Best Available Free Agents
March 11th, 2025
Still looking for parts?
OK, Joe is typing this here article late Monday. Free agency is a moving target and there are guys still hooking up with new teams.
So Joe is going to take a stab at some of the best players still available at positions of need for the Bucs, corner and linebacker.
Cornerback
Asante Samuel, Chargers
A 2021 second-round pick by the Chargers, Asante Samuel played at Florida State so he’s used to the heat and humidity. However, his smallish frame (5-10) is not ideal. Surprisingly, he’s not brittle for a little guy. In his first three seasons, he only missed five games.
Last year Samuel did miss most of the season with a shoulder injury. Samuel has admitted he was also dealing with a stinger for years dating back to his college days. Another red flag: Samuel is allergic to tackling.
Mike Hilton, Bengals
If Bucs coach Todd Bowles moves Tykee Smith to safety full-time, then Hilton could be a nice add to the slot. Hilton loves and is effective at blitzing, which is right up Bowles’ alley. And Hilton really good against the run but he tends to be a bit toasty in coverage.
Linebacker
Eric Kendricks, Cowboys
This guy is a tackling machine who had three forced fumbles and two picks last season. That’s the good. Now the bad: He’s 33. Do the Bucs want to pair a 33-year old linebacker with a 35-year old linebacker on the inside? He’s a Mike Zimmer guy, which is why the Cowboys are likely parting ways.
Kyzir White, Cardinals
A smallish linebacker since he’s a converted safety, he is a better pass defender at linebacker than a run-stuffer. Speedy and we all know you cannot coach speed. You either have it or you don’t.
March 11th, 2025 at 4:28 am
What a day yesterday. Appreciate all the updates. White sounds interesting. Maybe some line depth to replace Hainsey.
March 11th, 2025 at 5:36 am
What about Isaiah Simmons at ILB or S? We know Bowles loves flexibility, only 26 years old and he isn’t expensive at $2-3M. High end depth and potential starter.
March 11th, 2025 at 5:52 am
Potential Addition(s)
Offense:
* WR Tyler Boyd (30)*
* WR K.J. Osborn (27)
* WR Lil’Jordan Humphrey (27)
* TE Tyler Conklin (29)*
Defense:
* NT Dalvin Tomlinson (31)*
* DT Tershawn Wharton (27)
* OLB Azeez Ojulari (24)*
* OLB Emmanuel Ogbah (31)
* ILB Justin Strnad (29)*
* CB Isaac Yiadom (29)
March 11th, 2025 at 6:14 am
Potential Addition: DT Levi Onwuzurike (26)
If the price is right, Levi Onwuzurike could be a valuable rotational piece for the Bucs’ defensive front. A former Washington teammate of Vita Vea, he brings versatility and quickness to the interior. While injuries have slowed his progress, he’s flashed disruptive ability in Detroit.
Injury History:
2021: Played 16 games as a rookie.
2022: Missed entire season (back surgery).
2023: Did not play (recovery from back surgery).
2024: Played 16 games, missed one (hamstring).
Total Games Missed: 18
Reuniting him with Vea could help unlock his potential while adding needed depth to the defensive line. If healthy, he’s a low-risk, high-upside option to bolster the rotation.
March 11th, 2025 at 6:40 am
Izien will start at nickel.
Tykes Smith at SS. Winfield at FS.
Merriweather will back them up. And Josh Hayes as a backup nickle/safety.
We can afford to go BPA in this draft.
We have starters at every position.
So we need to build depth.
1. If Jihad Campbell is there, take him, if not trade down.
2. We need a CB to develop behind Dean.
3. We need a NT to rotate with Vea.
4. We need to re-sign Barrett. Let him teach Braswell.
5. We need to re-sign Nelson and Gholston.
I honestly think David and Dennis will be find as starters. Re-sign Deion Jones too.
I say we invest in the trenches again. And a corners.
March 11th, 2025 at 6:44 am
Potential Defensive Line Rotation
* Calijah Kancey | Levi Onwuzurike
* Vita Vea | Dalvin Tomlinson
* Logan Hall | T.J. Sanders
Greg Gaines – Rotates between 0-tech (nose tackle) and 3-tech (interior disruptor).
Honorable Mention(s): Landon Jackson, Alfred Collins, Ty Robinson, Fadil Diggs, Sai’vion Jones.
March 11th, 2025 at 7:12 am
Joe, any news on re-signing veterans? I would love to see Shaq back, and I wouldn’t mind seeing Sterling Shepard back. Though I’m afraid our team may be a retirement home of NFL players.
March 11th, 2025 at 7:44 am
I’d like to see an upgrade from Gaines, we lose a LOT when Vita isn’t on the field. Probably need to draft his replacement anyway
March 11th, 2025 at 8:18 am
White and his coverage skills are very attractive and let’s face it-Bucs are in a 2 year window.
March 11th, 2025 at 8:46 am
Im not sold on bringing Sheppard back. That guy can’t contain his emotions and gets the stupid penalty calls
March 11th, 2025 at 9:20 am
Why is anyone talking about bringing Shepherd back? He’s the kind of guy we can leave as a last minute addition to the camp roster, if at all. He’s not even worth being concerned about.
March 11th, 2025 at 10:02 am
Was hoping we would land Greenlaw which would have reduced the pressure to draft an ILB and let us focus on CB or WR in the first round.
March 11th, 2025 at 11:03 am
Neither of the CBs mentioned are worth the money for the reasons given. I would love to bring in Kyzir White – what kind of loot is he gonna cost?
Sign Bryce Hall back. Please.
And, to the draft….Jihaad Campbell. Trade up if necessary.