The NFL playoffs are in high gear, and this is the time of year when we truly get to see the strengths, weaknesses, and depth of the best teams. The playoffs separate the good teams from the great teams.
Last season, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers shocked everyone by being the first team to play in a home Super Bowl. Not only did they win the NFL championship, but they were the first team to retain all of their offensive and defensive starters after winning the Super Bowl.
Unfortunately, this season's playoff run for the Buccaneers ended last week with a heartbreaking 30-27 loss to the Los Angeles Rams. Now, as we look to the 2022 season, the Buccaneers have a lot of questions. It will be virtually impossible to retain all of their starters again, given the salary cap and expiring contracts. So how will the Bucs retool this year?
Today, we are going to look at some players who could help the Tampa Bay Buccaneers reload their depth and talent.
After losing to the Rams in the NFL Divisional Playoff round, the Bucs are now locked into the 27th pick in the first round of the 2022 NFL draft. That means that many of the elite prospects will be off the board by the time Tampa Bay is on the clock, unless they trade up. This year the Bucs have picks in each of the first five rounds plus a seventh round pick (they traded this year's sixth round pick to the New York Jets back in 2020 in exchange for defensive lineman Steve McLendon.) They would have to put together a package with at least two of these picks if they want to jump up and grab one of those prospects.
If the Bucs stay put at the 27th pick, there are a few determining factors, one of which being the question that is everyone's mind right now:
Will Tom Brady retire?
In the last few days, rumors have been swirling around that Tom Brady may retire from the NFL. As the Bucs will not be defending their title this year (here are Fanduel's Super Bowl odds for the teams remaining in this year's NFL Playoffs), and Brady will turn 45 years of age this year, there isn't much left for Brady to accomplish on the field. He already has the record for most Super Bowl wins with 7, along with many other individual records, including passing yards. If Brady decides to retire, the Bucs are going to need another quarterback.
Kyle Trask was drafted by the Bucs in the second round last year, but are the Bucs ready to hand over the keys to a second-year quarterback who didn't see the field this year? They may choose to sign a veteran QB via free agency or trade in order to win now. Otherwise, if the Bucs choose to go with a young QB, Trask's rookie contract gives them the flexibility to do so.
Which free agents do the Bucs keep?
Starters with expired contracts include WR Chris Godwin, TE Rob Gronkowski (who will likely follow Brady into retirement if that happens), DL Ndamukong Suh and Jason Pierre-Paul, and RB Leonard Fournette. It is unlikely the Bucs can keep them all, so they will have to prioritize who to keep given the salary cap constraints and the competition in the free market. The starters that are not re-signed will have to be replaced through the draft.
Who do the Bucs draft with the 27th pick?
Various mock drafts have Tampa Bay selecting one of the following:
- Kaiir Elam, CB, Florida
- Jameson Williams, WR, Alabama
- Jahan Dotson, WR, Penn State
- Malik Willis, QB, Liberty
- Chris Olave, WR, Ohio State
Any one of these selections would fill a need, although the Bucs will be unlikely to draft a QB if Brady decides to play another season. With three months until the draft, the front office has plenty of work ahead in order to try to make another run at the Super Bowl.
Moonlighting as a blogger to pursue my interest and enjoyment of sports. Former high school and Division I athlete (now a "retired" family man) that loves watching and discussing all sports. Follow me on Twitter (@HoldoutSports) and like Holdout Sports on Facebook.
