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NFL Rumors: 5 teams that should sign Everson Griffen

By Brad Berreman

SEATTLE, WASHINGTON - DECEMBER 02: Everson Griffen #97 of the Minnesota Vikings reacts in the second quarter against the Seattle Seahawks during their game at CenturyLink Field on December 02, 2019 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Abbie Parr/Getty Images)
SEATTLE, WASHINGTON - DECEMBER 02: Everson Griffen #97 of the Minnesota Vikings reacts in the second quarter against the Seattle Seahawks during their game at CenturyLink Field on December 02, 2019 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Abbie Parr/Getty Images) /
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Mandatory Credit: Carmen Mandato/Getty Images
Mandatory Credit: Carmen Mandato/Getty Images /

3. Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Tampa Bay finished toward the top of the league in sacks last year with 47, led by Shaquil Barrett’s league-high 19.5 (as well as 19 tackles for loss. 37 quarterback hits and 51 quarterback pressures). Barrett is set to hit free agency, but he has openly expressed a level desire to stay in Tampa Bay.

After Barrett, Jason Pierre-Paul came in second on the Buccaneers last year with 8.5 sacks. So the two accounted for nearly half of the team’s sack total, with only one other guy (Carl Nassib-six sacks) even getting to three sacks.

The Buccaneers are armed with the fourth-most cap space in the league right now ($79.89 million), so any real need they have can be addressed pretty comfortably.

Overall the pass defense needs help, after finishing 30th in the league last year (270.1 yards per game). Some of that was driven by volume, with the most pass attempts against in the league (664) as opponents avoided the league’s No. 1 run defense (73.8 yards per game). But adding a piece or two to defensive front should be a priority, and when push comes to shove they can pony up to pay Griffen if he’s looking for a sizeable deal.

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