Jaguars could sign these 4 free agents with ties to DC Mike Caldwell

No. 2 Buccaneers free agent the Jaguars can sign – O.J. Howard, TE.

Last year, the Buccaneers managed to bring back all 11 starters on both sides of the ball but they won’t be able to repeat the feat this offseason. First, there’s a 99.9 percent chance Tom Brady will retire but even if he changed his mind and decided to return for another ride, Tampa Bay currently has around $6 million in cap space, so it will be a tough task to bring back all their pending free agents.

One Buccaneers player that may not return in 2022 is tight end O.J. Howard. Sure, Rob Gronkowski is likely to leave but Howard may want to test free agency and try to get the best possible contract. Now, the Alabama product hasn’t lived up to his first-round billing and ranked ninth in receptions in Tampa Bay last season. But, he could benefit from a change of scenery and Jacksonville could be a potential landing spot for him this offseason.

During his first two NFL seasons, the tight end hauled in 60 receptions for 997 yards and 11 trips to the end zone. Moreover, he averaged 16.6 yards per catch, so the talent is clearly there. In Tampa Bay, he fell off the depth chart due to the presence of Gronkowski and Cameron Brate, but if given the chance, Howard would likely take advantage of it. It would be up to the Jaguars’ coaching staff to make the most out of him.

Spotrac projects Howard to sign a one-year, $2.2 million deal this offseason. He could be a solid potential reclamation project and a low-key addition to the Jags’ tight end room.