As the Bucs re-shape their roster many members of the 2018 team will play elsewhere in 2019. Here’s a look at some of the best fits for them going forward.
26 players from the 2018 Tampa Bay Buccaneers are set to become free agents when the NFL’s new league year begins on March 13th.
The Bucs will look to keep Donovan Smith and Kwon Alexander with one likely to be franchise tagged. However, other free agents such as Adam Humphries, Brent Grimes, and Chris Conte among others will likely suit up elsewhere.
In addition many of the free agents won’t be asked to return in 2019. This is because team is looking to re-shape their roster to finally end playoff drought that has lasted 11 seasons. Let’s take a look at some of the best fit’s for four 2018 Bucs likely to play for a new team next season.
WR Adam Humphries: New England Patriots
Despite racking in 816 receiving yards and five touchdowns in 2018 recent reports signal Adam Humphries time in Tampa are numbered. Set to depart the wide receiver should consider joining the defending world champion Patriots. Both Chris Hogan and Phillip Dorsett will be free agents this off-season. That leaves Julian Edelman as the team’s only proven receiver. The Pats would give Humphries a chance to be Tom Brady’s number two option. This could easily lead to the first career 1,000 yard receiving yard season for the four-year veteran.
CB Brent Grimes: Cincinnati Bengals
Brent Grimes will be 36 years old when the NFL season kicks off in 2019, but the corner has still proven effective. Grimes was unhappy with the Bucs at the end of the season citing a lack pay to cover top receivers; thus, he will be looking for more money and a new team to play for in 2019. The Cincinnati Bengals make perfect sense. New Bengals defensive coordinator Lou Anarumo coached Grimes in each of his three pro bowl seasons with the Dolphins. In Cincinnati, the two could reunite, and Grimes can emerge as a veteran leader and important contributor to a rebuilding Bengals team.
S Chris Conte: Los Angeles Rams
Chris Conte will be coming off a season-ending injury in 2018. There have been no reports the Bucs have any intent to bring Conte back. Looking for a place to re-establish himself the Los Angeles Rams look like a perfect fit. Free safety LaMarcus Joyner is a free agent, and the Rams aren’t expected to pay big money to any free agents this off-season. Conte would be an affordable option for them and can emerge as a steal as when healthy Conte is one of the better free safeties in the NFL.
QB Ryan Fitzpatrick: Tennessee Titans
The “Fitz Magic” era is likely over in Tampa Bay. The journeyman signal caller left his mark in Tampa with a couple of outstanding games as a starter in 2018. However, it appears likely Fitzpatrick will take his magic elsewhere next season. The Tennessee Titans are a team that would make a lot of sense for the veteran. Marcus Mariota has proved to be injury prone throughout his career. The team missed the playoffs due to not having a quality back-up as Blaine Gabbert was forced into starting a win and in-game against the Colts in week 17 of 2018 with Mariota injured. Fitzpatrick would provide the Titans with quality insurance in case Mariota gets injured again.
