Buccaneers Labeled Good Fit for 49ers Free Agent Linebacker

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers have a lot of boxes to check off this offseason with regard to roster positions. 

The main target is wideout Chris Godwin, who enters free agency, and the Bucs have stated they'd like to keep him around. But that's not the only box to check.

The Bucs need to improve on defense, and it can start at linebacker. Lavonte David is considering retirement, and if he doesn't he'll be a free agent. Anthony Nelson and Joe Tryon-Shoyinka are both free agents as well.

That's why Pro Football Focus' Bradley Locker picked the Bucs as a "perfect match" for free agent linebacker Dre Greenlaw.

"The Buccaneers are assuredly focusing on re-signing Chris Godwin, but linebacker is an issue in and of itself. Even if Tampa Bay drafts one early, the team will probably need to sign more bodies there, and Greenlaw would contribute," Locker wrote.

"Although he missed virtually all of 2024 due to a torn Achilles, Greenlaw was a stud in the two years prior. In that span, his 88.9 PFF coverage grade ranked third among qualified linebackers and his 80.1 PFF overall grade sat 12th. The Buccaneers could use coverage help at linebacker, given that the team’s unit finished 20th in PFF coverage grade and 24th in passer rating when targeted last year.

"Greenlaw’s market will be interesting because of his injury history, but he’ll have a real shot of playing at a premier level if he stays healthy. Todd Bowles would love his services over the middle."

The data on the pass defense is accurate, and as the defensive coordinator, Bowles must be irritated by it. Even if the Bucs' free agent linebackers want to return, based on last year's performance, it's not a given that they'll be back.

But Greenlaw would be a huge upgrade on the defense's second level.