Should the Tampa Bay Buccaneers Find an Insurance Policy for LB K.J. Britt?

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers didn't blow anyone out of the water during free agency from a national media point of view.

Still, even though Tampa Bay hasn't made a big splash in open waters, there is one free agent still on the market that Bleacher Report's Matt Holder believes should be on general manager Jason Licht's radar.

Sep 11, 2022; Arlington, Texas, USA; Tampa Bay Buccaneers linebacker K.J. Britt (52) reacts. | Tim Heitman-USA TODAY Sports

"While Tampa Bay was able to re-sign Lavonte David, the team lost its other starting linebacker Devin White to Philadelphia," Holder writes. "The hope is that K.J. Britt continues to ascend and show promise, Britt is still fairly unproven and it couldn't hurt to have a veteran backer to turn to if he isn't ready for the full-time starting role.

"(Zach) Cunningham could be a good insurance policy and David only signed a one-year deal at 34 years old, so bringing in the former Eagle and Titan could give the Bucs a long-term option at linebacker as well."

While David is over the 30-year-old mark many designate as the line to start watching for decline in play, Cunningham won't hit that mark until December.

A second-round pick of the Houston Texans in 2017, Cunningham spent his first four full seasons there and part of his fifth before being claimed on waivers in 2021 by the Tennessee Titans where he spent four games that season and all of 2022 appearing in six more.

In 2023 Cunningham joined the Philadelphia Eagles and appeared in 10 games.

The veteran wouldn't be a direct replacement for White, who even in all his struggles still managed to tally 2.5 sacks in 2023 while Cunningham got no sacks and, in fact, hasn't had one since the 2020 season when he had three.

We can see why some might think the Bucs need to add another veteran linebacker to the mix given that Britt isn't a fully proven contributor and second-year player SirVocea Dennis is coming off a rookie campaign where he appeared in 13 games but played just 101 total defensive snaps.

However, there is solid linebacker talent available in the middle parts of the NFL Draft who could give the Buccaneers a young contributor to begin and another opportunity along with Britt and Dennis to develop a linebacker or two of the future.

As the NFL Draft nears and progresses at the end of April, Cunningham's name will be one to watch if Tampa Bay does not add further talent to the group.

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