The Tampa Bay Buccaneers went through a pretty interesting offseason after
going a dismal 2-14 in the 2014 season. Thanks to having the worst record in the
NFL, they were given the #1 overall pick in the draft. Taking Jameis Winston as a
future franchise quarterback is going to get most of the headlines. However, the
team also made several other moves that could allow them to fight for a .500
season in 2015.
Winston is more than likely going to get the chance to start at quarterback for the
Buccaneers from day one. NFL teams just don’t sit quarterbacks like they used
- He has a chance to be pretty special in week long fantasy football, but he will
be a bit of a work in progress.
The rest of the draft was mostly a success for Tampa Bay as well. Donovan
Smith and Ali Marpet were taken in the second round, and both should start in 2015.
Kwon Alexander and Kenny Bell could also make some noise this year if
opportunities open up. Drafting well was a major focus for the Buccaneers, and
most experts feel like they did well.
In free agency, the theme was mostly addition by subtraction. One of the main
reasons why Tampa Bay won just two games last year comes down to the fact
that they gave out terrible contracts to underperforming players in the past.
Getting ride of Anthony Collins, Dashon Goldson, Michael Johnson and Josh
McCown saved the team money and allows them to rebuild quicker.
The best trade made in the offseason was probably for defensive end George
Johnson. He should be able to help out the bad pass rush from the outside a
year ago, and Tampa Bay only gave up a 5th rounder to land him. As for free
agents, the Buccaneers avoided the big names and contracts to go after guys
like Bruce Carter and Henry Melton, among others.
Overall, it was clear that Tampa Bay had a new mindset in 2015. Instead of trying
to spend money carelessly in free agency, they wanted to fill roles and build
through the draft. Building through the draft is obviously easier with the #1 overall
pick, but the summer was about more than Jameis Winston. There is no place to
go but up, and Tampa Bay could easily get to 6-8 wins this year.
Add The Sports Daily to your Google News Feed!
