With a glaring need at the safety position, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers have signed J.J. Wilcox to step in and improve the secondary
It was no secret to anybody the Buccaneers had to improve at the safety position in order to take a step forward this offseason. Saturday they did just that by signing former Dallas Cowboy J.J. Wilcox.
#Bucs add safety JJ Wilcox pic.twitter.com/fghKIJmDG0
— Scott Smith (@ScottSmithFOX13) March 11, 2017
J.J. Wilcox, 26, brings a ton of potential to the safety position. Drafted out of Georgia Southern in the 3rd round of the 2013 NFL draft by the Dallas Cowboys, Wilcox has seen the starting role come and go for him in Dallas, but no one doubts his potential. The hard-hitting safety should slot right in as a starter and brings an increase in athleticism at the position. Wilcox and the Buccaneers agreed on a two-year deal, rumored to be worth up to $8.5 million. With the potential to shine at the safety position, this is a fantastic deal by the Buccaneers, who can look to a safety-rich draft to add depth to the position, and an eventual replacement in case Wilcox doesn’t work out, while not breaking the bank for talent.
Done deal for S JJ Wilcox in Tampa, as @BigDogwdae reported. Source says it's a 2-year deal worth up to $8.5m.
— Mike Garafolo (@MikeGarafolo) March 11, 2017
The signing of J.J. Wilcox by the Bucs all but signifies the end of Bradley McDougald‘s stay in Tampa after signing a one-year deal last offseason. McDougald was with the Buccaneers for four years and should be able to find a new home, even if it is in a reserve role. Look for the Dallas Cowboys to pay their due diligence to McDougald after losing both Wilcox and Barry Church to free agency.
If this offseason has shown us anything, it’s that the front office in Tampa is committed to winning now, as they have addressed their two biggest needs in free agency by signing Wilcox and Thursday signing wide receiver DeSean Jackson.
