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NFL Free Agency: Trent Cole visiting the Tampa Bay Buccaneers

By Luke Dahlgren

Nov 23, 2014; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Philadelphia Eagles outside linebacker Trent Cole (58) reacts after a sack against the Tennessee Titans at Lincoln Financial Field. The Eagles won 43-24. Mandatory Credit: Derik Hamilton-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 23, 2014; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Philadelphia Eagles outside linebacker Trent Cole (58) reacts after a sack against the Tennessee Titans at Lincoln Financial Field. The Eagles won 43-24. Mandatory Credit: Derik Hamilton-USA TODAY Sports /
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The veteran edge pass rusher was a part of a mass exodus with the Philadelphia Eagles done to clear up salary cap space.

Last season the Tampa Bay Buccaneers endured the 28th ranked pass defense and finished the year 21st in sacks. As a result, it appears as though Lovie Smith and the Buccaneers are looking add some veteran pass rush to juice up the defense.

In 10 season with the Eagles, Trent Cole was consistently able to challenge the edge of the pocket, and last year at 32 years old Cole was able to finish with 6.5 sacks and continually force pressure onto opposing defenses.

Cole was a part of a massive salary cap overhaul for the Eagles, which most notably saw star running back LeSean McCoy being traded to the Buffalo Bills.

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On top of that, the Eagles released veteran guard Todd Herremans, defensive back Cary Williams and tight end James Casey. Cole’s release saved the Eagles $8.425 million in the salary cap, but the team would have to eat over $3 million in dead money

With Cole on the open market, the Buccaneers could look to scoop him up. While at the end in Philly Trent Cole mostly played linebacker, in the Bucs’ Tampa 2 scheme he would be likely asked to play defensive end, where he would probably start opposite Michael Johnson.

The Buccaneers have the first pick in the draft, and while at this point in the process it doesn’t seem like they will shy away from drafting Jameis Winston (or even Marcus Mariota) at quarterback, there is quite the selection of players to choose from at the top of the draft as an edge pass rusher, like Florida’s Dante Fowler, Jr., Missouri’s Shane Ray and Nebraska’s Randy Gregory.

Of course, Tampa Bay is simply Cole’s first stop, and he could land elsewhere, such as with the Cincinnati Bengals. The Bengals finished dead last in sacks this past season, and adding the Cole, who went to school at the University of Cincinnati, would provide that rush with an instant spark and give Cole ample playing time.

Either way, with Tampa being the first visit, the Buccaneers are at the very least a high priority destination for the moribund pass rusher.

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