TAMPA, Fla. -- I like what the Tampa Bay Buccaneers have done so far in free agency. They have addressed needs at middle linebacker, safety and defensive tackle.
But there still is a lot more work to be done. That’s because the Bucs still haven’t addressed their two biggest needs: defensive end and offensive line. They’ve tried but, so far, have come up empty at both spots.
They pursued Trent Cole and Derrick Morgan at defensive end, but they missed out on both. They had Oakland center Stefen Wisniewski in for a visit, but he remains unsigned.
Maybe the Bucs still can get Wisniewski. But they have to start looking at alternatives on the offensive line and at defensive end. They can’t count on filling all those needs in the draft.
That’s because their first-round pick almost certainly will be used on a quarterback (Jameis Winston or Marcus Mariota). They can get a starting defensive end or offensive lineman in the second round. But it might be too much to ask to get a starter in the third round or beyond.
The talent pool is dwindling at both defensive end and offensive line. But the Bucs need to step up and address at least one of those positions in free agency before it’s too late.