Scott Reynolds’ Bucs Battle Plan For 2023

The Current State Of The Bucs

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are coming off a season full of accomplishment and disappointment under the first year of head coach Todd Bowles. The Bucs swept the Saints, beat the Rams and won the NFC South for a second straight year. But Bowles’ team finished the season with an 8-9 record – even with Tom Brady at quarterback – and lost a home playoff game to Dallas.

Now, Brady has retired at age 45 after three seasons in Tampa Bay, and the Bucs are at a turning point. The team isn’t doing a fire sale rebuild. Instead, it’s attempting to reload while remaining competitive in a wide-open NFC South division.

General manager Jason Licht has decided to pay off the Super Bowl credit card, which consists of absorbing all $35 million of Brady’s dead cap money this year. The Bucs were $56 million over the salary cap just days before the start of free agency and have begun to make some cap cuts.

Left tackle Donovan Smith was released and saves the team just under $10 million. Running back Leonard Fournette was also cut and saves the team nearly $3.5 million. Tight end Cam Brate was also released and saved Tampa Bay just over $2 million. Up next will be some contract restructures or extensions by vice president of football administration Mike Greenberg, who is the team’s capologist.

Tampa Bay has 22 unrestricted free agents, including several starters like linebacker Lavonte David, cornerbacks Jamel Dean and Sean Murphy-Bunting, safeties Mike Edwards, Logan Ryan and Keanu Neal, in addition to defensive linemen like Akiem Hicks, Will Gholston and others. Tampa Bay can’t afford to bring them all back.

The biggest question will be at quarterback, where the team is resigned to the fact that it can’t land a big name via trade or in free agency. Unproven third-year QB Kyle Trask is the only one under contract, but the Bucs will sign at least one veteran to provide competition.

Bowles made some changes on the coaching staff this offseason, firing offensive coordinator Byron Leftwich and several offensive assistants. Dave Canales, Seattle’s former QBs coach and passing game coordinator, takes over for Leftwich as the play-caller. Brad Idzik is the new receivers coach and Skip Peete is the new running backs coach. Thad Lewis was promoted to QBs coach, while George Edwards joins the staff to coach outside linebackers.

Explaining The Bucs Battle Plans For 2023

PewterReport.com writers Scott Reynolds, Matt Matera, Josh Queipo, Bailey Adams, JC Allen and Adam Slivon have devised their own Bucs Plans For the 2023 offseason. These come complete with free agent signings, trades, roster moves and draft picks to hopefully help Tampa Bay three-peat as NFC South champions and make another playoff run.

Remember, these Bucs Battle Plans are how the PewterReport.com staff members would reshape the team this offseason – not necessarily what we think Tampa Bay will do in free agency and the draft, although there could be some overlap with certain players the team may be targeting.

The Bucs have until Wednesday at 4:00 p.m. ET to get into cap compliance and trim millions through cuts, restructures or extensions from the current salary cap overage.

Licht and Greenberg can create plenty of salary cap space by restructuring the contracts of several players and lowering their 2023 cap values. Wide receiver Chris Godwin ($23,750,000 cap value in 2023), wide receiver Mike Evans ($23,698,500), outside linebacker Shaquil Barrett ($21,252,941), cornerback Carlton Davis III ($18,215,686), nose tackle Vita Vea ($15,651,652) and center Ryan Jensen ($15,000,000) are the prime candidates.

The free agents that Tampa Bay signs and re-signs will all have one or two years worth of guaranteed money. That’s a Greenberg staple when it comes to contracts. But the first-year salaries will also be lower than the average yearly cap value of the contract to help the Bucs’ cap in 2023. The cap is expected to rise in 2024 and Tampa Bay can defer some money into later years.

Reynolds’ Bucs Battle Plan For The 2023 Offseason

The strategy I typically follow in my Bucs Battle Plan each year is to be as realistic as possible. I leave the fantasy football moves to the other Pewter Reporters. I try to project what Licht would or could do instead of getting outlandish with my roster moves. That may make my Bucs Battle Plan a little less fun to read than the other Pewter Reporters’, but it may give you some insight into what Tampa Bay is planning to do.

Like the Bucs, I’m not going to re-sign all of the team’s free agents. I’ll bring back some key pieces in free agency and target cheaper, younger players in the 2023 NFL Draft. But I’m playing it close to the vest salary cap-wise so that the Bucs can be in excellent cap shape next year – when the 2024 QB draft class should be better. Tampa Bay will need money to sign Devin White, Tristan Wirfs and Antoine Winfield Jr. to extensions, so I have to be prudent with the spending this year.

Bucs Restructures

NT Vita Vea – Vea’s high base salary is converted to a bonus. This lowers his cap hits throughout much of his contract and his 2023 cap value goes from $15,651,652 to $6,799,887.

WR Chris Godwin – Godwin signed a three-year, $60 million deal last offseason. Taking his 2023 base salary down to around $6 million with a restructure frees up $14.19 million in cap room in 2023.

C Ryan Jensen – Jensen signed a three-year, $39 million contract last year prior to injuring his knee in camp and missing the regular season. Restructuring Jensen’s deal saves the team $8.5 million in cap space this year.

CB Carlton Davis III – Davis also signed a three-year pact with the Bucs last offseason. Restructuring creates $6.71 million in savings in 2023.

Bucs Cuts

WR Russell Gage — Gage was injured for most of the 2022 season with a hamstring strain and didn’t even average nine yards per catch, as the injury robbed him of his quickness. He’s not worth $10 million per year, and releasing him saves $2,833,332.

Bucs Trade Out Of The First Round

Once again, Licht has said that the real value in this year’s draft is in the middle rounds, and I concur. I’ll trade down in the first round with Kansas City and pick at the bottom of the first.

The Chiefs have 12 draft picks. By trading down from No. 19 to No. 32, I’ll acquire additional picks in the second round (No. 63) and the sixth round (No. 217). Then, I’ll trade down with the Giants in the second round from No. 50 to number 57 and pick up additional selections in the fourth (No. 128) and fifth rounds (No. 162).

In addition to expected compensatory picks in the fifth round (Jordan Whitehead) and the seventh round (O.J. Howard), these moves give the Bucs 13 draft picks this year. Tampa Bay traded away its own fourth-round pick last year for the pick that landed Zyon McCollum.

Tampa Bay’s 2023 NFL Draft Picks
Round 1 – No. 31 (from Kansas City)
Round 2 – No. 57 (from New York Giants)
Round 2 – No. 63 (from Kansas City)
Round 3 – No. 82
Round 4 – No. 128 (from New York Giants)
Round 5 – No. 155
Round 5 – No. 162 (from New York Giants)
Round 5 – No. 175 (expected compensatory pick)
Round 6 – No. 181 (from Indianapolis)
Round 6 – No. 196
Round 6 – No. 217 (from Kansas City)
Round 7 – No. 232
Round 7 – No. 253 (expected compensatory pick)

Unrestricted Free Agents Re-Signed

LB Lavonte David – 3 years, $21 million

David must retire as a Buccaneer! So, he’s re-signed to a three-year deal with 2025 being a voidable year. Tampa Bay needs his leadership and steadying presence on defense. Next stop – Bucs Ring of Honor.

QB Blaine Gabbert – 1 year, $3 million

The Bucs will probably sign Jacoby Brissett to challenge Kyle Trask. But me? I’m the conductor of the Blaine Train, so Tampa Bay re-signs the athletic, charismatic, good-looking hero of a QB to give him a chance to become the next Geno Smith.

DL Will Gholston – 1 year, $2.5 million

I’m sentimental and Golston is one of my favorite locker room guys. His skills are in decline, but he’s a great leader and can still play 20-30 quality snaps per game against the run.

OLB Carl Nassib – 1 year, $2.5 million

Nassib is another one of my favorites. Crazy Carl comes back and brings a physical presence and some needed juice in practice and on game days.

S Logan Ryan – 1 year, $2.5 million

Ryan is ultra-cerebral and reminds me of Ronde Barber, who was my favorite Buccaneer. He still has another year in him as a key reserve.

S Keanu Neal – 1 year, $2.5 million

Neal has some holes in his game, especially downfield in coverage, but I like his physicality in the box and as a blitzer. He’s a quasi-linebacker with his big frame.

CB Sean Murphy-Bunting – 1 year, $2.5 million

The free agent market is soft for Murphy-Bunting, so he comes back to Tampa Bay on a one-year, prove-it deal.

DL Rakeem Nunez-Roches – 1 year, $2 million

Nacho comes back because he’s a stud reserve at nose tackle and defensive tackle. Like Nassib, Nunez-Roches also brings the juice – and he got two sacks last year.

DL Pat O’Connor – 1 year, $1,080,000

O’Connor is an emerging nickel rusher and a special teams staple. POC is a great locker room guy and a friend of the program.

Restricted Free Agents Not Re-Signed

OLB Cam Gill

Gill has speed and is a quality special teamer, but the plan is to re-sign Carl Nassib and draft a better edge rusher or two.

Exclusive Rights Free Agents Re-Signed

OL Nick Leverett – 1 year, $940,000

Leverett got some extensive playing time at left guard last year played well. He’s a competitor who deserves to return and vie for the starting left guard spot.
 
CB Dee Delaney – 1 year, $940,000

Delaney has plenty of experience in Todd Bowles’ system and can play outside cornerback, slot cornerback and safety in a pinch.

Unrestricted Free Agents Not Re-Signed

CB Jamel Dean

The Bucs just can’t afford two high-priced corners right now, so Dean leaves via free agency.

DT Akiem Hicks

Hicks disappointed in his lone year in Tampa, finishing with one sack while battling injuries.

WR Julio Jones

The 34-year old Jones is cooked and can’t run or stay healthy anymore.

WR Scotty Miller

Miller needs a fresh start elsewhere, as he never developed into anything more than a go-route guy.

WR Breshad Perriman

Perriman has trouble staying healthy and didn’t make much of an impact with the Bucs.

TE Kyle Rudolph

Rudolph can’t run anymore and his blocking ability has diminished with age.

LG Aaron Stinnie

Stinnie wasn’t going to make the team last year if he didn’t hurt his knee last August.

RB Giovani Bernard

Bernard is getting long in the tooth and is oft-injured.

OLB Anthony Nelson

Nelson might get a sizeable deal elsewhere and the Bucs can’t afford a big contract.

S Mike Edwards

Edwards underwhelmed as a starter and wasn’t as good as Jordan Whitehead, but he’ll price himself out of Tampa Bay.

OLB Genard Avery

The Bucs can find better outside linebackers in the 2023 NFL Draft, which is flush with edge rushers.

DL Deadrin Senat

Senat was a nice reserve tackle, but the Bucs can upgrade with a more talented D-lineman this year.

OT Josh Wells

Wells suffered a bad knee injury on Christmas and will miss at least half the 2023 season.

New Unrestricted Free Agents Signed

QB Drew Lock – 1 year, $1.038 million

Yes, Lock is the only new free agent I’m signing. The Bucs need to get right with their salary cap this year so Tampa Bay can be more of a player in free agency in 2024. Lock knows Dave Canales’ offense and can help the other QBs pick up the system. The 26-year-old Lock still has some upside, and who knows? He could be a surprise contender to start.

Reynolds’ 2023 Bucs Draft Picks

Round 1 (from Chiefs) – Oklahoma OT Anton Harrison • 6-4, 315 • Junior

The selection of a young, athletic left tackle like Harrison allows the Bucs to keep Tristan Wirfs at right tackle. Harrison has quick feet and enough size to be a blindside pass protector in the NFL. And he’s good enough to start right away as a rookie after being battle-tested in the Big XII.

Round 2 (from Giants) – Kansas State OLB Felix Anudike-Uzomah • 6-3, 255 • Junior

Anudike-Uzomah is one of the best edge rushers in the 2023 NFL Draft. He racked up 19.5 sacks as a two-year starter and racked up eight forced fumbles. Anudike-Uzomah, the Big XVII Defensive Player of the Year, has tremendous bend and body control to turn the corner at the top of the arc and bring the QB down. The K-State star provides a security blanket in case Joe Tryon-Shoyinka doesn’t pan out or Shaq Barrett doesn’t return to full health.

Round 2 (from Chiefs) – Bowling Green DT Karl Brooks • 6-4, 304 • Senior

Brooks turned heads at the Senior Bowl, but wound up being a Combine snub. The Bowling Green star was an edge rusher at 300 pounds last year, where he recorded 10 of his 27.5 career sacks. A move inside is a must for a player his size, but Brooks showed he could handle the transition at the Senior Bowl.

Round 3 – Kansas State CB Julius Brents • 6-3, 195 • Senior

Due to his elite athleticism in the 3-cone drill (6.63) and vertical jump (41.5 inches), Brents could go anywhere from the second to the fourth round. His career film is OK, but he really came on during his senior season and had a good week at the Senior Bowl, which helped his stock. Brents has the wingspan of a pterodactyl and Todd Bowles loves tall, long-armed cornerbacks.

Round 4 (from Giants) – Tulane RB Tyjae Spears • 5-10, 201 • Senior

Spears isn’t a big back, but has tremendous ability to break and slip tackles. With tremendous vision and cutback ability, Spears is a perfect fit for the Bucs’ wide zone run game. He is also a great receiver out of the backfield and would make a great complement to Rachaad White.

Round 5 – Illinois DB Jartavius Martin • 5-10, 194 • Senior

Martin ran a 4.46 (1.47 10-yard split) in the 40-yard dash at the Combine, and may not be available in the fifth round. As a five-year starter, Martin racked up seven interceptions and 22 pass breakups, including 11 in 2022. He’s a playmaking defensive back who played mostly in the slot, which is where he would play in Tampa Bay.

Round 5 (from Giants) – Louisville OLB YaYa Diaby • 6-3, 263 • Senior

Diaby is a tremendous athlete, and his 4.51 time in the 40-yard dash (1.57 10-yard split) opened eyes in Indianapolis, especially for a player his size. Diaby needs some polish and development, but he would be a great developmental pass rusher as well as a star on special teams coverage units.

Round 5 (compensatory pick) – Cincinnati TE Josh Whyle • 6-6, 248 • Senior

Whyle had a great Combine, where he ran a 4.69 in the 40-yard dash. He had 15 total touchdowns at Cincinnati, and he caught 12 touchdowns from Desmond Ridder from 2020-21. He has great size and speed and will compete with Cade Otton for the right to start.

Round 6 (from Colts) – USC OL Andrew Vorhees • 6-6, 310 • Senior

Unfortunately, Vorhees tore his ACL during on-field drills at the Combine last week. That means he’ll be out for his entire rookie season. But Vorhees could compete for a starting job in 2024 either at left guard or by replacing Shaq Mason at right guard. A guard with second- or third-round potential, he’ll be a steal in the sixth round.

Round 6 – Purdue TE Payne Durham • 6-5, 253 • Senior

Durham was a touchdown-scoring machine at Purdue, where he scored 21 times in four years. He opened some eyes at the Senior Bowl with some acrobatic catches, especially in the red zone. Durham will compete to be the Bucs’ starter or backup.

Round 6 (from Chiefs) – Jackson State ILB Aubrey Miller Jr. • 6-2, 225 • Senior

The Bucs could use another inside linebacker to groom to eventually replace Lavonte David. Miller went to the Senior Bowl, but was snubbed from the Combine because he went to Jackson State, where he had 23.5 tackles for loss, 8.5 sacks, six forced fumbles and three fumble recoveries over the last two years. Miller is a fast and physical linebacker.

Round 7 Florida WR Justin Shorter • 6-4, 229 • Senior

If Kyle Trask is going to be the guy, why not give him one of his familiar weapons from Florida? Shorter is a big receiver with good speed and averaged 19.9 yards per catch last year for the Gators. He’s a developmental wideout who could learn from a player with a similar body type in Mike Evans. Shorter is also a great blocker on the perimeter in the running game.

Round 7 (compensatory pick) Kansas State WR Malik Knowles • 6-2, 196 • Senior

Another K-State Wildcat? Sure, why not? I’m a KSU alum. Knowles has some serious upside as a receiver after catching 14 TDs and averaging over 15 yards per catch in each of the last three seasons. He also has speed to burn on end arounds, where he averaged 20 yards per carry and scored three TDs last year, and in the return game where he scored three career touchdowns and averaged 27.7 yards per return.

Reynolds’ “Way Too Early” Bucs 53-Man Roster Projection

QUARTERBACKS – 3
Blaine Gabbert
Kyle Trask
Drew Lock
Analysis: Gabbert vs. Trask – this time for the starting job instead of being Tom Brady’s backup. Can Gabbert 2.0 be a Geno Smith-type player and enjoy a career renaissance in his 30s? Or will Trask live up to his draft billing and rise and claim the starting job in Dave Canales’ QB-friendly system? Lock can help Gabbert and Trask learn the system.

RUNNING BACKS – 4
Rachaad White
Tyjae Spears
Ke’Shawn Vaughn
Lew Nichols
Analysis: The versatile White will get the chance to start while Vaughn enters a contract year with the chance to compete for more carries. Spears brings speed and pass-catching ability to the backfield, while Central Michigan’s Lew Nichols, who is signed as an undrafted free agent, is a tackle-breaking, angry runner.

TIGHT ENDS – 4
Cade Otton
Josh Whyle
Payne Durham
Ko Kieft
Analysis: The Bucs’ tight end room is just as young as the running back room. Otton has the chance to be a starting tight end or a solid No. 2. Kieft is a blocker and special teams stud. Durham and Whyle are versatile pass-catchers, both with starting potential down the road. Whyle has great length and catch radius, while Durham is a red zone TD machine.

WIDE RECEIVERS – 5
Mike Evans
Chris Godwin
Deven Thompkins
Justin Shorter
Malik Knowles
Analysis: Evans and Godwin are still a formidable 1-2 punch at receiver. Thompkins has speed to burn and can help in the return game. Shorter is a big receiver with sneaky deep speed, and Knowles’ speed can be used as a receiver, on end arounds and as a kick returner.

OFFENSIVE LINE – 10
Anton Harrison
Robert Hainsey
Ryan Jensen
Shaq Mason
Tristan Wirfs
Luke Goedeke
Nick Leverett
Brandon Walton
Dylan Cook
John Molchon
Analysis: Andrew Vorhees will spend his rookie season on the PUP list as he tore his ACL at the NFL Scouting Combine. Vorhees could replace Mason, who will be a free agent, next year. Harrison replaces Donovan Smith, with Robert Hainsey stepping in at left guard with Jensen returning at center. Wirfs is an All-Pro at right tackle and the Bucs can leave him there. Goedeke can compete at guard or back up Wirfs at right tackle. Leverett is a reserve guard and center along with Molchon. Walton and Cook are backup left tackle candidates, with Walton having the ability to kick inside to guard too.

DEFENSIVE LINE – 6
Vita Vea
Logan Hall
Will Gholston
Karl Brooks
Rakeem Nunez-Roches
Patrick O’Connor
Analysis: Vea is one of the best tackles in the league, while Hall is expected to put on 20 pounds of muscle this offseason to start next to him and replace Akiem Hicks. Gholston and Nunez-Roches return to provide depth, while Brooks is a big, quick, athletic body upfront. O’Connor returns to get a few snaps on defense and star on special teams.

OUTSIDE LINEBACKERS – 5
Shaq Barrett
Joe Tryon-Shoyinka
Felix Anudike-Uzomah
Carl Nassib
Yaya Diaby
Analysis: Tryon-Shoyinka needs to step up and become a double-digit sacker this year – no excuses. The Bucs hope Barrett can return to form after injuring his Achilles last year. Drafting Anudike-Uzomah gives Tampa Bay some long-range insurance in case Tryon-Shoyinka doesn’t improve or Barrett can’t get healthy. Nassib brings toughness and juice, while Diaby is a big-bodied athlete and an up-and-coming pass rusher.

INSIDE LINEBACKERS – 4
Devin White
Lavonte David
Aubrey Miller
K.J. Britt
Analysis: White has all the potential in the world to be a perennial Pro Bowler. He just needs to be consistent on a weekly basis. David returns to be a steadying force on defense. Miller could be David’s heir apparent, while Britt excels on special teams.

CORNERBACKS – 5
Carlton Davis III
Julius Brents
Sean Murphy-Bunting
Zyon McCollum
Don Gardner
Analysis: Brents has the athletic tools and the physicality to start opposite Davis. Murphy-Bunting returns to provide depth at slot cornerback and on the outside. McCollum and Gardner are developmental outside corners and special teams aces.

SAFETIES – 4
Antoine Winfield Jr.
Logan Ryan
Keanu Neal
Quan Martin
Analysis: Winfield is a stud in the secondary who will spend more time at free safety rather than the slot. Ryan and Neal return for another year. Ryan’s experience and communication are invaluable, while Neal brings toughness and a physical presence. Martin has the versatility to play in the slot or in the box.
 
SPECIALISTS – 3
Ryan Succop
Jake Camarda
Zach Triner
Analysis: Succop can’t hit long-range kicks anymore, so the Bucs won’t kick them. But he’s very accurate inside 47 yards. Maybe Camarda’s booming legs can be used on long-distance field goals, in addition to serving as Tampa Bay’s punter. Triner returns as the long-snapper.

What Did You Think?

  Did you like my Bucs Battle Plan for the 2023 offseason? Does it adequately address Tampa Bay’s needs? Which additions did you like best? Let me know what you think in the article comments section below.

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