The Tampa Bay Buccaneers face a busy offseason, with several key roster positions to address.
Retaining wide receiver Chris Godwin, who is set to enter free agency, is a top priority. While the Bucs have expressed their desire to keep Godwin, he’s just one piece of a larger offseason puzzle.
The Buccaneers’ defensive overhaul is expected to be a major focus this offseason, with a key area of attention being the linebacker corps. The unit is facing uncertainty, as veteran Lavonte David is mulling retirement and will become a free agent if he chooses to continue playing.
Pro Football Focus analyst Bradley Locker identified the Buccaneers as a “perfect match” for free agent linebacker Dre Greenlaw, citing the team’s need for reinforcement at the position.
“The Buccaneers are assuredly focusing on re-signing Chris Godwin, but linebacker is an issue in and of itself. Even if Tampa Bay drafts one early, the team will probably need to sign more bodies there, and Greenlaw would contribute.”
Locker continued,
“Although he missed virtually all of 2024 due to a torn Achilles, Greenlaw was a stud in the two years prior. In that span, his 88.9 PFF coverage grade ranked third among qualified linebackers and his 80.1 PFF overall grade sat 12th. The Buccaneers could use coverage help at linebacker, given that the team’s unit finished 20th in PFF coverage grade and 24th in passer rating when targeted last year.”
Locker on Greenlaw’s market value,
“Greenlaw’s market will be interesting because of his injury history, but he’ll have a real shot of playing at a premier level if he stays healthy. Todd Bowles would love his services over the middle.”
The statistics on the Buccaneers’ pass defense are a stark reality, and as defensive coordinator, Bowles must be frustrated by the unit’s underperformance. Even if the team’s free agent linebackers express interest in returning, their subpar 2023 season makes their re-signing far from certain.
Acquiring Dre Greenlaw would be a significant upgrade for the defense’s second level, potentially addressing a major weakness.
Follow, Like and Subscribe to Bucs Report
BucsReport.com
For more on this and everything Buccaneers check back here hourly at BucsReport.com
