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5 free agents the Buccaneers must sign this offseason

By Cole Thompson

TAMPA, FLORIDA - JANUARY 03: Antonio Brown #81 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers celebrates a touchdown with Chris Godwin #14 during a game against the Atlanta Falcons at Raymond James Stadium on January 03, 2021 in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images)
TAMPA, FLORIDA - JANUARY 03: Antonio Brown #81 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers celebrates a touchdown with Chris Godwin #14 during a game against the Atlanta Falcons at Raymond James Stadium on January 03, 2021 in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images) /
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GREEN BAY, WISCONSIN – JANUARY 24: Shaquil Barrett #58 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers celebrates after recording a sack in the first quarter against the Green Bay Packers during the NFC Championship game at Lambeau Field on January 24, 2021 in Green Bay, Wisconsin. (Photo by Dylan Buell/Getty Images)
GREEN BAY, WISCONSIN – JANUARY 24: Shaquil Barrett #58 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers celebrates after recording a sack in the first quarter against the Green Bay Packers during the NFC Championship game at Lambeau Field on January 24, 2021 in Green Bay, Wisconsin. (Photo by Dylan Buell/Getty Images) /

48. Scouting Report. OLB. Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Shaquil Barrett. Pick Analysis. 1. . player

In case you haven’t realized in the NFL today, teams with a pass rush are good. Their ability to get to a quarterback and cause havoc every snap makes them contenders and a tough team to prepare for.

Of all the Tampa Bay free agents this offseason, Barrett is the one whose production will be irreplaceable. The team is drafting too low in April to grab one of the top names while the pass rush class as a whole somewhat falls off after the big three.

Barrett joined the staff in 2019 on a prove-it one-year contract. All he did was lead the NFL in sacks with 19.5 and grabbed the franchise tag over Jameis Winston. Sure, he saw his numbers cut in half this year with quarterback takedowns (8.0), but he and Jason Pierre-Paul have flourished in Todd Bowles’ 3-4 defensive front.

Looking back, Barrett is one of the more well-rounded standing edge rushers in the NFL. He excels against the run and will add that extra element of frustration to a quarterback’s progression each snap.

The best way to look at this: are the Bucs ok with facing Barrett on a different team? If they aren’t, they need to make him the top priority this offseason when it comes to negotiations.

Next. 2021 NFL Mock Draft: Texans find Deshaun Watson replacement early. dark

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