Replacing Tom Brady isn’t only task for Bucs this offseason
TAMPA ― Tom Brady is gone. He’s taken his TB12 scuba tank-sized water bottle, 55-foot boat and seven Super Bowl rings with him.
All that’s left is to see what happens to those pink flamingos from the Tommy & Gronky show.
Speaking of Rob Gronkowski, will he ride off into retirement with Brady?
The Bucs definitely have a void at quarterback, which, general manager Jason Licht would agree, is an understatement.
But they have other needs, regardless of who is under center. If Gronkowski doesn’t return, tight end would be one, for sure.
It’s time for a refresher on who is staying, who’s leaving and what are the Bucs’ biggest needs in the offseason.
The Bucs have about $16.57 million of space under the $208.2 million salary cap, which ranks 18th in the NFL. They could create more by restructuring contracts of some of the higher-paid players. They also could release some players to save more money if those contracts are not guaranteed.
These are the positions they must address through the draft or free agency.
Quarterback
Returning: Kyle Trask
2022 free agents: Blaine Gabbert, Ryan Griffin
It’s only the most important position on any NFL team, and the best to ever do it just left the building.
Trask was inactive his entire rookie season but got a lot of work before practice with quarterbacks coach Clyde Christensen. He also was seated at the right hand of the GOAT in meetings.
But if greatness rubbed off through osmosis, how do you explain 49ers quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo, who backed up Brady in New England? The Bucs simply have no way of knowing what they have in Trask just yet and believe they have enough talent to return to the playoffs.
The Bucs could re-sign Gabbert to serve as a bridge to Trask, but Gabbert hasn’t started a game since 2018. They also prefer to see who’s behind Door No. 2.
A trade for the Packers’ Aaron Rodgers or Seahawks’ Russell Wilson seems remote, since they play in the same conference. The Texans will demand an outrageous number of first-round picks for Deshaun Watson, who faces a mountain of civil suits and perhaps suspension.
Garoppolo will be traded, and other veterans could shake free after the draft or in free agency, like a Ryan Tannehill or Kirk Cousins. Anyone got Andrew Luck’s phone number?
Wide receiver
Returning: Mike Evans, Scotty Miller, Tyler Johnson. Jaelon Darden, Cyril Grayson, Travis Jonsen, Vyncint Smith
2022 free agents: Chris Godwin, Breshad Perriman, Antonio Brown
Retaining Godwin is the priority. He’s recovering from a torn ACL and could receive the franchise player tag again. Ahead of only cornerback Carlton Davis, Godwin must be retained. He led the Bucs in receptions (98) and receiving yards (1,103) this season despite missing the final three regular-season games.
Evans is a perennial Pro Bowl talent and on a career path to the Pro Football Hall of Fame. But if 2021 proved anything, the Bucs aren’t too deep at receiver and don’t want to be in a position of signing street free agents like they were a year ago if injuries occur.
Miller couldn’t get on the field last year, even with the injury and eventual suspension of Brown. Miller caught only five passes for 38 yards in the regular season. Johnson has been a disappointment and didn’t take a leap forward following his rookie season. It’s hard to know what Darden is, but he’s not done much as a kick returner.
Grayson and Perriman each won a ballgame, but the Bucs need upgrades, most likely through the draft.
Offensive line
Returning: T Donovan Smith, G Ali Marpet, RT Tristan Wirfs, C/G Robert Hainsey, OL Nick Leverett, G Sadarius Hutcherson, T Jonathan Hubbard, C Donell Stanley
2022 free agents: C Ryan Jensen, G Alex Cappa, T Josh Wells, Aaron Stinnie
Re-signing Jensen and/or Cappa is a priority. But the Bucs could replace one of them with Hainsey, the Notre Dame tackle who has converted to center. They also would like to have Stinnie back due to his experience and versatility. No matter what you think of Wells, when healthy, he held up when called upon.
Wirfs, Jensen and Marpet all made the Pro Bowl. But with two starters as free agents, the Bucs have some work to do. In addition to re-signing at least one of their starters, they need to add to their depth on the offensive line through the draft.
Defensive line
Returning: DT Vita Vea, DE Anthony Nelson, DT Rakeem Nunez-Roches, DE Joe Tryon-Shoyinka, DL Elijah Ponder, DT Benning Potoa’e, DT Kobe Smith
Free agents: DT Ndamukong Suh, DE William Gholston, DE Patrick O’Connor, Steve McLendon
Suh, who could retire after 12 seasons, and Gholston are priorities. But the Bucs need to draft a battery mate for Vea, who made the Pro Bowl. The Bucs’ strength has been stopping the run the past three seasons under Todd Bowles. That starts with Suh and Vea. Nunez-Roches has been a big energy guy, but the draft or free agency would need to yield a partner for Vea if Suh calls it a career or signs elsewhere. McLendon was the oldest defensive player in the NFL at 36.
How valuable is the interior defensive line for the Bucs? Those two big guys keep blockers off inside linebackers Devin White and Lavonte David so they can run and hit.
Running back
Returning: Ke’Shawn Vaughn, Kenjon Barner
Free agents: Leonard Fournette, Ronald Jones, Giovani Bernard
Fournette is coming off one of his best seasons as a three-down back, leading the Bucs in rushing with 812 yards and eight touchdowns. He also had 69 receptions for 454 yards and 2 TDs. There was no market for Fournette a year ago, but his projected value is $8 million a year, probably too rich for the Bucs who don’t invest in running backs.
Bernard could return on a one-year deal as a pass-catcher. Right now, it’s Vaughn’s job.
Running back feels like a position the Bucs address in the NFL draft, and there’s no shortage of them in the middle rounds. It’s still primarily a passing offense, so receiving and blocking skills are a must.
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