Mark Dominik has been a very active man the past day. The Bucs just signed Adrian Clayborn, making him the first rookie first-round draft pick to sign a contract. Clayborn will sign a four-year contract with an option for a fifth year based on the salary of the 3rd through 25th most highly paid players at his position in that year. The length of the agreement and the option were prescribed by the new NFL CBA and were hence not up for negotiation.
Third-round draft pick Mason Foster and seventh-rounder Daniel Hardy signed earlier today, making Clayborn the third Buccaneer draft pick to sign. The Bucs were the first team to sign a rookie to a contract, and remain the only team to sign any rookies to contracts. Clearly it's Dominik's priority to get these rookies into training camp and learning the system as quickly as possible. More evidence that he will continue to go with youth at multiple positions.
Meanwhile, Doug Free re-signed with the Dallas Cowboys (well, committed to a contract actually, signings can't happen until Friday). The Bucs were rumored to be hot after Free, but he re-signed for a somewhat underwhelming four-year, $32 million contract with $17 million in guarantees. This still leaves the Bucs with only James Lee as a viable starter at right tackle and not much in the form of competition. Mark Dominik's comment that he wants free agents to fulfill a starting role suggests that he will either go after a starting right tackle, or re-sign Jeremy Trueblood. Don't expect a backup right tackle to be brought in.
While I realize most people want to see a cornerback in free agency, wide receiver and offensive line require more attention. I don't expect Dominik to go after a cornerback, especially so because he wants starters out of free agency. With Ronde Barber and Aqib Talib, the Bucs already have two quality starters. They have little more than adequate starters on the offensive line with Ted Larsen and James Lee.