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 very own Bucs Plans for the 2025 offseason. These come full with their individualized free agent signings, trades, roster strikes and draft picks to hopefully assist Tampa Bay earn a playoff spot for the sixth straight 12 months.

Keep in mind, these Bucs Battle Plans are how the PewterReport.com workers members would reshape the group this offseason – not essentially what we expect Tampa Bay will do in free company and the draft, though there could possibly be some overlap with sure gamers the group could also be concentrating on.

Josh Queipo’s Bucs Battle Plan For The 2025 Offseason

The NFC South is bettering. The Falcons, and Panthers abruptly appear to be they’ve their quarterbacks of the long run to construct round. The Bucs are nonetheless within the driver’s seat of the division with essentially the most proficient roster and loads of cap flexibility, however they are going to have to be sensible about maximizing their new Tremendous Bowl window. There is a chance so as to add premium and complementary expertise to a group that’s already one of many higher rosters within the NFC to get them over-the-hump.

I’ve 4 priorities this offseason. 1) Infuse the protection with expertise at each degree and at each the highest and backside of the roster. 2) Flood the within linebacker room. 3) Stop complacency on the offensive facet of the ball. 4) Be ready to capitalize on worth for long-term development even when there’s not a short-term want.

I’m additionally basing this on a hypothetical finances of $305 million in money spending for the 12 months.

Bucs Contract Restructures

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

Bucs Cuts

S Jordan Whitehead – This transfer saves the Bucs $4.5 million in wage cap house with no lifeless cash. It was already reported that Tampa Bay made this determination as nicely. The damage considerations surrounding Whitehead in his neck stemming from his late season automotive accident are the most important driver of this determination for me.

Bucs Trades

CB Jamel Dean, Second-Spherical Decide For DE Trey Hendrickson – This was a tough determination for me, and I think about will probably be equally tough for the Bucs. Dean is a proficient nook when wholesome. One of many 20 greatest within the NFL in my view. However the damage considerations are actual, and the cash saved – not cap house, however precise {dollars} spent – will assist convey within the substitute I keep in mind for him.

I package deal Dean and the Bucs second-round decide, No. 53 general, and ship them to the Bengals for star edge rusher Trey Hendrickson. That deal could be contingent on an extension for Hendrickson, which I’ve projected at three years for $82.5 million.

Unrestricted Free Brokers Re-Signed

WR Chris Godwin – 3 years, $57 million

Bucs WR Chris Godwin – Photograph by: Cliff Welch/PR

Godwin was enjoying at one of many highest ranges of his profession earlier than he dislocated his ankle in Week 8. I’m going to guess on his resolve and character that he would return to a high-level of play. Although I do assume he’s in all probability by no means getting again to his greatest play. The deal is brief sufficient and for an affordable amount of cash, it will presently rank twenty third amongst energetic receiver contracts in APY, that I be ok with the chance general.

I additionally get this deal accomplished previous to the March twelfth void date on Godwin’s deal serving to to push again $11.318 million of his would-be lifeless cap from his earlier deal into future years and serving to the Bucs in 2025 from a cap perspective.

LG Ben Bredeson – 1 12 months, $5 million

Bredeson is the proper participant to get you by when you search for upgrades. He presents the chance for continuity throughout the offensive line, with a stable flooring. However the funding doesn’t preclude me from discovering a greater choice in free company or the draft, or letting 2024 sixth-round decide Elijah Klein beat him out in coaching camp. If that occurs, he’s a well-paid backup with positional flexibility. That’s an excellent factor to have!

QB Kyle Trask – 1 12 months, $4 million

Trask is accustomed to the terminology and the group. He hasn’t accomplished something to not maintain the backup job. And he’s appeared stable in preseason motion. I’d belief him to steer the ship if Baker Mayfield have been to overlook a recreation or two.

OT Justin Skule – 1 12 months, $1.5 million

Regardless of a tough debut in 2024 in opposition to Aidan Hutchinson in Week 2, Skule proved he is without doubt one of the higher swing tackles within the NFL final 12 months filling in for each Tristan Wirfs and Luke Goedeke. A great backup lineman is tough to seek out. And I need to maintain the one the Bucs have already got.

WR Sterling Shepard – 1 12 months, $1.65 million

Bucs WR Sterling Shepard – Photograph by: USA At present

Shepard might irritate some followers, however he was an underrated a part of the Bucs offense final 12 months, doing a lot of the soiled work and getting open far more usually than he was given credit score for. That’s an excellent depth piece that helps out if you least count on it.

CB Tavierre Thomas – 1 12 months, $1.5 million

Thomas proved to be a particular groups ace final 12 months. And the Bucs improved in that space significantly exterior of their punter troubles. I need Thomas main one other improved unit in 2025.

G Royce Newman – 1 12 months, $1.17 million

The offensive line market this offseason is slim pickings. Newman wasn’t wanted final 12 months as a result of Bredeson and Cody Mauch each went wire-to-wire. However he brings beginning expertise and respectable draft pedigree as a depth piece.

Unrestricted Free Brokers Not Re-Signed

LB Lavonte David (Retired)DL Adam GostsisDL Greg GainesDL Will GholstonRB Chase EdmondsC Robert HainseyOLB Joe Tryon ShoyinkaOLB Anthony NelsonOLB Shaq BarrettCB Troy HillILB Ok.J. BrittS Mike EdwardsS Ryan NealCB Bryce HallOL Sua OpetaDL Eric Banks

Restricted/Unique Rights Free Brokers Re-Signed

ILB J.J. Russell

Outdoors of Lavonte David, Russell contributed the most effective linebacker play for the group down the stretch final 12 months. Bringing him again is an unguaranteed dedication to assist shore up depth on the roster. It doesn’t assure a roster spot ultimately, although.

S Kaevon Merriweather

Merriweather lacks the agility to be a dependable starter at security, however very like Russell I’m bringing him again for depth/insurance coverage. My hope is to raise the roster, however having Merriweather because the 54rd man on the roster wouldn’t be horrible.

New Unrestricted Free Brokers Signed

CB Paulson Adebo – 2 years, $24 million

Adebo is one among my huge upside signings. His 2023 play had him set to be one of many highest-paid corners within the NFL this offseason. Sadly for Adebo, he had a down 2024 that included some accidents. His misfortune in 2024 offers an enormous alternative for my model of the Bucs in 2025. Adebo matches the dimensions and size parameters the Bucs search for in a fringe nook and he’s adept as each a person protection and as a deep third Cowl 3 participant as nicely. The most effective half is I feel I can get him for 2 years at a mid-tier price at $12 million per season with a chance to increase him subsequent 12 months if he does nicely.

ILB Jamien Sherwood – 3 years, $32 million

Jets ILB Jamien Sherwood – Photograph by: USA At present

Sherwood is a do-it-all backer that may work because the spine of the unit. Sherwood earned a beginning spot in a proficient linebacker room final 12 months working in a Robert Saleh protection that asks numerous his middle-of-the-field defenders. Sherwood was greater than as much as the duty. It’s my guess that he can do the identical for the Bucs.

DT Poona Ford – 2 years, $13 million

Ford has labored on a string of low-cost, one-year offers over the previous a number of years and he has always outperformed them. This previous 12 months has been one among his greatest, placing him in place to get a extra profitable deal. Nonetheless, this doesn’t signify a breaking of the financial institution. He offers an improve over Greg Gaines as a flexible run-stuffer who can push the pocket. Ford had 25 pressures and 23 defensive stops final 12 months.

ILB Tyrel Dodson – 3 years, $16.5 million

Dodson is without doubt one of the greatest protection linebackers within the NFL in my view. The Seahawks ejected him midseason as a result of they’d intensive issues in run protection and, admittedly, it isn’t Dodson’s sturdy swimsuit. However the Bucs have a powerful run defending core as it’s, and I’m trying to enhance the protection and athleticism talents of the linebacker room. Moreover, Dodson is a proficient downhill participant who can play the Devin White position in Todd Bowles’ protection as a mugged-up cross rusher. He has a profession 23.7% strain price.

CB Nate Hobbs – 2 years, $9 million

I’ve developed an affinity for Hobbs’ play over the previous few weeks as I’ve been researching potential choices. Hobbs is every part one may need in a contemporary slot nook. He’s an excellent tackler, a stable and prepared run defender. He performs screens nicely, pushing by way of receiver blocks to blow performs up within the backfield. Hobbs is task sound and instinctive in protection. He additionally offers the Bucs the flexibility to push Tykee Smith as much as security.

S Jason Pinnock – 1 12 months, $4 million

Pinnock is a buy-low candidate with beginning expertise and good tape on his resume. He’s greatest when working downhill as a field security given the chance to make performs close to or behind the road of scrimmage. The Bucs protection is without doubt one of the greatest within the league to maximise his abilities. He offers depth for the defensive secondary that suffered in that space final 12 months.

CB Noah Igbinoghene – 1 12 months, $3.5 million

Igbinoghene was over-drafted within the first 12 months a number of years in the past. He’s not a starter, however he’s not misplaced on the sphere and has good athleticism. At minimal he provides an elevated athlete and participant than Josh Hayes and Tyrek Funderburk. An enchancment in depth!

WR Josh Palmer – 1 12 months, $3 million

The one ingredient lacking from the Bucs’ offense final 12 months was a constant field-stretching menace. Tampa Bay hoped they’d that with Trey Palmer, however he fell out of favor with the group regardless of alternatives opening up as a result of accidents to Chris Godwin and Mike Evans.

Whereas not a pace demon, Palmer has confirmed to be a constant deep menace over his four-year profession. Over 25% of his targets have been of 20+ air yards over the previous two years and he has a profession 42% catch price on these deep passes, together with a 40% contested catch price. Palmer generally is a specialised position participant designed to win deep and open up the intermediate areas for Mike Evans and Chris Godwin.

OLB Josh Uche – 1 12 months, $3 million

Chiefs edge rusher Josh Uche – Photograph by: USA At present

I put Uche in my Bucs Battle Plan final 12 months. Few edge rushers on the open market present the potential upside of Uche, who can nonetheless win the sting with bend and athleticism. His strain price final 12 months was nonetheless and spectacular 13.5% in restricted motion with New England earlier than Kansas Metropolis all however shelved him after buying and selling for him on the deadline.

Uche remains to be simply 26 years outdated and represents the most effective alternative to discover a Shaq Barrett-like breakout that I can discover.

P Riley Dixon – 1 12 months, $2.15 million

The Bucs had a punting drawback final 12 months. Reasonably than taking an opportunity on one other unproven choice I need to seize top-of-the-line punters accessible. Dixon ranked thirteenth within the NFL final 12 months in EPA/punt.

Ultimate punter rankings of the 12 months (minimal 10 punts)! pic.twitter.com/j8vYRLEvrf

— Puntalytics (@ThePuntRunts) January 6, 2025

For simply over $2 million I’m signing up for barely above common play.

C Nick Harris – 1 12 months, $1.5 million

Harris is at his greatest shifting in house. That’s one thing I feel the Bucs will put a premium on for his or her backup offensive linemen contemplating they have been at their greatest final 12 months operating counter and pin and pull sort run ideas. Harris has that in him as a backup.

Queipo’s 2025 Bucs Draft Picks

This 12 months I used draft consensus boards to assist inform my draft. Whereas it’s not excellent, it offers me a way of the place the general pondering of the place gamers could be accessible. And general, I may see every of those gamers being accessible the place the Bucs decide. Have in mind I traded the Bucs’ second-round decide, No. 53 general, to the Bengals as part of the Trey Hendrickson/Jamel Dean deal.

Spherical 1 – Boston School OLB Donovan Ezeiruaku • 6-3, 248 • Senior

Boston School edge rusher Donovan Ezeieruaku – Photograph by: USA At present

With Trey Hendrickson, Tyrel Dodson, Jamien Sherwood, Nate Hobbs and Paulson Adebo within the fold I really feel nice about going greatest participant accessible at decide No. 19. Whereas Hendrickson offers the Bucs an alpha edge within the short-term, he’s over 30 and a drop-off may occur rapidly. I need to hedge in opposition to that with one other throw on the dartboard. Ezeiruaku brings a implausible mix of arm size, athleticism, cross rush plan, manufacturing, motor and charisma. He’s top-of-the-line edge rushers on this draft class and provides Tampa Bay one other bullet within the chamber to get to the passer with 4.

You may watch Ezeiruaku’s highlights right here.

Spherical 2 – Traded to Cincinnati for OLB Trey Hendrickson

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

The Bucs suffered from an absence of depth at cornerback final 12 months. Josh Hayes and Tyrek Funderburk have been victimized again and again after they have been on the sphere. Tampa Bay has proven a capability to develop extraordinarily athletic cornerbacks. Porter is, like Jamel Dean and Zyon McCollum, an athletic freak with surprisingly spectacular, if uncooked, tape. His size and pace make him an intriguing developmental participant who could make a right away affect on particular groups.

You may watch Porter’s highlights right here.

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

Felton is a speedy receiver who can add worth as a area stretcher in addition to on manufactured touches. Previous to an damage sustained in Week 5 final 12 months he was one of the vital productive receivers in school soccer. He can act as an inheritor obvious to Palmer because the deep menace within the offense. Within the meantime, Felton can get on the sphere as a display/YAC choice. His wiry body may stand so as to add a couple of kilos that will hopefully enable him to enhance his play power which might be key to his improvement.

You may watch Felton’s highlights right here.

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

Buchanan did a ton for his draft inventory when he was one of many standout performers on the NFL Scouting Mix. The beneath publish was highlighting Jihaad Campbell, however you will note Buchanan close to the highest of each a kind of lists.

no concept if it’s significant, however loopy work from jihaad campbell in positional drills. he additionally had the 2nd-best pace at 5 yards (14.11 MPH), suggesting that although we don’t have agilities, his stop-start capability is elite pic.twitter.com/PwrE18ghBN

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

Buchanan performs along with his hair on hearth as a downhill thumper with a low missed sort out price and a penchant for creating performs on the ball. He didn’t fall off with a soar in competitors when he moved from UC Davis to Cal final 12 months. Like Porter, he can have a right away affect on particular groups whereas the Bucs develop him behind the scenes. And if he’s pushed onto the sphere as a result of accidents, Buchanan can transfer nicely sufficient to be an improve over final 12 months’s crop of backups.

You may watch Buchanan’s highlights right here.

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

In case you have been to search for Powell’s Professional Soccer Focus grades you would possibly assume me loopy to draft him. However the tall linebacker has a number of the greatest protection tape on this draft class. I encourage you to look at him in opposition to Washington. Mix that with the actual stay thump he delivers on hits, and he makes for an intriguing prospect to select up late within the draft that permits me to double up on a place that requires dart throws. Between him and Buchanan, I really feel like one will hit as an eventual starter.

You may watch Powell’s highlights right here.

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

Griffith was a participant me and Scott Reynolds had as part of our 2025 7-Spherical Bucs Mock Draft 2.0. Nevertheless, regardless of being part of Bruce Feldman’s “Freaks Listing” Griffith remains to be famous in direction of the again of most analysts’ huge boards as a result of appreciable depth on the place on this draft class and presently appears to be a possible undrafted free agent. In that case, he could be a precedence for me to signal minutes after the conclusion of the draft. The physicality, hole penetration, power, smarts and athleticism are an intriguing mix that I might need to attempt to harness.

You may watch Griffith’s highlights right here.

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

QUARTERBACKS – 3

Baker MayfieldKyle TraskMichael Pratt

Bucs QB Baker Mayfield- Photograph by: USA At present

Evaluation: Mayfield is coming off of his greatest season as a professional and I absolutely commit with the contract restructure, tying my model of the Bucs to Mayfield by way of 2026. Trask is a stable backup who’s accustomed to the playbook and the locker room. Pratt is the developmental, long-term backup poised to maneuver into Trasks position in 2026.

RUNNING BACKS – 3

Bucky IrvingRachaad WhiteSean Tucker

Evaluation: This was top-of-the-line operating again rooms within the NFL final 12 months and I maintain it intact.

WIDE RECEIVERS – 6

Mike EvansChris GodwinJalen McMillanJosh PalmerTai FeltonKameron Johnson

Evaluation: Palmer and Felton are introduced in to attempt to add a greater vertical ingredient than final 12 months and open up the underneath-to-intermediate for Evans/Godwin/McMillan. Johnson is stored in hopes he can return to well being and unlock his gadget upside.

TIGHT ENDS – 3

Cade OttonPayne DurhamDevin Culp

Evaluation: Durham took a step ahead final 12 months and Culp had an thrilling finish to the season. I give each extra alternatives this 12 months. Otton’s extension represents an funding in his progress as each a cross catcher and a blocker. I feel he’s a high 12 tight finish within the league at this level.

OFFENSIVE LINE – 10

LT Tristan WirfsLG Ben BredesonC Graham BartonRG Cody MauchRT Luke GoedekeOL Elijah KleinOL Luke HaggardG Royce NewmanOT Justin SkuleC Nick Harris

Bucs RG Cody Mauch and C Graham Barton – Photograph by: Cliff Welch P/R

Evaluation: I maintain continuity alongside the beginning entrance but additionally give a chance for Klein to beat Bredeson out for the beginning left guard spot. Skule, Newman and Harris give me religion that if any starter have been to be misplaced for a recreation or two, they may fill in nicely sufficient to get the offense by.

DEFENSIVE LINE – 5

Vita VeaCalijah KanceyPoona FordLogan HallThor Griffith

Evaluation: The addition of Ford makes me really feel higher in regards to the upside of the second line and Griffith offers me an athletic, excessive upside piece for the long run, not not like Devin Culp final 12 months. This group can rotate in a number of methods to maintain Vea recent.

OUTSIDE LINEBACKERS – 5

Trey HendricksonYaya DiabyDonovan EzeiruakuChris BraswellJosh Uche

Evaluation: This is without doubt one of the two place teams I’m most happy with. I like this depth chart 5 deep. The most effective defenses within the NFL can get to the passer with 4 and are extremely deep. Consider the 49ers, Jets and Eagles over the previous a number of seasons. This group has potential starters up and down with a confirmed high-end veteran in Hendrickson main the cost. Behind him you have got younger, traitsy cross rushers in Diaby, Braswell and Ezeiruaku all a 12 months aside of their improvement. Cap it off with a former 10-sack participant who nonetheless reveals nice tape in Uche on an affordable contract. I’ll take it!

INSIDE LINEBACKERS – 5

Jamien SherwoodTyrel DodsonSirVocea DennisTeddye BuchananTyreem Powell

Dolphins LB Tyrel Dodson – Photograph by: USA At present

Evaluation: That is the opposite place group I’m particularly enthusiastic about. It’s absolutely rebuilt from 2024. Sherwood and Dodson ought to add stability and improved athleticism to the room. Dennis is again so as to add protection capability to the attainable outcomes. Buchanan and Powell are core particular teamers who can develop behind the scenes for the long run.

CORNERBACKS – 5

Zyon McCollumPaulson AdeboNate HobbsDarien PorterNoah Igbinoghene

Evaluation: One other room I’ve tried to flood with a mix of draft picks and upside free brokers in an effort to hedge in opposition to accidents and poor play. McCollum leads the best way after a breakout season in 2024 the place he was one of many league leaders in cross breakups and compelled incompletions. Adebo has a chance to re-establish worth and type one of many higher cornerback duos within the NFL. Hobbs offers positional flexibility whereas Igbinoghene and Porter present a mix of athleticism, upside and expertise to spherical out the depth chart.

SAFETIES – 5

Antoine Winfield Jr.Tykee SmithChristian IzienJason PinnockKaevon Merriweather

Evaluation: Smith compliments Winfield and permits each to maneuver up or down the sphere as chess items. Izien and Pinnock function skilled backups who’ve loads of begins below their belt to hedge for accidents. Merriweather had some actually stable play final 12 months on the finish of the season and is a stable 53rd man.

SPECIALISTS – 3

Ok Chase McLaughlinP Riley DixonLS Evan Deckers

Evaluation: McLaughlin and Deckers each carried out extraordinarily nicely final 12 months and keep. Dixon offers stability at punter that the Bucs have lacked for the previous few seasons.

What Did You Assume?

  Did you want my Bucs Battle Plan for the 2025 offseason? Does it adequately deal with Tampa Bay’s wants? Which additions did you want greatest? Let me know what you assume within the article feedback part beneath.

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