Tom Brady is attracting free agents to Buccaneers, but who should they sign?

With Tom Brady taking his talents to Tampa Bay, many have reached out to the Bucs indicating an interest in following him. Who should the Bucs sign.

Since it has been revealed that future Hall of Fame quarterback Tom Brady will in fact be playing for Tampa Bay next season, a number of veteran players have indicated that they would be interested in coming to join him, according to a report from ESPN’s Adam Schefter this morning:

This should come as no surprise, as ring-chasing veterans have often been linked to players like Brady in hopes of securing a Super Bowl championship.

Over the Cap currently projects the Bucs with around $47 million in cap space, prior to the signing of Brady. That should leave the team around $20 million or so to sign additional talent around him. Of course, we all know the cap is fungible, and the team should be able to not only make adjustments to current contracts, but also compel some of these desperate veterans to take a slight discount to play with the GOAT.

With so many options, should should Tampa Bay pursue in their quest to surround Brady with the best team it can for his final Super Bowl push.

Melvin Gordon, RB

In 2019, the running game featuring Ronald Jones and Peyton Barber was unremarkable in averaging just under four yards per carry. The team instead preferred to let Jameis Winston sling the ball all of the field, with little regard for what team he was throwing it to.

That will change this year. Not only is Tom Brady unlikely to throw 30 interceptions, he’s never thrown for more than 14 in a season; but also he’s more likely to rely more heavily on the running game, despite the presence of one of the best wide receiver tandems in football.

Simply put, the position will have to be better for the Bucs in 2020 for the team to find success.

Enter Melvin Gordon.

The former LA Charger has had some injury history that is concerning, but when healthy in 2019 still showed flashes of being the Pro Bowl back he was in 2016 and 2018.

While the market has not materialized for Gordon, or any free agent running back, the five year veteran provides a quality option for the Tampa backfield. He’s an above average blocker and an excellent pass catcher, to boot, both of which are necessary and valuable skills in a Tom Brady led offense.