5 Players the Tampa Bay Buccaneers Should Cut During 2016 Offseason

5 Players the Tampa Bay Buccaneers Should Cut During Offseason

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers have a promising future, with Jameis Winston looking like a long-term answer under center as the centerpiece of the team. Looking ahead to 2016, here are five players the Buccaneers should cut during the coming offseason.

5 Players the Tampa Bay Buccaneers Should Cut During Offseason

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers have a promising future, with Jameis Winston looking like a long-term answer under center as the centerpiece of the team. Looking ahead to 2016, here are five players the Buccaneers should cut during the coming offseason.

5. WR Vincent Jackson

Beyond Jackson and Mike Evans, the Buccaneers don't have much talent at wide receiver. But Jackson comes with a significant financial burden, since he's due close to $9.8 million in base salary with a cap hit of $12.2 million next year. It's hard to see him agreeing to a pay cut without the prospect of a contract extension, heading into his age-33 season, so the Buccaneers may have no choice but to part ways with Jackson during the offseason.

5. WR Vincent Jackson

Beyond Jackson and Mike Evans, the Buccaneers don't have much talent at wide receiver. But Jackson comes with a significant financial burden, since he's due close to $9.8 million in base salary with a cap hit of $12.2 million next year. It's hard to see him agreeing to a pay cut without the prospect of a contract extension, heading into his age-33 season, so the Buccaneers may have no choice but to part ways with Jackson during the offseason.

4. TE Luke Stocker

Half of Stocker's eight receptions this season have come over the last two games, which should tell you everything with fellow tight end Austin Seferian-Jenkins missing nine games earlier. Stocker is due to make $3.3 million over the next two seasons, which makes him someone that can be cut with little consequence.

4. TE Luke Stocker

Half of Stocker's eight receptions this season have come over the last two games, which should tell you everything with fellow tight end Austin Seferian-Jenkins missing nine games earlier. Stocker is due to make $3.3 million over the next two seasons, which makes him someone that can be cut with little consequence.

3. TE Brandon Myers

Myers has zero catches in three of the last four games, while Cameron Brate has made a solid case for a roster spot next year with 22 receptions in 13 games this season. Having two tight ends on this list is decidedly uncontroversial, but Tampa Bay wouldn't lose much by letting Myers go too.

3. TE Brandon Myers

Myers has zero catches in three of the last four games, while Cameron Brate has made a solid case for a roster spot next year with 22 receptions in 13 games this season. Having two tight ends on this list is decidedly uncontroversial, but Tampa Bay wouldn't lose much by letting Myers go too.

2. OT Gosder Cherilus

The Buccaneers signed Cherilus out of necessity (desperation?) in August after Demar Dotson was sidelined by a knee injury, and he has not played well enough to justify keeping him around. Tampa Bay can save $3.5 million against next year's salary cap by cutting Cherilus (via Over the Cap.com), and that's what they should do.

2. OT Gosder Cherilus

The Buccaneers signed Cherilus out of necessity (desperation?) in August after Demar Dotson was sidelined by a knee injury, and he has not played well enough to justify keeping him around. Tampa Bay can save $3.5 million against next year's salary cap by cutting Cherilus (via Over the Cap.com), and that's what they should do.

1. CB Alterraun Verner

Verner's four-year, $25.5 million deal prior to the 2014 season is looking like a big mistake for Tampa Bay, as he had a bad first season and has had his role reduced this year (five starts in 15 games played). His next two base salaries ($6.75 million in 2016, $6.5 million in 2017) are not fully guaranteed, but the Buccaneers should cut Verner before things get even worse in terms of his level of play.

1. CB Alterraun Verner

Verner's four-year, $25.5 million deal prior to the 2014 season is looking like a big mistake for Tampa Bay, as he had a bad first season and has had his role reduced this year (five starts in 15 games played). His next two base salaries ($6.75 million in 2016, $6.5 million in 2017) are not fully guaranteed, but the Buccaneers should cut Verner before things get even worse in terms of his level of play.