Buccaneers Linked To Signing Playmaking DB By NFL.com

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers had what appears to be yet another successful NFL Draft, headed up by general manager Jason Licht.

But even after the additions of a pair of top cornerbacks in the second and third rounds, the Bucs’ secondary still lacks depth at the safety position, and there could be an answer waiting in free agency.

Jeffri Chadiha of NFL.com thinks former Indianapolis Colts safety Julian Blackmon would fit right in with Todd Bowles’ offense in Tampa Bay. He writes …

“There’s no doubt that Antoine Winfield Jr. is a star. The problem is what the Buccaneers are working with after that. Veterans Jordan Whitehead and Mike Edwards are no longer with the team, and there are only two other safeties on the depth chart with more than one year of experience (Christian Izien and Kaevon Merriweather).

“Blackmon, on the other hand, started 62 games in five years in Indianapolis. He played on a one-year deal with the Colts after testing free agency last season and displayed immense toughness while playing 16 games with a torn rotator cuff.

“The Bucs managed to make the playoffs last season despite weaknesses and injuries impacting their defense. Adding Blackmon would help them avoid having to do that in two consecutive years.”

Blackmon’s best season came in 2023 when he accumulated 88 tackles with 65 solo and five for loss. He added four interceptions, eight passes defended and one fumble recovery. Oddly, that didn’t get him into the Pro Bowl that season.

The former Utah Ute played last season in Indy on a one-year deal worth $3.7 million, so he could come cheap for the Buccaneers, making the five-year veteran even more appealing to Licht

Buccaneers Linked To Signing Playmaking DB By NFL.com

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