USAT: Buccs Wire audio clip

USAT: Buccs Wire

Mar 22, 2022

Now that Tom Brady is back for another year, it makes sense that the Tampa Bay Buccaneers will want to surround him with as much help as possible, as they look to make another Super Bowl run. - That doesn’t mean they’ll be spending their first-round pick in the 2022 NFL draft on offense, though. - In fact, all signs point toward the Bucs using that pick on the other side of the ball. - While it makes sense to load up on offensive talent to help Brady, it’s clear that the GOAT places a high value on trust and familiarity. That’s why the Bucs have worked so hard to bring back as many players as possible in each of the past two offseasons. This year, Pro Bowl center Ryan Jensen is back, as is running back Leonard Fournette, both on three-year deals. Pro Bowl wide receiver Chris Godwin got the franchise tag for a second straight year before getting a new three-year extension of his own. Tight end and Brady buddy Rob Gronkowski is also expected back at some point in the offseason. - Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports - It’s also why they’ve filled their biggest needs on offense this year with veterans, signing Russell Gage to be their new No. 3 receiver, and trading for Shaq Mason (who blocked for Brady for five years in New England) to fill one one of their starting guard spots. They also re-signed reserve guard Aaron Stinnie, who has proven in spot-starting duty that he can be trusted to protect Brady. - It’s possible the Bucs could still spend the No. 27 overall pick on an interior lineman, if they think they could land a prospect that’s closer to what they’re losing in Ali Marpet or Alex Cappa versus what they’re getting in Stinnie. That said, it’s likely that Boston College’s Zion Johnson, Iowa’s Tyler Linderbaum and Texas A&M’s Kenyon Green could all be off the board by then. Even if they’re not, Brady might prefer a known commodity in Stinnie over trying to build that same kind of rapport with a new rookie. - (Photo by Adam Glanzman/Getty Images) - All of that could equal the Bucs doing what they did last year, spending their top pick on a high-upside defender who could quickly develop from rotational player into impact starter, like they did with outside linebacker Joe Tryon-Shoyinka. - The Bucs have yet to re-sign Ndamukong Suh or Will Gholston, leaving two defensive line spots open in the starting lineup for the moment. Carlton Davis is back on a new three-year deal, but fellow cornerbacks Jamel Dean and Sean Murphy-Bunting are both going into the final year of their rookie contracts. Spending that first-round pick on a defensive lineman who could start right away, or a talented corner who could jump into the starting lineup of either Dean or Murphy-Bunting leave next offseason seems like Tampa Bay’s best bet. - There are many different ways for the Bucs to surround Brady with a supporting cast he can take to the Super Bowl once again. They’ve filled their biggest needs on offense with experienced players Brady can trust, which should free them up to spend their premium draft resources to restock the defense with young talent. - - List - - NFL free agency: Tracking all the latest Bucs news, rumors - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Email - - - - - Sign up - - - - - - - - Like this article? - Sign up for the Bucs Wire email newsletter to get our top stories in your inbox every morning - - - - An error has occured - - - Please re-enter your email address. - - - - - - Thanks for signing up! - - - You'll now receive the top Bucs Wire stories each day directly in your inbox.

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Jan 27, 2022