With The First Pick
Fansided

Buccaneers 2021 NFL Draft primer as Tom Brady looks to run it back

By Garrett Ballard

TAMPA, FLORIDA - FEBRUARY 07: A detailed view of the scoreboard after the Tampa Bay Buccaneers defeated the Kansas City Chiefs in Super Bowl LV at Raymond James Stadium on February 07, 2021 in Tampa, Florida. The Buccaneers defeated the Chiefs, 31-9. (Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images)
TAMPA, FLORIDA - FEBRUARY 07: A detailed view of the scoreboard after the Tampa Bay Buccaneers defeated the Kansas City Chiefs in Super Bowl LV at Raymond James Stadium on February 07, 2021 in Tampa, Florida. The Buccaneers defeated the Chiefs, 31-9. (Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images) /
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Buccaneers. (Photo by Don Juan Moore/Getty Images) /

Buccaneers busy retaining their own talent

The Bucs made plenty of offseason moves, but their focus was more on retention rather than addition. Coming off a Super Bowl victory over the Kansas City Chiefs, the Bucs have positioned themselves well to run it back.

The first major move the team made this offseason was applying the franchise tag to wide receiver Chris Godwin. Bruce Arians made it clear that Godwin would not be leaving Tampa, as he is a second WR1 in the Buccaneers offense. Arians is a man of his word, and if he says a player isn’t going anywhere, they aren’t going anywhere.

The next big signing was inking their star linebacker, Lavonte David, to a new two-year deal. David has been one of the best linebackers in the NFL for his entire career and was another player that Arians promised to keep in Tampa Bay.

The third player that was told would be staying in Tampa Bay, was edge rusher, Shaquil Barrett. Barrett has been a tremendous player after signing a one-year prove-it deal before the 2019 season. Barrett signed a four-year, $68 million deal to stay with the Buccaneers.

Rob Gronkowski, Tom Brady’s long-time security blanket, and one of the best tight ends of all-time was also brought back on a one-year, $10 million deal.

The one acquisition they made was the signing of running back Giovanni Bernard. Bernard will be the pass-catching back that the Buccaneers have so desperately needed. Among other signings, the Bucs brought back interior defensive linemen Ndamukong Suh, Rakeem Nunez-Roches, and Steve McLendon. They also brought back backup cornerback Ross Cockrell; backup linebacker Kevin Minter; and their kicker, Ryan Succop.

The Buccaneers returned all 22 starters from the 2020 season and added what could be a very big contributor in Giovanni Bernard.

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