Fansided

10 NFL teams who could change their fortunes via Free Agency

By Andrew Garda

Feb 22, 2015; Ann Arbor, MI, USA; Detroit Lions defensive tackle Ndamukong Suh takes in the game between the Michigan Wolverines and the Ohio State Buckeyes at Crisler Center. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 22, 2015; Ann Arbor, MI, USA; Detroit Lions defensive tackle Ndamukong Suh takes in the game between the Michigan Wolverines and the Ohio State Buckeyes at Crisler Center. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
9 of 11
Next
Dec 28, 2014; Tampa, FL, USA; New Orleans Saints head coach Sean Payton talks with Tampa Bay Buccaneers head coach Lovie Smith after the Saints beat the Buccaneers 23-20 at Raymond James Stadium. Mandatory Credit: David Manning-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 28, 2014; Tampa, FL, USA; New Orleans Saints head coach Sean Payton talks with Tampa Bay Buccaneers head coach Lovie Smith after the Saints beat the Buccaneers 23-20 at Raymond James Stadium. Mandatory Credit: David Manning-USA TODAY Sports /

Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Overview: Is anyone really sure just what the heck happened to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers last season? On paper this was a talented defense which completely underwhelmed last season, and an offense where the one flaw (no quarterback) continued to add to problems like a banged up offensive line and shaky backfield.

The Bucs have $33,422,618 in cap space to use, and just over $7 million in dead money—so they have room to make some moves. The question is, what moves will Lovie Smith and company attempt this offseason?

Pros: There is reason to believe that at least defensively, this team should bounce back. They have a lot of weapons on that side of the ball and last season notwithstanding Smith is a defensive guy who can put a good unit together. With pieces like Gerald McCoy and Lavonte David, adding just a few more guys to the defense would be all they should need to bounce back.

Offensively, well that’s a bit more problematic.

Assuming they take Jameis Winston with the first overall pick they would then be settled under center (in theory), and they have a great receiver combination in Vincent Jackson and Mike Evans. But the backfield is a question mark dependent on how Doug Martin comes back from injury. Still, it’s not like running backs cost much anymore, so they can fix that. They can also do some work on the offensive line.

With the money they have they should be able to attack both areas and add to the defense. For them it should be a matter of adding a few key pieces, not volume or a big splash.

Cons: There is some loose talk that they may be in the Adrian Peterson hunt which would decimate their cap room. Assuming they don’t do that,  there is no guarantee that spending freely to fix an offensive line will really fix it (for an example, see the 2014 New York Giants). And it’s fair to wonder what happened on defense last year when Lovie Smith fails to field a decent unit with the talent that was there, even with injuries.

Next: Indianapolis Colts

Home/Atlanta Falcons