Predicting Tampa Bay Buccaneers' Starting Lineup After 1st Wave of Free Agency
More than a week into free agency, Tampa Bay Buccaneers fans are still waiting for their team to make the "splash" signing they've become accustomed to over the past few offseasons.
But though the Bucs haven't broken the bank for anyone on this year's open market, they've made a few solid, economical additions that should strengthen the roster and bolster their overall depth. There's even a new starter, and though he doesn't carry the same high profile as a new left tackle or defensive end, those juicier moves didn't prove very useful for Tampa Bay last year.
This year's Bucs roster won't feature as much turnover as last year's group, but there will be a few new faces in the starting lineup, including a few reserves who earned a promotion because of their play in 2014.
Here's my take on how the Bucs' Week 1 starting lineup could look now that the first wave of free agency has wound down.
Quarterback
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Starter: Draft Pick
It's a near certainty the Bucs will take a quarterback with this year's No. 1 overall pick, and all signs point to Florida State's Jameis Winston as the leading candidate.
Tampa Bay released veteran Josh McCown and has been non-committal when it comes to Mike Glennon. It also hasn't hidden its love for both Winston and Oregon quarterback Marcus Mariota, with both having already taken visits to One Buc Place to spend the day with the coaching staff and team executives.
Winston is still the front-runner for me, but there's plenty of time for things to change between now and draft day. But regardless of which one the Bucs choose, my money is on a rookie to be the Week 1 starter under center in Tampa Bay.
Running Back
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Starter: Charles Sims, Luke Stocker (fullback)
Despite an already crowded backfield, Tampa Bay spent a third-round pick last year on Sims, much to the confusion of fans and analysts alike. However, that move looks looks pretty smart nearly a year later, after Doug Martin struggled to return to his rookie-season form.
Sims is still a bit raw and upright as a runner, but he's got all the skills to be an effective three-down back for Tampa Bay. He flashed that ability late in the season as both a ball-carrier and a receiver out of the backfield after spending the first half of the season on injured reserve due to ankle surgery.
Martin should still see a decent amount of action, while Bobby Rainey and Mike James will likely fight over the scraps. Also, don't be shocked if Martin is dealt near draft time, making room for the Bucs to dip into this year's incredibly deep class of prospects for yet another young back.
At fullback, both Stocker and Jorvorskie Lane were re-signed, but Lane is coming off a broken leg and Stocker played extremely well in his stead after moving from his normal tight end spot.
Wide Receiver and Tight End
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Starters: Mike Evans, Vincent Jackson, Draft Pick (slot), Austin Seferian-Jenkins (tight end)
The Bucs hit a grand slam with last year's first-round pick, as Evans was nearly uncoverable, especially over the second half of the season. Expected to learn and develop slowly behind Jackson, Evans snatched the torch from the veteran and quickly became the team's unquestioned No. 1 target.
Jackson remains a fantastic No. 2 option who can consistently move the chains and provide another big body in the red zone, all the while being a valuable leader on the field and in the locker room.
In the slot, Tampa Bay should be looking to add a rookie who has the quickness and explosion to make plays after the catch, as well as the toughness to go over the middle. Kansas State's Tyler Lockett, Duke's Jamison Crowder and Miami's Phillip Dorsett would all be perfect fits and should be available near the middle rounds.
At tight end, Seferian-Jenkins returns after a rookie season that saw him flash the big-play ability that made him a star at Washington, but he was held back by nagging injuries. With a full offseason to get healthy, he should return primed for a breakout season.
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Offensive Line
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Starters: Demar Dotson (left tackle), Logan Mankins (left guard), Evan Dietrich-Smith (center), Draft Pick (right guard), Draft Pick (right tackle)
Dotson made the switch from right to left tackle toward the end of last season, and he was effective enough for the Bucs to consider making the move permanent. Regardless of where Dotson ends up, expect Tampa Bay to spend its second-round pick on the other bookend. Oregon's Jake Fisher should be the team's top target, as he has the ability to play either side and is arguably the most NFL-ready tackle prospect in this draft.
At guard, veteran Mankins will return on the right side, but the left side is no more settled than it was this time last year. Tampa Bay failed to address the position until the fifth round of the 2014 draft, and it shouldn't make the same mistake this year. The Bucs should look to spend their third-round pick on one of this year's top guards, with Duke's Laken Tomlinson and Florida State's Tre' Jackson at the top of their list.
Despite struggling for most of last season, Dietrich-Smith will likely return as the starter at center. Mental errors plagued the veteran last season, but stability at offensive coordinator should help him bounce back in 2015.
Defensive Line
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Starters: Gerald McCoy and Clinton McDonald (defensive tackle), Jacquies Smith and Draft Pick (defensive end)
Defensive tackle looks like Tampa Bay's deepest position on paper at the moment, with a strong rotation that goes four men deep. McCoy is arguably the best 3-technique tackle in the NFL, while McDonald proved to be the Bucs' best signing in free agency last year. Akeem Spence and the newly added Henry Melton will provide solid depth.
Things are far less settled at defensive end, where the Bucs’ most consistent returning player was a waiver-wire pickup last season. Smith burst onto the scene with 6.5 sacks over the final eight games of the 2014 season, and he’ll have high expectations for his progression this year.
The release of Michael Johnson opens a big hole at the other edge spot, where the Bucs should look to spend a top pick on someone who can create more pressure than the likes of William Gholston. The No. 34 overall pick is a prime spot for Tampa Bay to address that need, where Utah’s Nate Orchard and UCLA’s Owamagbe Odighizuwa would make plenty of sense.
Linebacker
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Starters: Lavonte David (weak side), Bruce Carter (middle), Danny Lansanah (strong side)
This unit sports one of the team’s few new additions so far in free agency, as Carter is expected to replace Mason Foster in the middle. He’s had some durability issues but possesses the athleticism required of his position in the Tampa 2.
David didn’t rack up the splash plays last year like he did in 2013, but he still proved to be one of the best linebackers in the league. He should get a hefty long-term extension at some point this year.
One of the most pleasant surprises for the Bucs in 2014 was Lansanah, who flashed early in training camp and put together a solid season. His versatility was extremely useful, as he became the first player in franchise history to start a game at each of the three linebacker spots in the same season.
Secondary
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Starters: Johnthan Banks and Alterraun Verner (cornerback), Major Wright and Bradley McDougald (safety)
Verner was expected to be the team’s top cover man after signing as a free agent last offseason, but it was Banks who emerged in his second season as the team’s most effective corner. Verner had his struggles early but improved down the stretch. Both are locks to return to their starting roles in 2015.
Many expected him to be cut, but Dashon Goldson is still currently on the roster. However, I don’t expect him to stay much longer, as a weak safety market could generate some trade interest. Whether it’s by trade or release, I think Goldson has played his last game for Tampa Bay.
That being the case, Wright would assume the starting free safety spot in Goldson’s place after re-signing with the team last week. After flashing big-play ability against both the run and pass, McDougald did more than enough last season to earn the starting gig at strong safety.
Special Teams
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Starters: Patrick Murray (kicker), Michael Koenen (punter), Draft Pick (return specialist)
Many fans criticized the Bucs last season when the team cut veteran Connor Barth in favor of Murray, but the undrafted rookie proved himself worthy with a strong showing throughout the year. He should return with no real competition for the kicking duties in 2015.
Koenen had an up-and-down season in 2014 but finished strong. He’s highly paid for a punter, but everything points toward him returning, despite his age and price tag.
Tampa Bay went through a handful of potential return specialists in 2015 but never found anyone who could really stick. If they’re able to land one of this year’s top speedsters at wide receiver, such as Kansas State’s Kevin Lockett or Miami’s Phillip Dorsett, that problem should be immediately solved for the upcoming season.
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