Top five free agent targets for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Yannick Ngakoue, EDGE

It’s been well documented that Yannick Ngakoue wants out of Jacksonville and I expect that to happen this spring. Ngakoue is a former third-round pick out of Maryland who has proven to be one of the better young edge talents in the NFL. In four years, he’s racked up 37.5 sacks, while never having less than eight in a season.

It’d be tough to see the Tampa Bay Buccaneers keep Shaq Barrett and sign Yannick Ngakoue, but if for some reason the team allows Barrett to walk, Ngakoue could be the guy they target to replace him. They will be demanding similar money this off-season, so signing them both to big contracts is unlikely, but Ngakoue could be an option.

Bruce Arians has been very adamant about keeping the core of last year’s defense together, so it seems unlikely that Barrett wouldn’t be a Buc next year but if for some reason that happens, keeping Ngakoue inside the sunshine state would be a great move for the Bucs.

Good edge rushers are hard to come by, and the Bucs need to have one to be successful, no matter who it is. Keeping that defensive line dominant will be a very important thing for the Bucs and Ngakoue can definitely keep it dominant.