With the Super Bowl wrapped up, the Kansas City Chiefs parade out of the way, and nothing but the Scouting Combine between us and free-agency, it’s time to start taking a deeper look at the players who may be available this off-season.

Soon, we here at Bucs Nation are going to start bringing you daily profiles of players we think the Tampa Bay Buccaneers could be looking at when the opening bell is rung and the bidding begins.

But first, I wanted to dive in to each team’s list of upcoming free-agents to tag one from each squad who might be able to keep us from writing draft and free-agent content before February 7th, 2021.

To be clear, these are not deep dives. Those are coming. Consider these as an appetizer to get you ready for the free-agent feast to come. And just for this post, lets get away from the quarterback conversation a bit. No talk about Jameis Winston, Tom Brady, Philip Rivers, Drew Brees, etc. Deal? Deal.

We’re going to go division-by-division, starting with the AFC North.

AFC NORTH

BALTIMORE RAVENS (14-2) | PITTSBURGH STEELERS (8-8) | CLEVELAND BROWNS (6-10) | CINCINNATI BENGALS (2-14)

*Italics identify playoff team(s)

BALTIMORE RAVENS OUTSIDE LINEBACKER, MATT JUDON

In four seasons with the Baltimore Ravens, Matt Judon has played in all but two games. In 2019, the 27-year old reached a career high with 9.5 sacks and brought down ball carriers a total of 54 times, the second highest total in his career thus far.

PITTSBURGH STEELERS OUTSIDE LINEBACKER, BUD DUPREE

From the outside looking in, it feels like the Steelers have been reportedly moving on from Bud Dupree since the day he stepped into the locker room. Still, the linebacker has played in 15 or more games in each of the last three seasons after missing all but seven in 2016. His 11.5 sacks in 2019 couldn’t have come at a better time for the young linebacker, as he’ll likely hit the open market with plenty of suitors looking for pass rush help.

CLEVELAND BROWNS RUNNING BACK, KAREEM HUNT

As far as we know, Kareem Hunt hasn’t repeated the behavior which got him suspended and released from the Kansas City Chiefs prior to his arrival in Cleveland. We also know the Cleveland Browns have a feature back in Nick Chubb who allows them to let Hunt walk this off-season.

CINCINNATI BENGALS WIDE RECEIVER, A.J. GREEN

I’m only putting A.J. Green on here out of respect for my Locked On Bucs Podcast co-host, James Yarcho. Truth be told, I don’t think Green is leaving Cincinnati unless they find a way to not draft Joe Burrow with the first overall pick in the 2020 NFL Draft. If he does though, the Bucs have cap space, and a need to add a third receiving option. Green is no number three option. But having three number one options can only be a plus for the Bucs, no matter who is playing quarterback.

MOST LIKELY TO LAND IN TAMPA: RB, KAREEM HUNT

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NFC NORTH

GREEN BAY PACKERS (13-3) | MINNESOTA VIKINGS (10-6) | CHICAGO BEARS (8-8) | DETROIT LIONS (3-12-1)

*Italics identify playoff team(s)

GREEN BAY PACKERS OFFENSIVE TACKLE, JASON SPRIGGS

When Jason Spriggs came out of Indiana in 2016, there was some buzz around the offensive tackle and what he might become. It hasn’t panned out, and I don’t imagine there’s a scenario where the Packers retain their former second-round draft pick.

MINNESOTA VIKINGS RUNNING BACK, AMEER ABDULLAH

In the 2015 NFL Draft, Bruce Arians - then the head coach of the Arizona Cardinals - coveted a running back he thought would help put his offense together. It was Nebraska’s Ameer Abdullah. But the Detroit Lions swooped in and stole him out from under the Cardinals who got stuck with David Johnson instead. Things worked out for Arians. Not so much for Abdullah. Now, after some time with the Minnesota Vikings, the two could finally join forces as the 26-year old becomes a free-agent in 2020.

CHICAGO BEARS SAFETY, HAHA CLINTON-DIX

HaHa Clinton-Dix has a trait the Tampa Bay Buccaneers defense covets. His versatility in the defensive backfield is valuable when leveraged properly. The Bucs have a good young group of safeties, but none of them are Pro Bowlers by any means. Clinton-Dix is a safety with Pro Bowl potential. Other free-agents in his position group haven’t been getting paid as much as they’d like, but my guy says Clinton-Dix will be pursued and paid pretty well if he escapes Chicago city limits.

DETROIT LIONS DEFENSIVE TACKLE, A’SHAWN ROBINSON

A’Shawn Robinson is the second second-round draft pick in this group who had high hopes surrounding him, and just hasn’t reached his ceiling. Good news is, there’s still a ceiling to reach for. We all loved talking about how well the Buccaneers’ defensive front played, but the truth is, one or two injuries at the top would have left the unit nearly decimated. Robinson is a young player with upside to develop who will come at an affordable cost if the Bucs pursue him. Seems like a prime candidate for a one-year prove it deal.

MOST LIKELY TO LAND IN TAMPA: RB, AMEER ABDULLAH

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AFC EAST

NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS (12-4) | BUFFALO BILLS (10-6) | NEW YORK JETS (7-9) | MIAMI DOLPHINS (5-11)

*Italics identify playoff team(s)

NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS WIDE RECEIVER, PHILLIP DORSETT

When Phillip Dorsett came into the NFL out of “The U”, it was his speed which attracted a lot of attention. Five years later, Dorsett is still fast, but may be looking for his third NFL team coming out of New England after starting off with the Indianapolis Colts. Perhaps a change in conference would help, and being in an offense which covets the ability to stretch the field.

BUFFALO BILLS DEFENSIVE END, SHAQ LAWSON

Ok, my attention given to Shaq Lawson is more about being able to talk about Tampa Bay’s “Shaq Attack” from each side of the line if this were to happen. But, it doesn’t mean there’s not some talent to support the marketing opportunity. Lawson has been playing as a down lineman in Buffalo’s defense for the most part, but in Tampa, I envision he would likely stand up as a pass rushing outside linebacker in Todd Bowles’ defense. Shaq on the left, Shaq on the right. What’s better than one Shaq? Two Shaqs, are twice as nice. Don’t @ me.

NEW YORK JETS WIDE RECEIVER, DEMARYIUS THOMAS

The days of Demaryius Thomas being a number one wide receiver are long gone. The days of him being a number two are also past him, it would seem. Could he be a serviceable number three? Definitely. As much as it might bruise the ego, Thomas’ best bet at being a solid contributor on a winning team is by playing third fiddle to two established guys ahead of him. The Bucs have just the situation to fill that need, and Thomas would be an instant upgrade in the locker room with the ability to make some things happen against defenses focusing their attention on Mike Evans and Chris Godwin.

MIAMI DOLPHINS GUARD, EVAN BOEHM

Up next in the ‘guys who used to play for Bruce Arians’ discussion, is guard Evan Boehm. Boehm played for the Arizona Cardinals in 2016 and 2017, and then for the Colts in 2018 before playing for the Miami Dolphins in 2019. There are those who want the Dolphins to try and retain Boehm, but honestly, it seems unlikely he’ll sign anything before hitting the open market where young linemen with potential get a chance to make a lot of money. Boehm’s Buccaneers contract would probably be incentive heavy, but it’s hard not to feel like you can do anything playing for Bruce Arians. Something Boehm is already familiar with.

MOST LIKELY TO LAND IN TAMPA: OG, EVAN BOEHM

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NFC EAST

PHILADELPHIA EAGLES (9-7) | DALLAS COWBOYS (8-8) | NEW YORK GIANTS (4-12) | WASHINGTON REDSKINS (3-13)

*Italics identify playoff team(s)

PHILADELPHIA EAGLES DEFENSIVE BACK, JALEN MILLS

Some Eagles fans want Jalen Mills gone, and some want him back. While he has had some struggles at corner, he held his own for the most part and flashed some potential when the Eagles used him as a safety. Teams who value versatility and confidence will like Mills, and Philadelphia may have helped the rest of the NFL see Mills’ potential to play in multiple positions, which might lead to his departure from Philly.

DALLAS COWBOYS CORNERBACK, BYRON JONES

Byron Jones’ price tag in free-agency may get so big the Bucs would likely bow out of the race. In fact, they might anticipate it’ll get so high they don’t even bother entering the auction at all. But Jones is an interesting option to consider heading into free-agency, so keeping an eye out for news regarding the Cowboys cornerback is prudent, and likely to be entertaining.

NEW YORK GIANTS OUTSIDE LINEBACKER, MARKUS GOLDEN

Another former Cardinals player, Markus Golden was a player who sparked my interest in the 2019 off-season, and if he enters free-agency again this year it’ll be the same. Spotrac.com puts his market value at $13.5 Million per year, which is a little rich. But depending on how things go with guys like Jason Pierre-Paul and Ndamukong Suh, the Bucs could become buyers in the market, and familiarity with Golden will help them feel more confident about their investment.

WASHINGTON REDSKINS GUARD, BRANDON SCHERFF

Brandon Scherff is projected to land $12.4 Million or so this off-season. The questions is, will it be with the Redskins or with someone else? Washington is projected to have about $40 Million in cap space, so they have the money. Does Scherff want to stick around in what has been one of the most dysfunctional franchises in the NFL? And if not, will the Redskins tag him? I don’t know the answers to these questions, but if he gets away from D.C. the Buccaneers definitely need to try and get him in for a cup of coffee or twenty.

MOST LIKELY TO LAND IN TAMPA: DB, JALEN MILLS

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AFC SOUTH

HOUSTON TEXANS (10-6) | TENNESSEE TITANS (9-7) | INDIANAPOLIS COLTS (7-9) | JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS (6-10)

*Italics identify playoff team(s)

HOUSTON TEXANS CORNERBACK, BRADLEY ROBY

Bradley Roby will be 28 when the 2020 NFL season gets underway. Young enough to make a difference and grow, and old enough to have experience playing with two separate franchise’s with limited success in each. Roby seems best suited to play in a nickel role, and the Buccaneers are in need of depth in their cornerback room. Not sure what Roby’s price tag will be just yet, but if it’s reasonable, then this is a move which could accentuate Roby’s strengths while adding to an up and coming secondary in Tampa.

TENNESSEE TITANS CORNERBACK, LOGAN RYAN

The Titans had an impressive season, especially once they moved to Ryan Tannehill at quarterback over Marcus Mariota. But hey have some big decisions to make, and some big names to re-sign - or not. Logan Ryan could find himself in the second part of the last sentence, and he looks like a perfect fit for what Todd Bowles is trying to do with the Bucs’ secondary. It would push one of the younger guys down the depth chart a bit, but it would also spark some intense camp battling and inspire more growth from a unit which improved weekly during 2019.

INDIANAPOLIS COLTS OFFENSIVE TACKLE, LE’RAVEN CLARK

Folks around the Colts don’t seem to see much potential with Le’Raven Clark outside of his current depth role. Which is why he’ll probably leave Indianapolis looking for more opportunities to grow and play with another team. Guys who bet on themselves, usually do so with a one-year contract and a promise of real competition to try and earn a starting spot on the team. Just like Tampa Bay did with Shaquil Barrett in 2019. It worked out then, it could work out again, and bringing in the young right tackle could prove to be a big move once we get to 2020.

JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS DEFENSIVE END, YANNICK NGAKOUE

Yannick Ngakoue is probably going to end up being a little higher priced than the Buccaneers want to spend. But man, if he landed on Tampa Bay’s defense, it could be something special. And without some pretty impressive cap management, there’s no way the Jags are keeping him. We can dream, cant’ we?

MOST LIKELY TO LAND IN TAMPA: CB, LOGAN RYAN

Winslow Townson-USA TODAY Sports

NFC SOUTH

NEW ORLEANS SAINTS (13-3) | ATLANTA FALCONS (7-9) | TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS (7-9) | CAROLINA PANTHERS (5-11)

*Italics identify playoff team(s)

NEW ORLEANS SAINTS DEFENSIVE LINEMAN DAVID ONYEMATA

Another team with a tricky cap situation, the New Orleans Saints aren’t going to be able to keep everyone. David Onyemata is one player I’d expect the Buccaneers to show interest in if he gets away from New Orleans. Young enough, talented enough, and potential still untapped, Onyemata is the kind of guy this coaching staff is known for getting more out of than they paid for.

ATLANTA FALCONS DEFENSIVE END, VIC BEASLEY

Every off-season we see guys leaving their former team looking to land somewhere they can prove themselves and show the team they left, just what they missed out on. Vic Beasley is a prime candidate to be that guy in 2020. His skill set fits what Todd Bowles likes to do with pass rushers. If the two sides worked out the financial side of things, the Falcons would be facing one extra motivated Buccaneers defender twice per year.

CAROLINA PANTHERS SAFETY, TRE BOSTON

Another former member of the Arizona Cardinals coming available this off-season is Carolina Panthers safety, Tre Boston. Only, he wasn’t in Arizona with Todd Bowles or Bruce Arians. So, I guess it’s not quite the same. Still, Boston has been around the league for a little while, and is still no the right side of 30. As a veteran addition, he could not only help develop the younger safeties in the room, but might even be the starting piece the Buccaneers defense needs to take the next step towards becoming one of the best defenses in the NFL.

MOST LIKELY TO LAND IN TAMPA: DL, DAVID ONYEMATA

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AFC WEST

KANSAS CITY CHIEFS (12-4) | DENVER BRONCOS (7-9) | LAS VEGAS RAIDERS (7-9) | LOS ANGELES CHARGERS (5-11)

*Italics identify playoff team(s)

KANSAS CITY CHIEFS CORNERBACK, BASHAUD BREELAND

From former Washington Redskin, to newly signed Carolina Panther, to having his contract voided by the same Panthers, to Super Bowl Champion with the Kansas City Chiefs. Guess you could say Bashaud Breeland had an interesting 2019-20 NFL year. Now, as a champion, he’ll be seeking out another contract, possibly with another team.

DENVER BRONCOS SAFETY, JUSTIN SIMMONS

It seems the Denver Broncos are basically set to having Justin Simmons playing under the franchise tag in 2020. I’ll keep my opinions on this use of the franchise tag to myself for now. But, until he’s tagged, he’s a potential free-agent. And one so good it’s impossible to ignore the potential of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers having the third most cap space this off-season with one of the league’s best free-safeties still not under contract.

LAS VEGAS RAIDERS SAFETY, KARL JOSEPH

If the Las Vegas Raiders decide to move on from Karl Joseph, he won’t be without a job for long. Jordan Whitehead really established himself as a solid strong safety in 2019, and signing Joseph wouldn’t be so much a replacement as it would be added talent in the spirit of competition. Whoever won the starting job would ensure the Bucs have a really solid guy filling that position.

LOS ANGELES CHARGERS RUNNING BACK, AUSTIN EKELER

The first restricted free-agent on this list, and likely the only one, Austin Ekeler’s future is closely tied to Melvin Gordon’s. If Gordon and the Chargers figure out a new deal to keep the star in Los Angeles, then Ekeler will likely be allowed free to seek out a new deal. If Los Angeles isn’t willing to give Gordon what he wants, then Ekeler is unlikely to leave himself. If you ask me, the Chargers are better off moving forward with Ekeler. But the Bucs are better off going after Ekeler too.

MOST LIKELY TO LAND IN TAMPA: S, KARL JOSEPH

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NFC WEST

SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS (13-3) | SEATTLE SEAHAWKS (11-5) | LOS ANGELES RAMS (9-7) | ARIZONA CARDINALS (5-10-1)

*Italics identify playoff team(s)

SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS SAFETY, JIMMIE WARD

Jimmie Ward is a guy I’ve been championing a bit on the Locked On Bucs Podcast, but his recent comments may impact that a bit. Recently, Ward spoke out saying he wanted to stay with the 49ers, and even said he wants to stay in California. So even if he doesn’t stay in San Francisco, it seems Ward is happy with the state, and would immediately prioritize the Rams and Chargers over other NFL teams in free-agency. He also said he only wants to play safety and isn’t interested in moving around, trying new looks in new schemes. His rigidness isn’t likely to play well with teams who don’t know him personally.

SEATTLE SEAHAWKS OFFENSIVE TACKLE, GERMAIN IFEDI

Seattle’s offensive line hasn’t gotten a lot of love over the years, but there are solid players up front. Ifedi may not have become what they thought he might when they drafted him, and as such, he seems poised to enter free-agency. Looking to replace Demar Dotson, the Buccaneers may take a look at Ifedi as a much younger player who has room to grow while likely breaking even as far as talent is concerned from day one.

LOS ANGELES RAMS OUTSIDE LINEBACKER, DANTE FOWLER JR.

Dante Fowler Jr.’s career didn’t get off to the start he wanted, injured in camp with the Jacksonville Jaguars after being drafted from Florida. He then spent the last part of 2018 with the Los Angeles Rams, and all of 2019 with the same. His 11.5 sacks in 2019 are going to make him a highly sought out free-agent. If the Bucs don’t bring back Jason Pierre-Paul, and don’t bring back Ndamukong Suh, then they may look to bolster their edge with a guy like Fowler while drafting line help in April.

ARIZONA CARDINALS OFFENSIVE TACKLE, D.J. HUMPHRIES

With more than $50 Million in expected cap space, I can’t imagine the Arizona Cardinals actually let D.J. Humphries out of Arizona. But if they do, then it’ll be game on for the left tackle as he travels to as many places as he chooses to find his new gig. If I were him, I’d take some time, and visit as many teams as possible. One of the teams inviting him in, might be the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Yes, they re-signed Donovan Smith in the 2019 off-season. Yes, paying Humphries would mean investing even more money into an offensive line already eating a lot of cap room. But in the interest of getting better in the running game, and taking pressure of the quarterback, this investment could produce post-season dividends.

MOST LIKELY TO LAND IN TAMPA: OT, GERMAINE IFEDI

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31 potential free-agents from 31 NFL teams. When we look at this list, I think the thing to take away is there are plenty of options for the Buccaneers when it comes to filling the needs they have on their roster coming from 2019.

Some are more realistic than others, but in a league where more and more teams are rolling the dice, having the ‘no risk it, no biscuit’ attitude means we can’t truly count any one move or signing completely out, can we?