With the Signing of defensive linemen N’damukung Suh to a one year eight million deal (with incentives that could push the deal to around 10 million dollars) the Bucs have brought back their starting front seven from last years defense.
Arians was excited to get Suh under contract for another year.
“We wanted the entire defense if we could to stay together, they played so well together and Suh was a big, big part of it obviously. Not as much in the sack game as much as his interior pressure and the great job he did last year against the run. I mean, we were No. 1 against the run in the league last year and a lot of it was because of him and Vita.”
Suh joins Shaq Barrett, Jason Pierre-Paul, Devin White, Lavonte David, Vita Vea, and William Gohlston as the starters that will returning to anchor the defense in 2020.
One of coach Arians goals going into the 2020 season was to bring back the starting front seven from the defense and the Bucs were able to make that happen.
In addition to the front seven, the Bucs re-signed defensive linemen Rakeen Nunez Roches, safety Andrew Adams, and linebacker Kevin Minter, all to one year deals.
The Bucs did lose two members of the defensive front to free agency. Edge rusher Carl Nassib signed with the Oakland Raiders, and defensive tackle Beau Allen inked a two year deal with the Patriots.
The Bucs also came to terms with wide receiver Bryant Mitchell on a one year deal, re-signed tight end Tanner Hudson, Antony Auclair, and restructured the contract of tight end Cameron Brate.
You have to give Jason Licht and the Bucs front office their due for getting these signings done. Brady, Barrett, Pierre-Paul and Suh, will be big impact players on this Buccaneer team in 2020.
The Bucs also re-signed defensive back Ryan Smith to a one year deal. Smith is a huge impact player on special teams for the Bucs the last few seasons.
With the draft approaching the Bucs still have some holes to fill on the team.
Running back Ronald Jones should go into the season as the starter, as Peyton Barber was not re-signed and he is off to the Washington Redskins as he signed a two year contract.
The Bucs are still looking for that back that has good pass catching ability and can also run the ball with authority.
Wide receiver Breshad Perriman who the Bucs really liked and wanted to bring back signed a one year deal with the New York jets for around eight million dollars.
Perriman was a big threat for the Bucs receiving corp the last quarter of the season when Mike Evans and Chris Godwin both went down with season ending injuries.
The Bucs have some depth at the position with Scotty Miller, Justin Watson and the re-signed Bryant Mitchell, but will look for a receiver in the second half of the draft to round about the receivers group.
There are still depth issues especially along the offensive line.
With DeMar Dotson, Josh Wells, and Jarold Hawkins not being re-signed, the Bucs may look to draft an offensive lineman with their 14 the pick in the first round.
The Bucs did sign free agent offensive linemen Joe Haeg to a one year deal. Haeg played with the Indianapolis Colts last season at primarily guard and tackle, but can play any position on the offensive line if needed.
Arians called Haeg a solid right tackle, and said that “we’ll see what happens in the draft.”
Arians has also gone on the record saying that the offensive line is not a position of need right now, but the team is always looking to add depth.
Here are the Bucs top five needs with the 2020 draft about a month away.
Offensive line
Quarterback
Wide receiver
Defensive line depth
Secondary depth
