NFC South Free Agent Linebacker On Radar?
January 11th, 2026
Bucs GM Jason Licht.
Hard to believe, but in exactly two months, legal tampering begins to make way for the free agency dinner bell ringing March 13.
Now the Bucs need a lot of help on defense. A lot of help. Might need a corner if Jamel Dean leaves (Joe’s lost some confidence in Zyon McCollum and Joe is not yet sold on Benjamin Morrison), will need linebackers (plural) and likely will have to spend big money on an edge rusher.
One answer at linebacker could be Dixie Chicks linebacker Kaden Elliss. That’s the word from the man who invented DVOA, Aaron Schatz, typing for BSPN.
Big prediction for the offseason: With help required at inside linebacker, the Bucs will steal Kaden Elliss from the rival Falcons in free agency. He would be perfect in those Bowles blitz packages after 3.5 sacks in 2025.
Well, if the Bucs have to get a linebacker from free agency — and they should, both in free agency and the draft — why not steal from your rival?
Joe is a big believer in bolstering your roster by taking from your rival. Make your rival weaker while you get stronger. That’s chess, not checkers.