of years.

Right Fit, Right Price

USA TODAY Sports

If the Bucs swing for the fences on McCourty and Iupati, they then should focus on maximizing need and value with the rest of their free-agent signings. The bigger names will likely require them to overpay at least a little bit, but there are bargains to be had at key positions that will be just as vital.

Tampa Bay needs a starting nickel corner in the worst way, after both Leonard Johnson and Isaiah Frey struggled mightily last season. Asking a rookie to come in and have an immediate impact at that position isn't the wisest course to take, so targeting a veteran in free agency is the Bucs' best bet. Darius Butler should be an economical option who has successful experience at the position.

The Bucs also need an experienced slot receiver, and they could find great value in Eddie Royal, who could also help end their carousel of ineffective return specialists. If they want to add some much-needed pass-rush help, reviving the career of Brandon Graham—who has struggled as a 3-4 outside linebacker—should be on their radar.

Lock Up Lavonte

Jeff Haynes/Associated Press

Arguably the most important personnel move the Bucs make this offseason will be keeping one of their young stars in town for a long time.

Just as they did with Gerald McCoy last season, Tampa Bay needs to lock up All-Pro linebacker Lavonte David to a long-term extension. One of the best young defenders in the entire league, David should only get better, as his skill set is the perfect fit for the weakside linebacker spot in the Tampa 2 defense.

Bucs fans may want to see the team go on another big spending spree with the nearly $30 million in cap space they currently have, but they can't forget that a decent chunk of that should be spent on keeping one of their few top draft picks in recent memory who has panned out.

Salary cap and contract information information courtesy of Spotrac.