Bucs release Deone Bucannon, could be a target for the Browns
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers have released linebacker Deone Bucannon before heading to London to take on the Carolina Panthers, per ESPN's Adam Schefter. Bucannon could be an option at the WILL linebacker for the Cleveland Browns if they want a veteran to bolster their ranks.
Bucannon has familiarity with Browns defensive coordinator Steve Wilks as he played for Wilks in Arizona. It's not clear the two get along too well given how his time in Arizona went, but he needs a job, knows the system and the Browns may want more help at linebacker.
With the season ending injury to Chris Kirksey, the Browns have been playing fifth round rookie Mack Wilson. A one-year starter at Alabama, it's been a bumpy ride. The game is moving incredibly fast for him and he's had trouble adjusting as a result.
That isn't to suggest the Browns don't like him, but if they want someone that might be able to come in and play better right now, especially as the Browns have their bye week after this coming game against the Seattle Seahawks, they might like Bucannon.
The flip side of that is because the bye week is coming, the team may feel like that will give Wilson a chance to catch up, have the game slow down for him and playing better the rest of the season. They also might simply be willing to roll with the struggles if they believe he'll come out better on the other side.
The other option with Bucannon is moving him back to safety, particularly as he could be a nice fit in the Big Nickel the Browns like to run. He's a bigger safety with speed that can do a lot of the things they want from that third guy down in the box, particularly coming off of a game where San Francisco 49ers ball carriers were dragging defenders down the field. That's undoubtedly a position that can stand to get better.
