Explaining The Bucs Battle Plans For 2025
PewterReport.com writers Scott Reynolds, Matt Matera, Josh Queipo, Bailey Adams and Adam Slivon have devised their own Bucs Plans for the 2025 offseason. These come complete with their individualized free agent signings, trades, roster moves and draft picks to hopefully help Tampa Bay earn a playoff spot for the sixth straight year.
Remember, these Bucs Battle Plans are how the PewterReport.com staff members would reshape the team this offseason – not necessarily what we think Tampa Bay will do in free agency and the draft, although there could be some overlap with certain players the team may be targeting.
Adam Slivon’s Bucs Battle Plan For The 2025 Offseason
The Bucs’ regular-season record has improved by one win over the past three seasons, but it has become evident that there is a hump the team needs to get over to get back to contending for a Super Bowl. The main point of emphasis over the past couple of offseasons has been to add young talent across the roster, which has helped the team build another young core for future seasons.
Bucs HC Todd Bowles – Photo by: Cliff Welch/PR
With quarterback Baker Mayfield playing the best football of his career leading a top-five offense, now is the time to upgrade the defense. Head coach Todd Bowles has had to make changes across his coaching staff, but the defensive playcaller will still be tasked with getting the most out of a disappointing unit last season.
Player personnel deficiencies did not help, as by the end of the year the inside linebacker, cornerback, and safety positions were a rotating cast of practice squad players. That, paired with the outside linebacker’s issues bringing down the passer, signifies plenty of changes are needed.
Thankfully, Tampa Bay is still in full control of the NFC South coming off five straight playoff appearances and a four-peat of the division. The Falcons are hitting a reset button of sorts with quarterback Michael Penix Jr., and while they are formidable, they have their own issues to work out as it looks to be a transition year. The Panthers seem to have quarterback Bryce Young locked in as their guy, but they also will need to add significant talent to become a threat. After the Saints’ long run of success, they will sit in the cellar for a while as they finally eat all the dead money they have put off.
All this means that the Bucs have a prime opportunity to take advantage of this Super Bowl window and add supplementary mercenaries to a team that’s locked and loaded with firepower.
My offseason priorities are adding a blend of proven defensive talent in free agency and high-potential rookies in the 2025 NFL Draft. After addressing each level with that focus, adding depth to each defensive position room will help keep the ship afloat should injuries arise. I will also have the offense on my mind, as even after a historic season it cannot go without adding talent at key positions. Lastly, while contract restructures will create ample cap space, I remain fixated on finding value in free agency with short-term, high-upside deals.
Bucs Restructures
QB Baker Mayfield – $21,558,750 cap saved
LT Tristan Wirfs – $19,864,000 cap saved
S Antoine Winfield Jr. – $14,872,500 cap saved
Bucs Extensions
Bucs RT Luke Goedeke – Photo by: Cliff Welch/PR
RT Luke Goedeke – 5 years, $107.5 million – After locking up left tackle Tristan Wirfs on a five-year, $140.6 million deal last year, the Bucs to lock up their other offensive tackle for the rest of the 2020s. While it once did not appear that Goedeke would get a second contract in Tampa Bay after a disappointing rookie year at left guard, he has settled in as an above-average right tackle over the past two seasons. What kept him from an even better 2024 campaign was a concussion that forced him to miss four games.
Still, he has graded as the 27th-best offensive tackle each of the last two seasons, putting him in the league’s top half. He plays a critical part in protecting Baker Mayfield and in an offensive line room that prides itself on its great chemistry. This contract reflects the value he provides at an important position and is the deal that should be done first among 2022 draft picks.
Bucs Cuts
S Jordan Whitehead – Whitehead’s release has already been reported as likely to happen. It does not make sense to keep him on the roster at his non-guaranteed salary of $4.5 million, especially considering he will not have a strong market. The veteran safety was last offseason’s exciting addition, but a pectoral injury down the stretch along with being involved in a late-season car season limited the impact he had in a disappointing second stint with the team.
Bucs Trades
Raiders GM John Spytek and HC Pete Carroll – Photo by: USA Today
CB Jamel Dean, 2026 Sixth-Round Pick To The Raiders For 2025 Fourth-Round Pick – Admittedly, this was the easiest phone call I had to make of the offseason. New Raiders general manager John Spytek is familiar with the Bucs roster, and by making this move, he acquires one of the players he once helped draft. For Dean, a new change of scenery benefits all parties involved here.
Moving him to acquire pick No. 107 provides Tampa Bay the ability to add his replacement with one of the top picks on Day 3 of the NFL Draft while saving $8,284,941 in cap space. Las Vegas desperately needs talent, and they get a cornerback who when healthy is solid in coverage and projects to be their top defensive back. By taking on his contract, Spytek negotiated for a later Day 3 pick next year, which seemed like a suitable compromise to make this a done deal.
Unrestricted Free Agents Re-Signed
WR Chris Godwin – 2 years, $38 million
Bucs WR Chris Godwin – Photo by: Cliff Welch/PR
Godwin would not look right in anything other than red and pewter. He was on pace for a career year in 2024 before suffering a season-ending dislocated ankle injury. Re-signing the 29-year-old is making another bet on him, but it already paid off once for the organization after signing him to a three-year, $60 million deal coming off a torn ACL in 2021.
This contract is not as high as it once appeared, but it grants him an opportunity to cash in and stay home in Tampa Bay. I agreed with Godwin’s camp before the March 12th void date on his deal which allows me to push back $11,318,000 of his would-be dead cap from his previous deal into future years which helps the Bucs’ 2025 cap picture.
LB Lavonte David – 1 year, $6 million
David comes back for one final ride. The 35-year-old is not the same caliber of player that he used to be, but “LVD” still finds ways to be productive. Leaving the field in the final minutes of the Bucs’ playoff loss to the Commanders is not the way he wants to go out, and his return allows him to reunite with inside linebackers coach Mike Caldwell once more. At this point, David should not be a full-time starter, and additional moves are made to lessen his workload and give him the chance to be more of a veteran mentor.
OLB Anthony Nelson – 2 years, $10 million
Todd Bowles has long been a fan of Nelson, known as the team’s “steady Eddie.” While not the flashiest player, he finds ways to make plays. A fourth-round pick in 2019, he receives another deal to keep him around as a capable backup who is always good for a few sacks a year.
LG Ben Bredeson – 1 year, $4.5 million
Bredeson was not a world-beater at left guard, but he was a bargain free-agent signing last year. If he is the weakest link of a top-five offensive line, you can live with that. This contract is a year-over-year pay bump that keeps him around to fight for his starting spot with two younger offensive guards. If Bredeson were to lose his job before the regular season, he’d be one of the better backup offensive guards in the league.
QB Kyle Trask – 1 year, $4 million
Bucs QB Kyle Trask – Photo by: Cliff Welch/PR
Trask cannot seem to catch a break to see the field. Drafted to be Tom Brady’s understudy coming off the Bucs’ Super Bowl win, he lost the chance to claim the starting job with Baker Mayfield coming into town. Trask’s lack of playing experience limits his value enough to keep him around, and he is someone who knows the system and the players around him should he ever need to fill in.
OT Justin Skule – 2 years, $5 million
After making just over a million this past season, Skule deserves a substantial pay raise for his work last season. He quickly settled in while Luke Goedeke missed four games with a concussion and when Tristan Wirfs went down and had to miss a game. With the way the position is valued, having one of the better swing tackles around who gels in well is worth keeping for another couple of years.
DL Greg Gaines – 1 year, $2.25 million
Gaines provides value as a run-stuffer who plays sparingly behind Vita Vea and Calijah Kancey. Vea’s old college teammate at Washington, he saved his best game for the postseason and returns to add depth along the defensive line. With other moves made during the offseason, he is lower down the totem pole but raises the floor of the position.
CB Tavierre Thomas – 1 year, $1.5 million
Thomas is exceptional on special teams, playing 81% of the unit’s snaps last season. Once a starting defensive back, he has settled in as one of the best special teamers in the league.
Unrestricted Free Agents Not Re-Signed
OLB Joe Tryon Shoyinka
ILB K.J. Britt
WR Sterling Shepard
DL Will Gholston
S Mike Edwards
OLB Shaq Barrett
RB Chase Edmonds
OG Sua Opeta
OG Royce Newman
C Robert Hainsey
DL Adam Gostsis
DL Eric Banks
CB Bryce Hall
CB Troy Hill
S Ryan Neal
Restricted/Exclusive Rights Free Agents Re-Signed
ILB J.J. Russell – 1 year, $1.1 million
It does not cost too much to keep another body around at inside linebacker. Someone with a few seasons under his belt in Todd Bowles’ defense, Russell is a bubble player who has made four starts in the past two seasons while also being a key special teamer.
S Kaevon Merriweather – 1 year, $960,000
After a brief November cup of coffee on the Lions’ practice squad, Merriweather returned to the Bucs and started the last five games. He impressed down the stretch, recording a sack and recovering a fumble in consecutive games. The undrafted safety provides quality depth.
DL C.J. Brewer – 1 year, $960,000
Brewer played in 12 games last season, finishing with 12 total tackles and two sacks. He has some promise as a pass-rushing defensive lineman, and while he does not make my 53-man roster, he has a home on the practice squad.
New Unrestricted Free Agents Signed
OLB Khalil Mack – 1 year, $22.75 million
Chargers OLB Khalil Mack – Photo by: USA Today
The Bucs make their biggest splash-signing in free agency in years, adding Khalil Mack to lead the outside linebacker room. Mack brings instant name recognition as a nine-time Pro Bowler, three-time first-team All-Pro, and the 2016 AP Defensive Player of the Year.
Although he recently turned 34 years old and his best days are behind him, he remains a problem for opposing offensive tackles, having produced 52 pressures and six sacks last year in Los Angeles with the Chargers. As recently as 2023, he had 17 sacks and has 107.5 sacks in his career.
Even nearing the end of his playing days, Mack’s signing takes some pressure off Yaya Diaby and will help him and the rest of what will be a young and inexperienced position group next season. Per Pro Football Focus, he was the NFL’s fifth-best edge rusher in 2024.
Besides being a pass-rushing menace, PFF’s grade also accounts for his elite run-defense ability. Signing him for a year allows the younger players behind him to learn from one of this generation’s best pass rushers who should have enough gas in the tank for one more above-average season.
CB Charvarius Ward – 2 years, $30 million
Trading Jamel Dean opens up a starting spot and enough salary cap space to add Charvarius Ward. Ward is understandably coming off a down year dealing with the death of his young daughter, but he is not far removed from being a shutdown cornerback. In 2023, he had 72 total tackles, a league-leading 23 passes defensed, and five interceptions.
The 12 games he played in 2024 were a career-low, as before that he proved to be a highly durable player, the opposite of what Dean was in Tampa Bay. Ward is a prime candidate to bounce back and make this contract look like a steal.
DT Poona Ford – 2 years, $14 million
With Vita Vea recently turning 30 years old and Logan Hall in a contract year, the Bucs could use another quality defensive lineman to play significant snaps and guard against injury or a potential Hall departure next year. Poona Ford adds that and much more at an affordable rate. Built like a tank at five-foot-11, 310 pounds, Ford is a do-it-all, versatile nose tackle. He teamed up with Khalil Mack on the Chargers’ top-scoring defense that allowed just 17.7 points per game last season. At 29 years old, Ford is coming off a career year and is the perfect addition to make the Bucs’ defensive line one of the deepest and most talented in the game.
ILB Dre Greenlaw – 1 year, $6 million
This is a fun signing that is a low-risk, high-reward deal. With Lavonte David coming back and SirVocea Dennis returning healthy, signing Dre Greenlaw is one of the ways I address the inside linebacker position this offseason. With a full offseason to further recover from the torn Achilles he suffered during the 49ers-Chiefs Super Bowl in 2023, Greenlaw is young enough at 27 years old to bounce back and look like the player he did in 2022 and 2023.
During those two years, he was the Robin to Fred Warner’s Batman, playing like a top-10 linebacker and amassing 247 total tackles. This signing does come with a tougher projection of what to expect, but he returned late last season and played well in limited action. An incentive-laden one-year deal has the chance to pay off in a big way.
P Jamie Gillan – 2 years, $6.5 million
Giants P Jamie Gillan – Photo by: USA Today
After going through three punters last season, the Bucs need to solidify the position badly. Jamie Gillan, also known as the “Scottish Hammer,” is one of the best options. Gillan has been the Giants’ punter since 2022.
He overlapped with special teams coordinator Thomas McGaughey, who is now in Tampa Bay. There are not a ton of punter statistics to go over, but it is worth comparing him to what the team had in 2024. His ability to pin teams stands out.
WR Elijah Moore – 1 year, $4 million
Elijah Moore has not had it easy since being drafted by the Jets in the second round of the 2021 NFL Draft. Drafted to pair with Zach Wilson, Moore was a product of poor quarterback play in New York. He was dealt to the Browns after two seasons, and the circumstances did not improve with Deshaun Watson and Joe Flacco throwing him the football. Still, there is the potential for him to reach his draft pedigree. The five-foot-10, 180-pound wideout had two big games down the stretch last season.
In a more stable environment surrounded by Mike Evans, Chris Godwin, and Jalen McMillan, Moore profiles as a high-floor wide receiver No. 4 and has the wheels (4.35 40-yard time) to stretch the field.
C Nick Gates – 1 year, $3 million
With Robert Hainsey leaving in free agency for a starting job elsewhere, Nick Gates becomes Graham Barton’s backup. Gates is not the most glamorous signing, but he is a capable player and has 40 career starts. Ben Bredeson would also vouch for him in the locker room, as they were teammates with the Giants for two seasons.
Slivon’s 2025 Bucs Draft Picks
To formulate which prospects would be available in each round, I used a plethora of mock drafts and draft boards to help inform my draft. After weighing this and seeing many of these players at the Senior Bowl and NFL Combine, I made it as realistic as possible. Keep in mind I acquired an additional fourth-round pick, No. 107 overall, from the Raiders as part of the Jamel Dean trade.
Round 1 – Boston College EDGE Donovan Ezeiruaku
Boston College edge rusher Donovan Ezeiruaku – Photo by: USA Today
Donovan Ezeiruaku made a name for himself with 16.5 sacks during his senior season and has only elevated his draft stock during the pre-draft process. Ezeiruaku is athletic, pairing that with a high football intelligence and work ethic allowing him to take his game up a notch in 2024.
While Ezeiruaku is third on the team’s depth chart behind Khalil Mack and Yaya Diaby, Bowles and outside linebackers coach Larry Foote would find ways to scheme him on the field plenty before he takes on an even bigger role in 2026.
Click HERE to view Ezeiruaku’s highlights.
Round 2 – Notre Dame CB Benjamin Morrison
The Bucs inject further talent at the position with Benjamin Morrison there for the taking at No. 51. Morrison missed time with a hip injury during his final year at Notre Dame, but had two productive seasons for the Fighting Irish before that, including a six-interception season in 2022. The younger Morrison is a talented defensive back, with his ball production and proficiency in zone defense being a perfect fit for the secondary.
Click HERE to view Morrison’s highlights.
Round 3 – Oregon ILB Jeffrey Bassa
Oregon ILB Jeffrey Bassa – Photo by: USA Today
Inside linebacker was arguably the position of most concern coming into the offseason, with only SirVocea Dennis under contract. Bringing back Lavonte David and J.J. Russell and adding Dre Greenlaw lowers the panic level, but another young linebacker should also be brought into the mix. That is addressed by selecting Jeffrey Bassa in the third round.
A former defensive back, Bassa converted to linebacker and brought his above-average coverage skills with him. He has a high football I.Q., taking the time to fully break down a play with Pewter Report during his impressive Senior Bowl week. Should David and Greenlaw depart after next season, Bassa would have every chance to be a long-term starter. Click HERE to view Bassa’s highlights.
Round 4 (From Las Vegas) – Kansas CB Cobee Bryant
What’s one more cornerback? The Bucs have double-dipped at the position three times during general manager Jason Licht’s tenure and so again by taking Cobee Bryant. Bryant checks all the boxes for fitting on this defense, from being a physical tackler and having great ball instincts, to simply being a “dawg” on defense. He’d add an element of swagger and “Mamba Mentality” on the back end.
Click HERE to view Bryant’s highlights.
Round 4 – Virginia Tech DT Aeneas Peebles
Standing 6-foot-1, 282 pounds, Aeneas Peebles is more of the Calijah Kancey mold. Peebles does a little of everything, but his biggest strength comes from a high motor and extends to how he makes plays between the tackles. He plays with a lot of power for his size and possesses sharp quickness off the snap to cut off gaps. He could begin his career as a developmental player filling in for Kancey but has the potential and pass-rushing chops to carve out a long-term role.
Click HERE to view Peebles’ highlights.
Round 5 – Arkansas WR Isaac TeSlaa
Arkansas WR Isaac TeSlaa – Photo by: USA Today
Isaac TeSlaa is a fun Day 3 flier pick here. Standing at 6-foot-4 and with the speed (4.43 40-yard time) of a “Tesla Roadster,” TeSlaa creates a lot of mismatches and was underutilized in the Razorbacks’ offense last season. He has a large catch radius and hauled in 28 of his 36 targets for 546 receiving yards (19.5 yards-per-catch average) and three touchdowns in 2024.
TeSlaa is more raw and does not have the high-end production of other wide receivers, but his athletic traits jump off the page and the film backs up his sure hands and ability to create separation.
Click HERE to view TeSlaa’s highlights.
Round 7 – Georgia G Dylan Fairchild
Rounding out my selections is Dylan Fairchild, who was a two-year starter at left guard with the Bulldogs. While Elijah Klein was drafted in the sixth round last year and profiles as a better run blocker, Fairchild is known as a better pass-blocker with enough agility and power to fit in a Bucs’ run scheme that can go zone or gap. Learning from some of the best offensive linemen in Tampa Bay while developing and building his strength is his best-case scenario, and he could compete with Ben Bredeson and Klein for a starting job sooner rather than later.
Click HERE to view Fairchild’s highlights.
Slivon’s “Way Too Early” Bucs 53-Man Roster Projection
QUARTERBACKS – 3
Baker Mayfield
Kyle Trask
Michael Pratt
Analysis: The quarterback room remains the same as last year and is led by Mayfield, who is quietly becoming one of the better quarterbacks in the NFL. Trask returns as his understudy, while Pratt gets promoted to the active roster to avoid being plucked by another team.
RUNNING BACKS – 3
Bucky Irving
Rachaad White
Sean Tucker
Analysis: This trio of running backs is one of the best in the league. Led by Irving, the sky is the limit for the Bucs’ ground game. White is a superb third-down receiving back, and one cannot rule out Tucker exploding for a big game if the opportunity presents itself.
WIDE RECEIVERS – 5
Browns WR Elijah Moore – Photo by: USA Today
Mike Evans
Chris Godwin
Jalen McMillan
Elijah Moore
Isaac TeSlaa
Analysis: Evans and Godwin pair up for at least one more season, immediately creating one of the best receiver duos in the business. McMillan could make it a lethal trio, while Moore is a better option than any of the team’s backup receivers from last year. TeSlaa could get some work as a returner and benefits from learning behind some talented players. I’m stashing Kameron Johnson, Trey Palmer, and Rakim Jarrett on the practice squad, too.
TIGHT ENDS – 3
Cade Otton
Payne Durham
Devin Culp
Analysis: Outside cutting Ko Kieft and bumping him to the practice squad, the rest of the depth chart remains untouched. Cade Otton is entering a contract year and will look for a consistent role in the Bucs’ passing offense. Durham and Culp will fight to be his top backup, but each has unique traits to have a role regardless.
OFFENSIVE LINE – 10
Eagles C Nick Gates – Photo by: USA Today
LT Tristan Wirfs
LG Ben Bredeson
C Graham Barton
RG Cody Mauch
RT Luke Goedeke
OT Justin Skule
G-C Elijah Klein
C Nick Gates
G Dylan Fairchild
OT Luke Haggard
Analysis: The offensive line is anchored by two $100 million men in Wirfs and the newly extended Goedeke. The starting five remain the same, and with continued improvement, they could become the best group of big guys in the game. Bredeson will be pushed hard by Klein and Fairchild at left guard.
DEFENSIVE LINE – 6
Vita Vea
Calijah Kancey
Poona Ford
Logan Hall
Greg Gaines
Aeneas Peebles
Analysis: The floor of this room improves drastically with the additions of Ford and Peebles. Ford as a No. 4 defensive tackle speaks to the abundance of riches in the defensive trenches. From a pass-rushing and run-stuffing perspective, it does not get better than this.
OUTSIDE LINEBACKERS – 5
Chargers OLB Khalil Mack and DT Poona Ford – Photo by: USA Today
Khalil Mack
Yaya Diaby
Donovan Ezeiruaku
Chris Braswell
Anthony Nelson
Analysis: Mack and Ezeiruaku are the big additions to the room and are the perfect blend of experience and potential. Having Mack and Diaby as a one-two punch will be a death knell to opposing quarterbacks. Watch out for Braswell if he makes a second-year leap as well.
INSIDE LINEBACKERS – 5
Lavonte David
Dre Greenlaw
Jeffrey Bassa
SirVocea Dennis
J.J. Russell
Analysis: David and Greenlaw are the veterans in this room, but should either falter Bassa and Dennis are quality backups who could vie for significant playing time this season and beyond. Russell sticks around for his special teams’ value.
CORNERBACKS – 6
Kansas CB Cobee Bryant – Photo by: USA Today
Zyon McCollum
Charvarius Ward
Benjamin Morrison
Cobee Bryant
Josh Hayes
Tavierre Thomas
Analysis: In my opinion, this room is the most improved year-over-year. Ward is a potential No. 1 cornerback and his availability alone will be a big boon for the secondary. Morrison and Bryant are exciting additions and each has starting potential down the line. Hayes and Thomas are best suited for special teams.
SAFETIES – 4
Antoine Winfield Jr.
Tykee Smith
Christian Izien
Kaevon Merriweather
Analysis: Now healthy, Winfield should return more to playing like he did in 2023 when he was a first-team All-Pro. Smith moves back to safety with Jordan Whitehead’s release and getting him on the field more only helps. Izien and Merriweather are high-end backups who can fill in whenever needed.
SPECIALISTS – 3
K Chase McLaughlin
P Jamie Gillan
LS Evan Deckers
Analysis: “Money McLaughlin” is one kicker not talked about enough. Gillan adds stability to one of the shakiest positions last year, and Deckers is securely entrenched as the long-snapper going forward.
What Did You Think?
Did you like my Bucs Battle Plan for the 2025 offseason? Does it adequately address Tampa Bay’s needs? Which additions did you like best? Let me know what you think in the article comments section below.
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