The Tampa Bay Buccaneers entered the 2024 offseason with a number of potential roster holes to fill. Rather than take their chances on the open market, the Bucs focused on retaining their own players, many of whom where among the best at the position among this year’s free agent crop.
With a little more cap space this year than last now that Tom Brady’s contract is off the books, the Bucs are having to do a little less kicking the can down the road and, after securing key starters, are already adding depth pieces along the roster.
Here are the grades for the Bucs’ free agent moves so far in the 2024 offseason:
The biggest move of the Bucs’ offseason so far was retaining future Hall-of-Fame wide receiver Mike Evans. Tampa Bay signed Evans to a two-year, $41 million deal with $29 million fully guaranteed. Evans was one of the best wide receivers heading into free agency, a fact that neither escaped the Bucs or forced them to pay too high a price. Keeping Evans also likely played a major role in the Bucs’ ability to retain Baker Mayfield as well.
Grade: A
The franchise tag is little more than a placeholder for the Bucs’ best defensive player in 2023. A deal will get done, and Winfield Jr. will likely see a higher average annual salary than the $17.1 million he would make on the tag. Either way, Tampa Bay will have one of the best safeties in the NFL on its roster in 2024.
Grade: B+
Mayfield returns to Tampa Bay on a team-friendly three-year, $100 million contract that contains potential exits in the second and third year. Averaging $33 million per year, Mayfield got more than Seattle QB Geno Smith but fell under Giants QB Daniel Jones’ bloated $162 million deal. Mayfield is an above average to average NFL quarterback, which his paycheck now reflects. In exchange, the Bucs maintain continuity under center and remain a playoff contender.
Grade: A-
The Bucs locked up one of the best kickers in the NFL on a modest three-year, $12.8 million deal. Last year, McLaughlin was top-10 in field goal conversion rate and was one of eight kickers who were perfect on extra points. Yet, he only has the 13th-highest average annual contract value among all kickers. Tampa Bay can put fears of its kicking woes returning for the foreseeable future.
Grade: A
Gaines was a useful rotational defensive lineman for the Bucs last season, playing 42% of Tampa Bay’s defensive snaps. He is not a game-changer, but Gaines’ one-year, $5.4 million deal hardly pays him to be one. He provides solid depth in the trenches and a veteran presence on a young defense.
Grade: C+
Trading cornerback Carlton Davis III as well as two sixth-round picks to the Detroit Lions for a 2024 third-rounder was undoubtedly the biggest surprise of free agency in Tampa Bay. Davis has been the Bucs’ best cornerback since he was drafted in 2018 despite struggling with injuries throughout his NFL career. Those injuries and his 2024 cap hit apparently drove the Bucs to dealing Davis. Getting a pick just one round removed from Davis’ original draft position softens the blow, but questions remain regarding the future of Tampa Bay’s cornerback group.
Grade: B–
The Bucs’ longest-tenured player returns to the team on a one-year deal worth up to $10 million. Even at 34 years-old, David is one of the best linebackers in the NFL. His price tag is a bit higher than last year, but the Bucs also have more money to spend. David is the leader of Tampa Bay’s defense and a pillar of the organization. There was no other move to make.
Grade: B
The Bucs’ first external free agent signing is not all that unfamiliar. A fourth-round draft pick for Tampa Bay in 2018, Whitehead returns after two years with the Jets on a two-year, $9 million contract. He is a marked upgrade from Ryan Neal and should drastically improve the Bucs’ run defense.
Grade: B+
Trading Carlton Davis III left a hole at cornerback, and though the Bucs will likely look to Zyon McCollum to step up, adding former Jets CB Bryce Hall on a one-year deal gives them flexibility. Hall has starting experience and the size that the Bucs prefer at cornerback.
Grade: B-
The Bucs added former Giants guard Ben Bredeson on a one-year deal worth up to $3.5 million. It’s a potential starter deal but likely is more of an insurance policy for Tampa Bay’s draft results. Bredeson started 24 games for New York over the past two seasons but was by no means a difference-maker.
Grade: C-
Opeta is another depth signing with a potential to start. Joining the Bucs on a one-year deal, Opeta started six games at guard for Philadelphia last season. He will do in a pinch but, like Bredenson, is not a long-term answer for Tampa Bay’s offensive line.