With both the 2025 NFL draft and the first wave of free agency just around the corner, teams are already beginning to make their moves in order to strengthen their teams.
One player making waves last week was Joey Bosa. The Chargers’ first-round pick in 2016, Bosa was once hailed as a generational talent. However, injuries have prevented the former Buckeye from realizing his potential, and he now finds himself looking for a new team.
As soon as the news of Bosa’s release was confirmed, the Buccaneers were seen as a realistic landing spot. It looks as if the team is going to be in desperate need of edge help, with the contracts of Joe Tryon-Shoyinka, Shaq Barrett, and Anthony Nelson all needing to be renewed. Currently, that leaves just Yaya Diaby, who will need some help.
Could Bosa be an affordable option?
The Buccaneers won’t be the only team looking to acquire Bosa’s services. There have been strong rumours that the 49ers may want to line up Bosa alongside his brother Nick. Other NFC heavyweights, the Philadelphia Eagles, Washington Commanders and the Dallas Cowboys are all reportedly looking to upgrade their edge options.
Whereas Bosa once commanded top dollar, those days are now in the past, and teams will be looking to sign him on a bargain deal if they choose to add him to their defensive lineup.
Since making his first NFL start in 2016, Bosa has only played a full season three times, and, worryingly, he has missed playing time in four of his last five seasons. With his body starting to fail him, Bosa’s sack numbers have also taken a nosedive.
His most successful year as a pro came back in 2017 when he recorded 12.5 sacks, but he has only come close to matching that number on two other occasions, in 2019 and 2021. He is coming off a year where he made just five sacks, placing him 72nd out of all defensive ends. The production has definitely tailed off.
With other free agency needs to fill, Bosa could fill a need at a friendly price but whether he offers the longevity or the ability to provide the Bucs with what they need long term remains very much up for debate.
Josh Sweat could be worth paying the price
Most online betting apps have the Philadelphia Eagles right up the top of their markets when it comes to who they believe could win the SuperBowl. With a loaded roster, the Eagles will hope to retain one key player: Josh Sweat.
Drafted in the fourth round back in 2018, Sweat has ties to Florida having played his college ball at Florida State. Tall and rangy, Sweat developed into a vital part of the Eagles top ranked defense and with Myles Garrett having signed a new blockbuster extension with the Browns, Sweat is the number one edge prospect available.
Having recorded eight sacks last season, Sweat improved as the year progressed, and his presence allowed others on the vaunted Eagles defensive line to dominate the Kansas City O-line in the Super Bowl.
At 27, Sweat is about to enter his prime and the Bucs could benefit from Sweat’s abilities for years to come. Likely to command a price that could be beyond them, there are other alternatives, the draft being one of them. However, if the Bucs want to become real NFC contenders, the signing of Sweat could be what takes them there.
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