The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are looking to strengthen their defense for the upcoming season, with a focus on enhancing their pass-rushing capabilities.
Todd Bowles’ defense struggled to generate consistent pressure on opposing quarterbacks last season, and upgrading the pass rush will be crucial to the team’s success next year.
USA Today’s Jacob Camenker has identified his top free agency targets for each NFL team, with linebacker Matthew Judon emerging as a key prospect for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
“The Buccaneers don’t have a lot of cap space, so they may find themselves bargain-hunting a bit. Judon is coming off one of the worst seasons of his career, as he generated just 4.5 sacks and 25 pressures. However, he was traded to the Falcons just a month before the regular season, so perhaps the Buccaneers can sell themselves on him regaining his form with a full offseason in Todd Bowles’ system.”
Matthew Judon’s production dipped last season with the Falcons, largely due to being the lone prominent pass-rushing threat, which allowed opposing offenses to focus their attention on him. In Tampa Bay, he would be part of a more balanced defensive front, potentially freeing him up to make more impactful plays.
Surrounded by talented defensive linemen like Calijah Kancey and Vita Vea, Matthew Judon could thrive in Tampa Bay, with the added pressure and attention on his teammates potentially creating more opportunities for him to make plays.
Buccaneers general manager Jason Licht has maintained a sense of secrecy regarding the team’s offseason priorities. Fans will have to wait until free agency begins in mid-March to get a clearer understanding of Licht’s strategy and how it may involve players like Matthew Judon.
The BR Rub
Judon didn’t exactly make the splash in Atlanta that most experts projected he would. That said he’s a solid veteran who may excel in the right situation. Judon does create pressure. He also would pair well with the Bucs front seven.
Our suggestion here would be a veteran minimum contract or slightly north of that with incentives. Anything more than that would be a hard pass if we had a say. Which we don’t.
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