The Tampa Bay Buccaneers have signed 32 free agents in the past three seasons, tied for ninth in the NFL and 10th in contract value. Here’s a look at how those decisions have panned out on the field:
Total signings: 32* (tied for ninth in NFL)
Total contract value: $259,897,536 (10th in NFL)
Three-year W-L: 17-31
Biggest hit: For much of the season, cornerback Brent Grimes quietly produced one of the best performances on defense, leading the league in pass breakups and serving as a mentor for rookie cornerback Vernon Hargreaves III, a player the team hopes will blossom. Getting Grimes, a four-time Pro Bowl selection, on a two-year deal worth $16.5 million was a win-win for both team and player. The Buccaneers were able to pay him what a player of his caliber deserves, with respect to the fact that at 33, he might not want to play much longer. It also allowed both sides to avoid a situation similar to the one he had in Miami, where it became quite apparent in the third year of a four-year contract that both sides needed to move on.
Biggest miss: There have been so many misses, from offensive tackle Anthony Collins to defensive end Michael Johnson to linebacker Bruce Carter. The Bucs might have spent the most on Johnson, who became a one-and-done, but Collins deserves this label most. The Bucs signed him to a five-year deal in 2014 worth $30 million, and not only did he lose his starting job after 10 games, but he was a healthy scratch for the final four games of the season. It was no surprise the Bucs couldn't find a willing trade partner, and they released him. He hasn't played a down of football since.
Sneaky-good move: The Bucs spent $1.75 million on punter Bryan Anger, and it paid off beautifully. He beat out Jacob Schum and set franchise records for punts inside the 20 (32) and net punting average (42.4). He also set a team record for gross punting average (45.9) and helped the Bucs become one of the top punt-coverage units in the NFL, allowing just 5.6 yards per punt return -- good for fourth in the NFL and fourth best in team history. The defense might have gotten most of the credit for the Bucs' turnaround last season, but Anger and opponent field position played a big role. Anger was rewarded with a five-year extension at the end of the season.
Verdict: In Jason Licht's three seasons as general manager, which included two seasons of Lovie Smith and one with Dirk Koetter as head coach, the Bucs have had far more success with drafting and developing young players. This is why they've given out fewer multiyear deals to outside free agents. That's not to say that the Bucs won't pony up for a player in whom they really believe they can invest, but they're much wiser now about giving big deals to players with whom they've never worked before. The way they're structuring their contracts now also is allowing them to break things off with players who clearly aren't working out.
*Signings made during free-agency period beginning in March.
