Bucs continue work on free-agent front
TAMPA — Adam Humphries was an undrafted free agent from Clemson who caught the Bucs’ eye in a rookie tryout camp in 2015. Last season, he was second on the team in receptions with 61 for 631 yards and one touchdown.
That earned Humphries a substantial raise on Monday. The Bucs placed a second-year tender of $2.914 million for 2018 on Humphries as a restricted free agent. He made $615,000 in base salary last season.
That means the Bucs will have the right of first refusal of any potential offer sheet Humphries may sign with another team. If they decided not to match, they would receive a secondround pick as compensation.
The Bucs also kept key depth at linebacker by resigning Adarius Glanton to a one-year contract. Glanton, 27, had been non-tendered as a restricted free agent — which would’ve meant one year at $1.9 million — but instead gave him a $250,000 signing bonus to go with a $790,000 base salary for 2018. Glanton, who had 20 tackles in a threegame span at linebacker, suffered a broken leg in the season finale against New Orleans but should be fully recovered next month.
The Bucs and other NFL teams could have started negotiating contracts for free agents beginning at noon Monday. The new league year and signing period commences at 4 p.m. Wednesday.
A big focus for the Bucs this offseason is locking up some of their own young stars. It began Friday with the signing of receiver Mike Evans to a five-year extension worth $82.5 million. There will be more between now and the start of the 2018 season.
It’s hard to know how active the Bucs will be in free agency. They have big needs on the defensive line and at cornerback, guard, running back and safety, so the shopping list begins there.
The goal is to fill as many needs as possible prior to the draft so the Bucs are not held hostage to any position and can attempt to select the best player available. This happened last year when tight end O.J. Howard fell to them with the 19th overall pick.
The Bucs did not have a huge need at the tight end position, but they felt comfortable taking the best player.
In addition to evaluating other free agents, the Bucs can continue to re-sign their own. They have 15 players prepared to hit the market.
Among those who saw significant time as starters are cornerback Brent Grimes, left guard Kevin Pamphile, cornerback Robert McClain, defensive tackle Clinton McDonald and kicker Patrick Murray. There also are several restricted free agents the Bucs would like to lock up, such as tight end Cameron Brate and Humphries.
The Bucs own the exclusive rights to running back Peyton Barber, who is expected to return to the club as the team’s leading rusher.
Both coach Dirk Koetter and general manager Jason Licht have said they want Grimes to return, but he is definitely going to talk with other teams to determine his value.
Who are the marquee players in free agency from other teams that the Bucs will at least consider? Several are with the New England Patriots. Running back Dion Lewis rushed for 896 yards and averaged five yards per carry with six touchdowns. He added three more as a receiver.
Cornerback Malcolm Butler, who was inexplicably benched for the Super Bowl, has a good résumé. Left tackle Nate Solder may re-sign with the Patriots but the Houston Texans reportedly have an interest.
The best guard available is Carolina’s Andrew Norwell, but reports say he could earn as much as $12 million per year.