San Francisco 49ers linebacker Dre Greenlaw (57) looms over Los Angeles Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford Dec. 12 in Santa Clara, Calif. Greenlaw could be a target for the Bucs in free agency. [ GODOFREDO A. VÁSQUEZ | Associated Press, 2024 ]
TAMPA — Tom Brady is the Bucs' greatest free-agent acquisition, as unexpected as it was unorthodox.
To get Brady’s signature on a contract during the pandemic in 2020, assistant general manager Mike Greenberg had to enlist the help of his brother-in-law. Jake Gellerman, who lived in New York City, delivered the deal to the apartment of the soon-to-be former Patriots quarterback and sent it back to the Bucs.
TB12 headed to TB will always be tough to beat for impact. Linebacker Shaquil Barrett, who signed a one-year, $4 million prove-it deal in 2019, burst onto the scene with a club-record 19½ sacks, six forced fumbles and an interception. Baker Mayfield has set and reset career highs in passing yards and touchdowns each of his first two seasons in Tampa Bay.
Those are the outliers, because, generally speaking, Bucs general manager Jason Licht prefers to retain the team’s own free agents rather than overspend for mostly older, overpriced ones.
Re-signing receiver Chris Godwin is a priority. But that’s not to say there aren’t free agents who have drawn interest from the Bucs, particularly on defense.
Edge rushers such as the Browns’ Myles Garrett and Bengals' Trey Hendrickson may be available via trade. But here are some unrestricted free agents who might pique the Bucs’ interest and why they might or might not be a good fit in Tampa Bay.
Edge rushers
Texans quarterback C.J. Stroud (7) is sacked by the Chargers' Khalil Mack during an AFC wild-card game Jan. 11 in Houston. The Bucs have interest in Mack, who is 34 but just one year removed from 17 sacks in 2023.
Khalil Mack, Chargers
The Bucs have confirmed their interest in Mack, who is 34 but one just year removed from 17 sacks in 2023.
Mack, with nine Pro Bowl appearances, four first-team All-Pro selections and an NFL Defensive Player of the Year award with the Raiders in 2016, could be a walking future first ballot Hall of Famer.
He produced only six sacks last season but earned a $19.2 million salary.
Joey Bosa, Chargers
Bosa was released by the Chargers Wednesday for salary-cap reasons. He was averaging $20.18 million per year.
But Bosa has missed 23 games since the start of the 2022 season. While he did manage to play 14 games in 2024, he had only five sacks. For perspective, Bucs free agent-to-be Anthony Nelson has averaged around 4.4 over the past five seasons while playing part time and averaging $5 million each of the last two years. The last time Bosa reached double-digit sacks was when he had 10½ in 2021.
The Lions, Bears and virtually every NFC South team would seem to be a fit for Bosa. But there is a belief that the 29-year-old wants to be reunited with his brother, Nick, in San Francisco. Plus, the Bucs may be too wary of his injury history to make a real bid for him.
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Josh Sweat, Eagles
Philadelphia Eagles linebacker Josh Sweat (19), sacking Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes, might have been the best player on the field in Super Bowl 59.
Sweat was a key member of the Super Bowl 59 champions, leading the Eagles with eight sacks this past season. He had 2½ more and three quarterback hits in the title game against the Chiefs.
Sweat will turn 28 later this month. Spotrac projects the fair market value of his next contract at three years, $56.466 million.
He’s likely to have a pretty fertile market despite reaching double-digit sack numbers only once in seven seasons, with 11 in 2022. But he still has some upside and is in the prime of his career.
Azeez Ojulari, Giants
Ojulari, only 24, is an interesting prospect, much like Barrett was after four seasons in Denver. Ojulari set a Giants rookie record with eight sacks in 2021 but had only eight over the next two seasons while being limited to 18 games due to injury.
While playing as a backup, Ojulari had five sacks and 14 tackles over a three-game span last season. He finished the year back on injured reserve with a ruptured ligament in his toe. Here’s the biggest plus: He’s a year younger than Yaya Diaby.
Others available:
K’Lavon Chaisson, Raiders; Michael Hoecht, Rams; Haason Reddick, Eagles; Malcolm Koonce, Raiders; Matt Judon, Falcons; DeMarcus Lawrence, Cowboys; Chase Young, Saints; Charles Omenihu, Chiefs; Marcus Davenport, Lions; Dante Fowler, Commanders.
Inside linebackers
If healthy, San Francisco 49ers inside linebacker Dre Greenlaw would be the perfect complement to the Bucs' SirVocea Dennis, with his combination of coverage and tackling skills.
Dre Greenlaw, 49ers
The Bucs still are waiting to see whether Lavonte David wants to return for a 14th season. He’s 35 but has earned the right to decide. Whether he does or not, the Bucs need to address the position.
Greenlaw suffered a torn Achilles in Super Bowl 58 following the 2023 season and was shut down after only 34 snaps last season. If healthy, he would be an ideal addition for the Bucs, with his combination of coverage and tackling skills.
Greenlaw is only 27 and had 120 or more tackles in a season twice. He’d be the perfect complement to SirVocea Dennis and could help immediately on passing downs.
Ernest Jones, Seahawks
Jones, 25, underwent minor knee surgery after the season. With 138 tackles, including 77 solo stops, he was very productive in 16 games between the Titans and Seahawks. He is more of a run-stopper than a coverage man, but he can do both. A solid player when healthy, and not a pricey option.
Nick Bolton, Chiefs
Bolton is only 24 and a valuable member of Steve Spagnuolo’s defense for the Chiefs. He had an astounding 180 tackles in 2022. He is a versatile player who can rush the passer and is good in coverage.
Defensive backs
San Francisco 49ers cornerback Charvarius Ward, who had five interceptions in 2023, could be the ball hawk Bucs coach Todd Bowles is looking for.
Charvarius Ward, 49ers
The Bucs could look to move on from cornerback Jamel Dean, who is in the final year of his contract. Like Carlton Davis, who was traded to the Lions a year ago, Dean is often injured and has just one interception over the past two seasons.
Ward could be the perfect addition. With five interceptions in 2023, he is the ball hawk that head coach Todd Bowles is looking for.
Last season was marked by personal tragedy, when Ward’s 1-year old daughter died after battling heart problems.
Nate Hobbs, Raiders
Hobbs fits the profile of a Bowles defensive back. He’s tall (6-1), has long arms and fits the ball hawk requirement. He can play outside at cornerback or in the slot and could be used not dissimilar to the way Sean Murphy-Bunting was deployed. Hobbs can do a little of everything and does it well. He has 281 tackles, three sacks, three interceptions and three forced fumbles in 51 games over four seasons.
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Rick Stroud is a sports reporter covering the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Reach him at rstroud@tampabay.com.