The Tampa Bay Buccaneers have signed a large group of undrafted free agents coming into the 2019 season. Many fans, including us here at Full Press Coverage Buccaneers, feel there may be a few hidden gems in this year’s class.
Each year teams scramble to find players post draft. These undrafted free agents have an advantage over drafted players. They can choose between suiters and pick where they are going. Some make the practice squad. In addition, a few make the roster and a select group make an impact. This year the Tampa Bay Buccaneers signed a large group. So who do we at Full Press Coverage thin will make the team?
Jeffery Olsen: D’Cota Dixon, Safety, Wisconsin
If there’s one undrafted free agent that I’m betting on to stick with the Buccaneers then it’s going to be D’Cota Dixon. The former Wisconsin safety is known for his sound tackling and willingness to hit. Even more than that he is known for his leadership and toughness; as shown when he won the Jason Witten Collegiate Man Of The Year award. This is the kind of guy you want in your locker room and I’m sure Bruce Arians is going to love what Dixon is all about. I can see him backing up Deone Bucannon or perhaps even Jordan Whitehead. He will more than anything likely be a contributor on special teams early.
Dixon’s best season came his junior year. In 14 games he had 32 solo tackles and 60 total. This included 2.5 tackles for loss and a sack. He was also disruptive int the secondary with four interceptions and four pass deflections.
Nick Sitro: Anthony Johnson, Wide Reciever, Buffalo
With much of the hype surrounding Khazin Daniels and Bruce Anderson, Anthony Johnson has slid under the radar of most Tampa Bay Buccaneer fans. Standing 6’2″, 209 pounds, Johnson exploded in 2017, posting a stat line of 76 receptions 1356 yards and 14 touchdowns for the University of Buffalo. A big bodied receiver, Johnson’s game is similar to Mike Evans, with an exceptional vertical and the skill to haul in passes while double teamed. The first-team All-MAC selection should fit perfectly in the Bruce Arians deep ball offense. Look for Johnson to compete for the 5th or 6th wide receiver slot going into training camp.
Jeremy Morrow: Zack Bailey, Guard, South Carolina
When asked to look into the Tampa Bay Buccaneers undrafted free agents and who may make the 53-man roster three names instantly came up. Wide receiver Anthony Johnson from Buffalo, running back Bruce Anderson from North Dakota State and defensive end Kahzin Daniels from Charleston University. These three front runners may not be the only ones. Piquing my interest recently has been Guard Zack Bailey from South Carolina.
Bailey is a big interior lineman, standing in at six foot five inches and weighing 299 pounds. The key to Bailey making the team is his versatility. While in college he played in 46 games, starting in 38. Additionally, his versatility came across the entire line with 27 starts at left guard, eight starts at right tackle, and three starts at center. Of the three left guard seems to be where he excels. During his time he played against like Clemson, Georgia, LSU, and Alabama. Subsequently, his play was good enough to earn 2018 All-SEC second team honors. Jason Licht may have found a gem, one that may replace and push Evan Smith off the roster. For his weakness, such as pad height, stance and balancing his body during both run and passing situations, he has found himself on the right team to coach those things to be better. Bailey may just make this team.
On August 31st at 4:00 p.m. New York time the Tampa Bay Buccaneers will have to reduce the team to a maximum of 53 players on the Active/Inactive List. We will get to see if any of these players make the team.
