Tampa Bay Buccaneers have to find defensive talent this offseason

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are in an odd spot. It’s both win-now and worry later.

By hiring Bruce Arians, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers are essentially giving the appearance of turning over a new leaf. Arians obviously isn’t expected to win right away. Especially in a division where Tampa Bay is clearly the fourth-best team when the other three are healthy.

However, general manager Jason Licht and quarterback Jameis Winston have been around the block. Winston is now entering the fifth and final deal of his rookie contract. As of now he’s yet to prove he’s the answer under center for the long haul. While there are flashes of brilliance, there are also the mind-numbing turnovers that seem to dot his performance weekly.

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The Buccaneers have to strike the right balance between aggressiveness and patience this offseason. This starts with Licht, who is dealing with only $17 million in projected cap space. However, the Buccaneers can free up $10 million by releasing wide receiver DeSean Jackson. They could release another $7.7 million should they cut Carl Nassib, William Gholston and Caleb Benenoch. Even if those are the only cost-cutting moves decided upon, it would put Tampa Bay at almost $35 million in space, with only left tackle Donovan Smith to pay handsomely.

Ironically enough, helping Winston might mean adding pieces on defense and worrying about the offense another day.

Tampa Bay has been feeble for years on that side of the ball, something showcased when defensive coordinator Mike Smith was fired before the midway point of last season. If the Buccaneers are ever going to change that fortune, it starts now.

The draft and free agency are both filled with defensive talent. Licht should be looking for a corner to pair with Vernon Hargreaves, potentially Ronald Darby or Kareem Jackson. At safety, there are a legion of options including Adrian Amos, Tyrann Mathieu, Earl Thomas, Tre Boston, Kurt Coleman and potentially Landon Collins, depending whether or not the New York Giants apply the franchise tag to him.

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In the front seven, the Buccaneers must build around a nucleus of Gerald McCoy, Lavonte David and Noah Spence. Tampa Bay has a top-10 pick and could use it on an edge rusher such as Josh Allen should be fall that far. Additionally, there will be guys like Trey Flowers and Preston Smith in free agency, both of whom would immediately upgrade what has been an inconsistent pass rush in recent years.

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers aren’t winning the Super Bowl this season, but the long climb back begins with a renewed spirit on defense.