Hey there! If you’re a Tampa Bay Buccaneers fan like me, you’re probably wondering who the team might sign next. Luckily, the Bucs Reacts Survey has got us covered. In their most recent survey, Bucs fans were asked who they thought the team should target in free agency. The results are in and there are a few intriguing names on the list. Let’s take a look at some of the most popular choices and what they could bring to the Bucs’ roster.
Bucs Reacts Survey: Remaining Free Agent Targets
The NFL offseason is still in full swing with plenty of free agents still available on the open market. Despite having already made several big signings, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers still have some holes to fill and players to potentially add to their roster.
To get a sense of who fans believe the Bucs should target in free agency, we conducted a survey of over 500 Buccaneers supporters using the Bucs Reacts tool from SB Nation. Here are the results.
Receiver
The Bucs already have one of the best receiving corps in the league with Mike Evans, Chris Godwin, and Antonio Brown, but injuries and inconsistency plagued the group last season. Given their talented, yet injury-prone options, fans were torn about adding another receiver.
When asked what position the Bucs should target in free agency, 47 percent of respondents said receiver. However, when asked specifically about free agent receivers they’d like to see the Bucs sign, only 27 percent of fans picked a receiver as their top target.
For those who did select a receiver, the top choice was veteran pass-catcher Larry Fitzgerald. The future Hall of Famer has spent his entire career with the Arizona Cardinals but is a free agent this offseason. Fitzgerald is known for his excellent hands, leadership, and durability, and would bring a wealth of experience to the Bucs’ locker room.
Other notable receiver options mentioned by fans include Kenny Stills, Golden Tate, and T.Y. Hilton.
Interior Offensive Line
The interior offensive line was identified as a big weakness for the Bucs last season, with injuries and poor play at guard contributing to some of the team’s struggles. As a result, fans were keen to see the Bucs address this area in free agency.
When asked about free agents fans would like to see the Bucs sign, 23 percent of respondents said they wanted to see the team add a guard. At the top of the list was former New England Patriot Joe Thuney, who played as a guard for the majority of his career before spending last season at left tackle.
Thuney is viewed as one of the top offensive line prospects in free agency, and his versatility would be an asset for the Bucs. Other guard options fans mentioned include Trai Turner, Ronald Leary, and Andrew Norwell.
Defensive Line
The Bucs have one of the best front sevens in the league, but with a few key free agents departing, fans are starting to feel a little uneasy about the depth of their pass rush.
Unsurprisingly, edge rusher was the most commonly mentioned position fans wanted to see the Bucs address in free agency, with 31 percent of respondents picking it as their top choice. Fans were also concerned about the defensive tackle position, with 17 percent saying they wanted the Bucs to add a DT.
When it comes to edge rushers, the top target among fans was Yannick Ngakoue. Ngakoue is a former Pro Bowl pass rusher who has played for several teams in his young career, but most recently appeared for the Baltimore Ravens.
His ability to consistently disrupt quarterbacks makes him an attractive option, and his youth and potential make him a valuable long-term investment. Other edge rusher options fans mentioned include Justin Houston, Melvin Ingram, and Ryan Kerrigan.
For defensive tackles, fans were torn between Sheldon Richardson and Kawann Short. Richardson is viewed as more of a run-stuffer, while Short is an effective interior pass-rusher. Both have experience playing in dominant defensive lines and could help shore up any weakness in the Bucs’ front seven.
Conclusion
Overall, Bucs fans are looking for the team to address specific areas of concern in free agency. The interior offensive line, defensive line, and receiver positions were all seen as areas where the Bucs could use some additional depth and talent.
Whether the team decides to go after top-tier free agents or looks for diamonds in the rough, addressing these positions could be critical to success in the 2021 season. Only time will tell who the Bucs ultimately sign, but fans are already excited about the possibilities.
