An Intriguing Free Agent Depth Option for the Buccaneers

Each year NFL rosters are filled out with players of varying skill sets and capabilities. Some of these players are forgotten, discarded by other teams, and buried in numbers. Some of these players need a second chance, new venue, or to be put in a scheme that suits them.

There are a few of these overlooked players out there that I feel the Buccaneers should invite for a tryout while the preseason is in full swing. One big key area to adress is the depth of the pass rush and there may be a lesser-known and forgotten player to bring in.

Myjai Sanders OLB/DE

Myjai Sanders was initially a third round selection in 2022 by the Arizona Cardinals 100th overall. At 6’5″ and 228 pounds he exhibited great speed, 4.67 in the 40-yard dash, quick hands, and some decent fitness moves to get to the quarterback. Unfortunately, an injury during training camp pushed him down the depth chart in Arizona.

So after missing the first four games Sanders made his way back into the lineup. Sporadically starting in 4 games of 13 where he logged 17 solo tackles, 3 tackles for loss, 3 sacks, and 3 pass deflections. Adding in the 17 total pressuers with 13 hurries and he was starting to show promise. For that season it was good enough for PFF grade of 62.9 in pass rush. This was while only being in on 23% of defensive snaps. Not bad for a rookie and along the same stat line as Joe Tryon-Shoyinka, JTS (fewer pressures/hurries) who had twice as many snaps.

After another injury and failed attempts to trade him, the Cardinals released Sanders before the 2023 season. Excited and having watched him play at Cincinnati in college DeMarco Murray quickly brought Sanders to the Texans. Unfortunately, this did not pan out. Making the switch from outside linebacker to defensive end destroyed Sanders’ productivity. He played sparingly in seven games. Ultimately leading to his release where he sits as a free agent currently.

Why The Buccaneers Should Bring Him In

His rookie stat numbers alone make him interesting. Given the snap count, he performed as good if not better than JTS’s rookie season. Especially once you consider that JTS had more than twice as many snaps. The concerning part is the lack of playing time and production in Houston. But once you look at that roster you find the likes of number three overall pick Will Anderson jr, Johnathan Greenard, and Jerry Hughes. All very capable players especially with Anderson and Greenard taking the majority of snaps. Additionally, Sanders, now playing in a 4-3 base defensive scheme, was out of place.

With the Buccaneers playing in a multi-front base 3-4 scheme maybe Sanders could rekindle the production from his rookie year. The scheme fit alone bumps up the promise that Sanders could return to the form that had him selected in the third round. Furthermore, if he does, he’ll be an upgrade over Markees Watts, Daniel Grzesiak, and Shaun Peterson Jr. He would also push Jose Ramirez who seems to be making a decent push to make the roster.

Final Thought

There is no harm in bringing someone in now in the preseason and have them try out. Especially with Sanders being young, one year removed from a good rookie season, and needing a new place to perform. Also, This Buccaneers team requires depth on the defensive line/linebacker corps and eventually a replacement for JTS.