This year’s NFL free agency period has already been a solid one for the four-time defending NFC South champion Tampa Bay Buccaneers. They re-signed wide receiver Chris Godwin and linebacker Lavonte David, two of their most important veterans, while also bringing in pass rusher Haason Reddick.
It seems as if they may be focusing more on defense this offseason, which would make sense. While they were fourth in points scored and third in total yards last season, they were 16th in points allowed and 29th in passing yards given up.
They could use a little more help at the linebacker position. Kristopher Knox of Bleacher Report named the Buccaneers as one of the best fits for free agent LB E.J. Speed.
“We saw an early run on off-ball linebackers in free agency, but Indianapolis Colts standout E.J. Speed wasn’t among the initial signings,” Knox wrote.
“… However, Speed is still a starting-caliber linebacker with adequate coverage skill and an ability to position himself around the football. He recorded 142 tackles and 93 solo stops last year and logged 244 tackles over his last two seasons.
“Speed can slot in as a starting linebacker or a high-end rotational player and can also provide special-teams value.”
Currently, David and new addition Anthony Walker Jr. are slated to be Tampa Bay’s starting inside linebackers in head coach Todd Bowles’ 3-4 defensive alignment. Speed will turn 30 years of age in July, so he’s younger than David, and he’s a more productive player than Walker.
Speed, a fifth-round draft pick in 2019, has spent all six of his NFL seasons with the Colts. In addition to his 142 total tackles in 2024, he recorded seven tackles for loss, five passes defended and one interception.
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