Tampa Bay Buccaneers happy about waiver priority
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers believe having priority on waiver claims until the end is an underrated reward for the worst overall record in 2014.
The worst team in the NFL will typically have all its attention on the No. 1 overall pick at this time of the year, but the Tampa Bay Buccaneers are hoping to take advantage of another reward.
More from NFL
- Joe Burrow owes Justin Herbert a thank you note after new contract
- Chiefs gamble at wide receiver could already be biting them back
- Chargers loosen grip on checkbook to pay Justin Herbert: Best memes and tweets
- Patriots backup plan for DeAndre Hopkins is a shot in the dark
- Raiders: Saquon Barkley’s new contract may have screwed over Josh Jacobs
According to a report from Rick Stroud of The Tampa Bay Times, the Buccaneers believe having the top waiver claim priority could help turn the team around. By virtue of their 2-14 season last year, Tampa Bay will have the top claim on any player cut from another roster who has less than four years of service time until after Week 3 of the regular season.
General manager Jason Licht believes having that priority is more important than people realize, as numerous talented young players have to be released to get rosters down to 53 before the start of the regular season.
Just last year, the Buccaneers grabbed defensive end Jacquies Smith on waivers from the Buffalo Bills. Smith finished with 6.5 sacks in seven games started and figures to be a critical contributor in 2015.
Tampa Bay is expected to take Jameis Winston first overall in the NFL Draft on April 30.
While selecting a potential franchise quarterback with the No. 1 pick will dramatically alter the franchise one way or another, the Buccaneers need help in a lot of areas before they will be ready to compete.
Positions that Tampa Bay could address with waiver claims include right guard, as it was the weakest position on a poor offensive line in 2014 and defensive end, as Smith is the only returning player at the position who accumulated more than two sacks last season.
More from FanSided
- Joe Burrow owes Justin Herbert a thank you note after new contract
- Chiefs gamble at wide receiver could already be biting them back
- Braves-Red Sox start time: Braves rain delay in Boston on July 25
- Yankees: Aaron Boone gives optimistic return date for Aaron Judge
- MLB Rumors: Yankees-Phillies trade showdown, Mariners swoop, India goes to Seattle