Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Early Free Agency Grades

NFL free agency has officially opened, which means players and teams can now freely speak to each other and come to deals. We will now find out how the NFL landscape will be altered for the upcoming 2025 season. The Tampa Bay Buccaneers, with multiple needs and key free agents on the market, had some work to do at the onset of free agency.

How did they handle the first day, and what were my thoughts on their moves? Well, that is what you are here for, right? Let’s get into a recap of free agency for the Buccaneers!

Tampa Bay Buccaneers Free Agency Additions

EDGE Haason Reddick: 1 year, $14 million

At the starting gun of free agency, the Buccaneers immediately addressed one of their key needs on defense.

The reigning NFC South Champions came to an agreement with EDGE Hasson Reddick on Monday. The deal, according to NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport, was for one year and up to $14 million, with $12 million guaranteed.

Haason Reddick has agreed to terms on a 1 year deal for $14mil with $12mil guaranteed with the Buccaneers. Deal negotiated by Drew Rosenhaus

— Ian Rapoport (@rapsheet1.bsky.social) 2025-03-10T16:06:02.249Z

Reddick, after a long, drawn-out contract saga with the Jets, had one of his lowest seasons of production in 2024. He only posted three sacks and three quarterback hits, a far cry from his previously elite production. Reddick also had his worst PFF run defense grade since his 2020 season.

At 31 years old, Reddick is likely on the back nine of his NFL career. However, a one-year deal is a perfect proposition for the Temple product and Tampa Bay; Reddick will be motivated to get back to an elite level to get a bigger bag, while the Bucs will get to potentially reap the benefits of having a premier pass rusher on their defense.

Reddick should not prevent Tampa from taking an edge rusher in the draft. But for a team firmly in their contention window, Reddick is a solid signing with some upside. I am a fan of it. 

Grade: B

Chris Godwin: 3 years, $66 million

Great teams keep their great players around and make sure they get taken care of financially. The Buccaneers are one of those organizations, and they proved it once again with wide receiver Chris Godwin.

Despite strong interest from the New England Patriots, the star wideout agreed to a three-year deal worth $66 million with $44 million guaranteed. The deal takes Godwin into his early 30s and keeps him on a similar trajectory with Baker Mayfield and Mike Evans.

The Buccaneers have agreed to a new contract with receiver Chris Godwin, per source.

— Dianna Russini (@diannarussini.bsky.social) 2025-03-10T16:09:04.786Z

Before his 2024 injury, Godwin was having a fantastic season. Across seven games, the Penn State product had 50 receptions, 576 yards, and five touchdowns. He had over 60 percent of his snaps from the slot, 347 yards after the catch, and two games of 100+ receiving yards. In a new offensive scheme, Godwin was finding plenty of success again alongside Mike Evans.

If Godwin can get back to his pre-injury form, or at least close to it, the Bucs could have one of the best offenses in the NFL once again. And with that contract, this is as good of a move as it gets for free agency.

Grade: A+

Ben Bredeson: 3 years, $22 million

A major part of the Buccaneers’ offensive success in the past two years has been their offensive line. Based on one of their other signings, Tampa Bay seems to understand that fact.

According to NFL Network’s Mike Garafolo, Tampa Bay is re-signing offensive guard Ben Bredeson for three years and $22 million. In terms of guarantees, Bredeson will see at least $12.5 million throughout the contract.

The #Buccaneers have agreed to terms on a three-year, $22 million deal with G Ben Bredeson, sources tell me and @Sara_Walsh. Bredeson started 17 games for Tampa last season. Gets $12.5m guaranteed now in a deal done by Joe Panos and Justin Schulman of @AthletesFirst. pic.twitter.com/uYV5EM58Lf

— Mike Garafolo (@MikeGarafolo) March 10, 2025

The guard is not a world-beater but was durable and productive for Tampa Bay in 2024. He played the most snaps in his career with multiple great performances, and helped elevate the Bucs’ offense to one of the best in the league in 2024. Bredeson held down the fort at left guard all year, but he brings some versatility with his experience playing center and right guard.

Continuity is very important for offensive lines at the NFL level. They need time to mesh together and understand the play style of each other; without the proper time to develop and mesh, units cannot reach their full potential. Tampa Bay understood this, and as a result, they brought back a key piece in Bredeson. That is a very solid move in my book.

Grade: B

Lavonte David: 1 year, $14 million

Lavonte David is a franchise legend who had a pretty productive season in 2024. While not as elite in coverage as in past years, the linebacker had seven sacks and 30 pressures, his best marks since 2013. David showed that, even in Year 13, he could still hang with the best of them on the gridiron.

Three-time All-Pro Lavonte David returns to the Buccaneers after generating 34 pressures last season, tied for the most among off ball linebackers. 23 of those pressures came within 2.5 seconds of the snap, leading his position.@Buccaneers | #RaiseTheFlags https://t.co/wy62pS6wMP pic.twitter.com/Nt0Pv2AgX0

— Next Gen Stats (@NextGenStats) March 10, 2025

After signing his one-year, $14 million deal,  it seems that 2025 could be David’s “last dance” with Tampa Bay. All in all, there is no downside to this move. It is a great move for both the team and the player for the 2025 NFL season.

Grade: A

Riley Dixon: 2 years, $6 million

With their punter position open and needing improvement, the Buccaneers nabbed former Broncos punter Riley Dixon on the second day of free agency. The punter received a $6 million deal over two years to come to the NFC South champions.

Punter news! #Broncos P Riley Dixon is going to the #Bucs, as they’ve agreed to terms, sources say. He gets a 2-year, $6M. pic.twitter.com/AWqN15ZapN

— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) March 11, 2025

Dixon had an impressive 36 punts downed inside the 20-yard line and only produced five touchbacks during the entire season. His average hang time was 4.43 seconds, a mark which has steadily increased over the past three seasons.

Overall, Dixon is a great get for the Bucs on special teams. Not only has he produced over the past three years, but he has consistently improved his game in that timeframe as well. He will help this team win football games this season.

Grade: B+ 

Anthony Nelson: 2 years, $10 million

The Buccaneers value consistency and continuity on both sides of the ball, and one of their more recent free agency signings reflects that.

Addressing another internal free agent, the Bucs brought back edge rusher Anthony Nelson on a two-year, $10 million deal. The contract has a maximum of $12 million for its entire duration.

Pass rusher Anthony Nelson back to the #Bucs at two years and $10M with a max of $12M, per source.

Versatile defender back with Todd Bowles. pic.twitter.com/3uUBNIy0fL

— Jeremy Fowler (@JFowlerESPN) March 11, 2025

Nelson did a bit of everything for the Buccaneers in 2024 and has done so throughout his entire tenure with the team. He has been a stout run defender in the past, although he was not as productive in that category last year. Nelson provided 33 pressures as a pass rusher(a career best), had four sacks, a forced fumble, and had 12 defensive stops.

Is Nelson a player that will prevent Tampa Bay from investing in the position again? No. However, the veteran is a very serviceable player who will play a big role in the defense in 2025. It is not an elite signing, but it is not one that should be overlooked either.

Grade: B+ 

Other Moves/Notes:

• C.J. Brewer: Good depth signing for the DL that keeps their continuity going strong.
• Kyle Trask: The former Florida QB will likely compete for the backup QB role.
• Greg Gaines: More good depth along the defensive line. Good teams cannot ever have enough of it.
• Anthony Walker:  Tampa Bay agreed to a one-year deal with the former Dolphin and Brown on March 13. He is not an elite linebacker, but he provides solid run defense and has been very good in coverage in previous years. This is a floor and depth signing for the Buccaneers.
• Kindle Vildor: The former Detroit Lions cornerback agreed to a one-year deal with the Bucs on March 13. Vildor has not been the best in coverage, but he is only 27 years old and has flashed at times during his career. This is truly a depth signing for the secondary.
• Charlie Heck: Tampa Bay agreed to a one-year deal with the former 49er, Cardinal, and Texan. With a short contract and lower-level salary, Heck likely projects as a potential depth option and swing tackle.
• Sterling Shepard: The Bucs brought back the Oklahoma product on a one-year deal, according to the team’s general manager on Twitter. Shepard is a nice rotational and depth piece at the wideout position who shares a rapport with Tampa Bay quarterback Baker Mayfield.
• Joe Tryon-Shoyinka: The EDGE is heading to the Cleveland Browns on a one-year deal. Once thought of as a major piece for the future, Tryon-Shoyinka just never really figured it out in Tampa Bay.
• K.J. Britt: Swapping places with Anthony Walker, the former Buccaneer agreed to a one-year deal with the Miami Dolphins. He should add depth, at the very least, to the Miami linebacker core.