The Tampa Bay Buccaneers have some questions they need to answer in terms of contracts that are expiring. Several high-profile players are seeing their contracts expire now that the offseason is in full swing, but what does that mean for their plans to bring in other players?
PFF’s Mason Cameron wrote up a projection of who could be the highest-paid players at each position during free agency. Based on his projections, general manager Jason Licht may be facing an uphill battle to sign a top target of theirs in free agency.
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The team has a need at linebacker, and Devin Lloyd of the Jacksonville Jaguars would be a perfect fit for the team. Cameron writes about his free agency, saying, “As offenses have become more creative with how they manipulate defenses with personnel and disguise, the necessity to have an all-around talent at linebacker, capable of being effective on an every-down basis, has become vital. Devin Lloyd is just that. The former first-round pick posted above a 75.0 PFF overall grade in each of the past three seasons, culminating in a 2025 campaign where he produced a career-best 89.1 mark, the second-highest among qualifying linebackers. The second-team All-Pro stood out as the only linebacker to earn an 80.0-plus grade as a run defender, pass rusher, and in coverage.”
Lloyd would be expensive as he is projected to make $48 million over three years, but he would be worth it. They need a dynamic playmaker in the middle of their defense, someone who can be athletic enough to contain opposing running backs in space, but also meet them at the line of scrimmage.
It would be a lot, but it would be money well spent for the Bucs.
This article originally appeared on Bucs Wire: Bucs free agent target predicted to be highest-paid at his position