Tampa Bay Buccaneers Top Free Agent Outside Linebacker Options
Arguably the Tampa Bay Buccaneers' biggest need this offseason is a top-tier edge rusher. Someone teams need to gameplan for and can generate pressure and turn them into sacks no matter the situation. Early on in his tenure with the Bucs, Shaquil Barrett was just that — but his production has fallen off in recent years and he was subsequently released due to those reasons and a large cash payout due.
The Buccaneers haven't got the production they envisioned from former first-round pick Joe Tryon-Shoyinka. Although the pressures have been there, the sack numbers have not and he often runs himself out of plays. He fell out of favor as a starter mid-season to make way for rookie Yaya Diaby who took over in Week 10.
The rookie rusher showed real promise as he navigated his first year in the league leading the team in sacks (7.5) and finishing second in tackles for loss with 12. He's penciled in as one starter for next season. Tryon-Shoyinka is under contract for the 2024 season but did not have his fifth-year option picked up for next season. Behind them as the top reserve is Anthony Nelson who had three sacks and seven tackles for loss in 16 games for the Bucs.
Tampa Bay really liked what it saw out of the other two rookies on their roster in Markees Watts and Jose Ramirez and both will vie for roster spots next year. Cam Gill is an unrestricted free agent and it's uncertain if he will be back with the club. Don't rule out a reunion with Barrett either, as the two have a mutual interest in a return if things fall a certain way for the Bucs.
Bryce Huff
The Bucs need a true number-one pass rusher. If they are going to spend some money on the position, Huff could be a top option for the team. The 25-year-old pass rusher had an insane pass rush win rate of 22.7% last season. He wins multiple ways with a great first step that he utilizes with an array of pass-rush moves. He had 10 sacks for the Jets last season with 67 pressures in just 481 snaps. Huff is projected to sign a three-year deal worth around $50 million.
Josh Uche
Uche would come on more of a one-year prove-it type of deal. The veteran pass rusher has 19 sacks over his four years with the Patriots but found himself consistently in a more rotational role with the team. He's a year removed from an 87.8 pass-rush grade and 12 sacks and could be a nice stop-gap option for the Bucs. He's projected to command a one-year deal worth around $9 million.
Andrew Van Ginkel
Van Ginkel was a do-it-all linebacker for the Dolphins last season. He put up career-best in sacks with 8 and had 53 pressures on the season. Equally adept at rushing the passer he is smooth in coverage and had a pick-six for Miami last year. He can get eaten up by blockers and relies more on a quick step to get into the backfield, but he would be a solid fit for the Bucs across Diaby and could slide into a rotational role next season if the Bucs were to upgrade at the position. Van Ginkel is expected to sign a two-year deal worth about $13 million.
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