Josh Queipo’s Bucs Battle Plan For 2025

Explaining The Bucs Battle Plans For 2025

PewterReport.com writers Scott Reynolds, Matt Matera, Josh Queipo, Bailey Adams and Adam Slivon have devised their own Bucs Plans for the 2025 offseason. These come complete with their individualized free agent signings, trades, roster moves and draft picks to hopefully help Tampa Bay earn a playoff spot for the sixth straight year.

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.

Josh Queipo’s Bucs Battle Plan For The 2025 Offseason

The NFC South is improving. The Falcons, and Panthers all of a sudden look like they have their quarterbacks of the future to build around. The Bucs are still in the driver’s seat of the division with the most talented roster and plenty of cap flexibility, but they will need to be smart about maximizing their new Super Bowl window. There is an opportunity to add premium and complementary talent to a team that is already one of the better rosters in the NFC to get them over-the-hump.

I have four priorities this offseason. 1) Infuse the defense with talent at every level and at both the top and bottom of the roster. 2) Flood the inside linebacker room. 3) Prevent complacency on the offensive side of the ball. 4) Be prepared to capitalize on value for long-term growth even if there is not a short-term need.

I am also basing this on a hypothetical budget of $305 million in cash spending for the year.

Bucs Contract Restructures

S Antoine Winfield Jr. – $14,872,500 cap saved
LT Tristan Wirfs – $19,864,000 cap saved
K Chase McLaughlin – $1,165,000 cap saved
QB Baker Mayfield – $21,558,750 cap saved

Bucs Cuts

S Jordan Whitehead – This move saves the Bucs $4.5 million in salary cap space with no dead money. It was already reported that Tampa Bay made this decision as well. The injury concerns surrounding Whitehead in his neck stemming from his late season car accident are the biggest driver of this decision for me.

Bucs Trades

CB Jamel Dean, Second-Round Pick For DE Trey Hendrickson – This was a difficult decision for me, and I imagine it will be equally difficult for the Bucs. Dean is a talented corner when healthy. One of the 20 best in the NFL in my opinion. But the injury concerns are real, and the money saved – not cap space, but actual dollars spent – will help bring in the replacement I have in mind for him.

I package Dean and the Bucs second-round pick, No. 53 overall, and send them to the Bengals for star edge rusher Trey Hendrickson. That deal would be contingent on an extension for Hendrickson, which I have projected at three years for $82.5 million.

Unrestricted Free Agents Re-Signed

WR Chris Godwin – 3 years, $57 million

Godwin was playing at one of the highest levels of his career before he dislocated his ankle in Week 8. I am going to bet on his resolve and character that he would return to a high-level of play. Though I do think he’s probably never getting back to his best play. The deal is short enough and for a reasonable amount of money, it would currently rank 23rd among active receiver contracts in APY, that I feel good about the risk overall.

I also get this deal done prior to the March 12th void date on Godwin’s deal helping to push back $11.318 million of his would-be dead cap from his previous deal into future years and helping the Bucs in 2025 from a cap perspective.

LG Ben Bredeson – 1 year, $5 million

Bredeson is the perfect player to get you by while you look for upgrades. He presents the opportunity for continuity across the offensive line, with a solid floor. But the investment doesn’t preclude me from finding a better option in free agency or the draft, or letting 2024 sixth-round pick Elijah Klein beat him out in training camp. If that happens, he is a well-paid backup with positional flexibility. That’s a good thing to have!

QB Kyle Trask – 1 year, $4 million

Trask is familiar with the terminology and the team. He hasn’t done anything to not keep the backup job. And he’s looked solid in preseason action. I’d trust him to steer the ship if Baker Mayfield were to miss a game or two.

OT Justin Skule – 1 year, $1.5 million

Despite a rough debut in 2024 against Aidan Hutchinson in Week 2, Skule proved he is one of the better swing tackles in the NFL last year filling in for both Tristan Wirfs and Luke Goedeke. A good backup lineman is hard to find. And I want to keep the one the Bucs already have.

WR Sterling Shepard – 1 year, $1.65 million

Shepard may aggravate some fans, but he was an underrated part of the Bucs offense last year, doing so much of the dirty work and getting open way more often than he was given credit for. That’s a good depth piece that helps out when you least expect it.

CB Tavierre Thomas – 1 year, $1.5 million

Thomas proved to be a special teams ace last year. And the Bucs improved in that area considerably outside of their punter troubles. I want Thomas leading another improved unit in 2025.

G Royce Newman – 1 year, $1.17 million

The offensive line market this offseason is slim pickings. Newman wasn’t needed last year because Bredeson and Cody Mauch both went wire-to-wire. But he brings starting experience and decent draft pedigree as a depth piece.

Unrestricted Free Agents Not Re-Signed

LB Lavonte David (Retired)
DL Adam Gostsis
DL Greg Gaines
DL Will Gholston
RB Chase Edmonds
C Robert Hainsey
OLB Joe Tryon Shoyinka
OLB Anthony Nelson
OLB Shaq Barrett
CB Troy Hill
ILB K.J. Britt
S Mike Edwards
S Ryan Neal
CB Bryce Hall
OL Sua Opeta
DL Eric Banks

Restricted/Exclusive Rights Free Agents Re-Signed

ILB J.J. Russell

Outside of Lavonte David, Russell contributed the best linebacker play for the team down the stretch last year. Bringing him back is an unguaranteed commitment to help shore up depth on the roster. It doesn’t guarantee a roster spot in the end, though.

S Kaevon Merriweather

Merriweather lacks the agility to be a reliable starter at safety, but much like Russell I am bringing him back for depth/insurance. My hope is to elevate the roster, but having Merriweather as the 54rd man on the roster wouldn’t be terrible.

New Unrestricted Free Agents Signed

CB Paulson Adebo – 2 years, $24 million

Adebo is one of my big upside signings. His 2023 play had him set to be one of the highest-paid corners in the NFL this offseason. Unfortunately for Adebo, he had a down 2024 that included some injuries. His misfortune in 2024 provides a huge opportunity for my version of the Bucs in 2025. Adebo matches the size and length parameters the Bucs look for in a perimeter corner and he is adept as both a man coverage and as a deep third Cover 3 player as well. The best part is I think I can get him for two years at a mid-tier rate at $12 million per season with an opportunity to extend him next year if he does well.

ILB Jamien Sherwood – 3 years, $32 million

Sherwood is a do-it-all backer that can work as the backbone of the unit. Sherwood earned a starting spot in a talented linebacker room last year working in a Robert Saleh defense that asks a lot of his middle-of-the-field defenders. Sherwood was more than up to the task. It is my bet that he can do the same for the Bucs.

DT Poona Ford – 2 years, $13 million

Ford has worked on a string of low-cost, one-year deals over the past several years and he has constantly outperformed them. This past year has been one of his best, putting him in position to get a more lucrative deal. Still, this doesn’t represent a breaking of the bank. He provides an upgrade over Greg Gaines as a versatile run-stuffer who can push the pocket. Ford had 25 pressures and 23 defensive stops last year.

ILB Tyrel Dodson – 3 years, $16.5 million

Dodson is one of the best coverage linebackers in the NFL in my opinion. The Seahawks ejected him midseason because they had extensive problems in run defense and, admittedly, it isn’t Dodson’s strong suit. But the Bucs have a strong run defending core as it is, and I am looking to improve the coverage and athleticism abilities of the linebacker room. Additionally, Dodson is a talented downhill player who can play the Devin White role in Todd Bowles’ defense as a mugged-up pass rusher. He has a career 23.7% pressure rate.

CB Nate Hobbs – 2 years, $9 million

I have developed an affinity for Hobbs’ play over the past few weeks as I have been researching potential options. Hobbs is everything one could want in a modern slot corner. He’s a good tackler, a solid and willing run defender. He plays screens well, pushing through receiver blocks to blow plays up in the backfield. Hobbs is assignment sound and instinctive in coverage. He also gives the Bucs the ability to push Tykee Smith up to safety.

S Jason Pinnock – 1 year, $4 million

Pinnock is a buy-low candidate with starting experience and good tape on his resume. He’s best when working downhill as a box safety given the opportunity to make plays near or behind the line of scrimmage. The Bucs defense is one of the best in the league to maximize his talents. He provides depth for the defensive secondary that suffered in that area last year.

CB Noah Igbinoghene – 1 year, $3.5 million

Igbinoghene was over-drafted in the first year several years ago. He’s not a starter, but he’s not lost on the field and has good athleticism. At minimum he offers an elevated athlete and player than Josh Hayes and Tyrek Funderburk. An improvement in depth!

WR Josh Palmer – 1 year, $3 million

The one element missing from the Bucs’ offense last year was a consistent field-stretching threat. Tampa Bay hoped they had that with Trey Palmer, but he fell out of favor with the team despite opportunities opening up due to injuries to Chris Godwin and Mike Evans.

While not a speed demon, Palmer has proven to be a consistent deep threat over his four-year career. Over 25% of his targets have been of 20+ air yards over the past two years and he has a career 42% catch rate on those deep passes, including a 40% contested catch rate. Palmer can be a specialized role player designed to win deep and open up the intermediate areas for Mike Evans and Chris Godwin.

OLB Josh Uche – 1 year, $3 million

I put Uche in my Bucs Battle Plan last year. Few edge rushers on the open market provide the potential upside of Uche, who can still win the edge with bend and athleticism. His pressure rate last year was still and impressive 13.5% in limited action with New England before Kansas City all but shelved him after trading for him at the deadline.

Uche is still just 26 years old and represents the best opportunity to find a Shaq Barrett-like breakout that I can find.

P Riley Dixon – 1 year, $2.15 million

The Bucs had a punting problem last year. Rather than taking a chance on another unproven option I want to grab one of the best punters available. Dixon ranked 13th in the NFL last year in EPA/punt.

Final punter rankings of the year (minimum 10 punts)! pic.twitter.com/j8vYRLEvrf

— Puntalytics (@ThePuntRunts) January 6, 2025

For just over $2 million I am signing up for slightly above average play.

C Nick Harris – 1 year, $1.5 million

Harris is at his best moving in space. That is something I think the Bucs will put a premium on for their backup offensive linemen considering they were at their best last year running counter and pin and pull type run concepts. Harris has that in him as a backup.

Queipo’s 2025 Bucs Draft Picks

This year I used draft consensus boards to help inform my draft. While it is not perfect, it gives me a sense of where the overall thinking of where players would be available. And overall, I could see each of these players being available where the Bucs pick. Keep in mind I traded the Bucs’ second-round pick, No. 53 overall, to the Bengals as a part of the Trey Hendrickson/Jamel Dean deal.

Round 1 – Boston College OLB Donovan Ezeiruaku • 6-3, 248 • Senior

With Trey Hendrickson, Tyrel Dodson, Jamien Sherwood, Nate Hobbs and Paulson Adebo in the fold I feel great about going best player available at pick No. 19. While Hendrickson gives the Bucs an alpha edge in the short-term, he is over 30 and a drop-off could happen quickly. I want to hedge against that with another throw at the dartboard. Ezeiruaku brings a fantastic blend of arm length, athleticism, pass rush plan, production, motor and charisma. He’s one of the best edge rushers in this draft class and gives Tampa Bay another bullet in the chamber to get to the passer with four.

You can watch Ezeiruaku’s highlights here.

Round 2 – Traded to Cincinnati for OLB Trey Hendrickson

Round 3 – Iowa State CB Darien Porter • 6-3, 195 • Senior

The Bucs suffered from a lack of depth at cornerback last year. Josh Hayes and Tyrek Funderburk were victimized time and again when they were on the field. Tampa Bay has shown an ability to develop extremely athletic cornerbacks. Porter is, like Jamel Dean and Zyon McCollum, an athletic freak with surprisingly impressive, if raw, tape. His length and speed make him an intriguing developmental player who can make an immediate impact on special teams.

You can watch Porter’s highlights here.

Round 4 – Maryland WR Tai Felton • 6-1, 183 • Senior

Felton is a speedy receiver who can add value as a field stretcher as well as on manufactured touches. Prior to an injury sustained in Week 5 last year he was one of the most productive receivers in college football. He can act as an heir apparent to Palmer as the deep threat in the offense. In the meantime, Felton can get on the field as a screen/YAC option. His wiry frame could stand to add a few pounds that would hopefully allow him to improve his play strength which would be key to his development.

You can watch Felton’s highlights here.

Round 5 – Cal LB Teddye Buchanan • 6-2, 233 • Senior

Buchanan did a ton for his draft stock when he turned into one of the standout performers at the NFL Scouting Combine. The below post was highlighting Jihaad Campbell, but you will see Buchanan near the top of every one of those lists.

no idea if it’s meaningful, but crazy work from jihaad campbell in positional drills. he also had the 2nd-best speed at five yards (14.11 MPH), suggesting that even though we don’t have agilities, his stop-start ability is elite pic.twitter.com/PwrE18ghBN

— Arif Hasan, but NFL 🏈 (@ArifHasanNFL) March 2, 2025

Buchanan plays with his hair on fire as a downhill thumper with a low missed tackle rate and a penchant for creating plays on the ball. He didn’t fall off with a jump in competition when he moved from UC Davis to Cal last year. Like Porter, he can have an immediate impact on special teams while the Bucs develop him behind the scenes. And if he is pushed onto the field due to injuries, Buchanan can move well enough to be an upgrade over last year’s crop of backups.

You can watch Buchanan’s highlights here.

Round 7 –Rutgers LB Tyreem Powell • 6-4, 239 • Senior

If you were to look up Powell’s Pro Football Focus grades you might think me crazy to draft him. But the tall linebacker has some of the best coverage tape in this draft class. I encourage you to watch him against Washington. Combine that with the real live thump he delivers on hits, and he makes for an intriguing prospect to pick up late in the draft that allows me to double up on a position that requires dart throws. Between him and Buchanan, I feel like one will hit as an eventual starter.

You can watch Powell’s highlights here.

UDFA –Louisville IDL Thor Griffith • 6-2, 320 • Senior

Griffith was a player me and Scott Reynolds had as a part of our 2025 7-Round Bucs Mock Draft 2.0. However, despite being a part of Bruce Feldman’s “Freaks List” Griffith is still noted towards the back of most analysts’ big boards due to considerable depth at the position in this draft class and currently looks to be a potential undrafted free agent. If so, he would be a priority for me to sign minutes after the conclusion of the draft. The physicality, gap penetration, strength, smarts and athleticism are an intriguing blend that I would want to try and harness.

You can watch Griffith’s highlights here.

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

QUARTERBACKS – 3

Baker Mayfield
Kyle Trask
Michael Pratt

Analysis: Mayfield is coming off of his best season as a pro and I fully commit with the contract restructure, tying my version of the Bucs to Mayfield through 2026. Trask is a solid backup who is familiar with the playbook and the locker room. Pratt is the developmental, long-term backup poised to move into Trasks role in 2026.

RUNNING BACKS – 3

Bucky Irving
Rachaad White
Sean Tucker

Analysis: This was one of the best running back rooms in the NFL last year and I keep it intact.

WIDE RECEIVERS – 6

Mike Evans
Chris Godwin
Jalen McMillan
Josh Palmer
Tai Felton
Kameron Johnson

Analysis: Palmer and Felton are brought in to try and add a better vertical element than last year and open up the underneath-to-intermediate for Evans/Godwin/McMillan. Johnson is kept in hopes he can return to health and unlock his gadget upside.

TIGHT ENDS – 3

Cade Otton
Payne Durham
Devin Culp

Analysis: Durham took a step forward last year and Culp had an exciting end to the season. I give both more opportunities this year. Otton’s extension represents an investment in his progress as both a pass catcher and a blocker. I think he’s a top 12 tight end in the league at this point.

OFFENSIVE LINE – 10

LT Tristan Wirfs
LG Ben Bredeson
C Graham Barton
RG Cody Mauch
RT Luke Goedeke
OL Elijah Klein
OL Luke Haggard
G Royce Newman
OT Justin Skule
C Nick Harris

Analysis: I keep continuity along the starting front but also give an opportunity for Klein to beat Bredeson out for the starting left guard spot. Skule, Newman and Harris give me faith that if any starter were to be lost for a game or two, they could fill in well enough to get the offense by.

DEFENSIVE LINE – 5

Vita Vea
Calijah Kancey
Poona Ford
Logan Hall
Thor Griffith

Analysis: The addition of Ford makes me feel better about the upside of the second line and Griffith gives me an athletic, high upside piece for the future, not unlike Devin Culp last year. This group can rotate in multiple ways to keep Vea fresh.

OUTSIDE LINEBACKERS – 5

Trey Hendrickson
Yaya Diaby
Donovan Ezeiruaku
Chris Braswell
Josh Uche

Analysis: This is one of the two position groups I am most proud of. I love this depth chart five deep. The best defenses in the NFL can get to the passer with four and are incredibly deep. Think of the 49ers, Jets and Eagles over the past several seasons. This group has potential starters up and down with a proven high-end veteran in Hendrickson leading the charge. Behind him you have young, traitsy pass rushers in Diaby, Braswell and Ezeiruaku all a year apart in their development. Cap it off with a former 10-sack player who still shows great tape in Uche on a cheap contract. I’ll take it!

INSIDE LINEBACKERS – 5

Jamien Sherwood
Tyrel Dodson
SirVocea Dennis
Teddye Buchanan
Tyreem Powell

Analysis: This is the other position group I am especially excited about. It is fully rebuilt from 2024. Sherwood and Dodson should add stability and improved athleticism to the room. Dennis is back to add coverage ability to the possible outcomes. Buchanan and Powell are core special teamers who can grow behind the scenes for the future.

CORNERBACKS – 5

Zyon McCollum
Paulson Adebo
Nate Hobbs
Darien Porter
Noah Igbinoghene

Analysis: Another room I have tried to flood with a combination of draft picks and upside free agents in an effort to hedge against injuries and poor play. McCollum leads the way after a breakout season in 2024 where he was one of the league leaders in pass breakups and forced incompletions. Adebo has an opportunity to re-establish value and form one of the better cornerback duos in the NFL. Hobbs gives positional flexibility while Igbinoghene and Porter provide a blend of athleticism, upside and experience to round out the depth chart.

SAFETIES – 5

Antoine Winfield Jr.
Tykee Smith
Christian Izien
Jason Pinnock
Kaevon Merriweather

Analysis: Smith compliments Winfield and allows both to move up or down the field as chess pieces. Izien and Pinnock serve as experienced backups who have plenty of starts under their belt to hedge for injuries. Merriweather had some really solid play last year at the end of the season and is a solid 53rd man.

SPECIALISTS – 3

K Chase McLaughlin
P Riley Dixon
LS Evan Deckers

Analysis: McLaughlin and Deckers both performed extremely well last year and stay. Dixon provides stability at punter that the Bucs have lacked for the past few seasons.

What Did You Think?

  Did you like my Bucs Battle Plan for the 2025 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.

Help support our efforts here at PewterReport.com by becoming a Pewter Report Donor for as little as $10 for a one-time donation or only $3 per month as a regular donor.

We accept all forms of credit card payment in addition to PayPal donations.

Click here to support your favorite Bucs website.

The post Josh Queipo’s Bucs Battle Plan For 2025 appeared first on Pewter Report.