5 Bucs Make PFF’s Top 100 Free Agent List

Pro Football Focus has come out with its list of top free agents in 2024, and five Bucs players made the Top 100 with a pair of Tampa Bay stars among the Top 20 names. To no one’s surprise, All-Pro safety Antoine Winfield Jr. and wide receiver Mike Evans, a Pro Bowler and a second-team All-Pro, make the list at No. 8 and No. 13, respectively.

Winfield is the top-rated safety in free agency according to PFF, and is projected to get the franchise tag from Tampa Bay, which is a one-year deal worth $17.22 million. There is a chance that happens, or the Bucs and Winfield might agree to terms on a multi-year contract extension worth more than that figure on an annual basis.

Evans had a fantastic season at age 30, reaching 1,000 receiving yards again for the 10th straight year to begin his career, which is a new NFL record. He is projected to fetch a three-year deal worth $23 million per year. PFF projects Evans to sign a $69 million contract in free agency with $52.5 million in guaranteed money.

Tampa Bay won’t let Winfield hit free agency, but the team might let Evans test the free agent waters and bring a contract offer back to the Bucs to see if they will match that offer. It’s hard to imagine Evans playing for any other team than the Bucs next year.

Bucs QB Baker Mayfield’s PFF Free Agent Ranking Is A Bit Puzzling

Bucs ILBs Lavonte David and Devin White – Photo by: Cliff Welch/PR

Bucs inside linebacker Lavonte David just turned 34, but is coming off one of his best years since entering the league in 2012. David came in at No. 39 on Pro Football Focus’ list of free agents in 2024. PFF projects David signing a one-year deal worth $5 million this offseason.

Tampa Bay, which has interest in re-signing David, signed the veteran linebacker to a one-year deal worth $4.5 million in base salary for the 2023 season, but he also cashed in on a performance bonus worth an additional $2.5 million this year.

Pro Football Focus has Bucs quarterback Baker Mayfield as the 75th-ranked free agent in 2024, which comes as a surprise. Mayfield is also the third-ranked QB on the list behind Minnesota’s Kirk Cousins, who ranks second overall, and Tennessee’s Ryan Tannehill, who ranks 68th on the overall free agent list.

PFF projects Cousins to be signed to a two-year deal worth $30 million per year in free agency, yet has the oft-injured Tannehill only slated to make $5.5 million per year over two years. Mayfield is projected to sign a three-year deal worth $75 million with $40 million out of the $75 million guaranteed.

The fact that Mayfield is rated behind Tannehill lacks logic and doesn’t make sense, especially considering that Tannehill had a 68.7 grade per PFF and Mayfield had a PFF grade of 75.9. Mayfield, 28, also started every game this season and performed at a much higher level than the 35-year old Tannehill, who only started 10 games this year.

Mayfield is even rated behind Bucs linebacker Devin White, who is the No. 73-rated free agent. White, who had a poor and inconsistent contract year, is projected to get a one-year deal worth $7 million.

The post 5 Bucs Make PFF’s Top 100 Free Agent List appeared first on Pewter Report.