With Darrelle Revis good as gone from the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, the team must now fill the defensive void left by the cornerback. Revis did not play the full season last year after tearing his ACL in 2012, but he was very productive once he got going and now the team will be shorthanded at the position. With salary cap space to burn, the Buccaneers are targeting the best.
Tampa Bay must first clear Revis off the books. The team confirmed they are shopping the cornerback over the next 24 hours before the must pay him a $1.5 million roster bonus. Revis has only played one season with Tampa Bay after the team gave up two first-round picks to get him, but being a $16 million cap hit does not help his future.
A trade for Revis is unlikely. Tampa Bay is looking for two first-round picks in return for the cornerback and no one will take that on along with a large salary cap hit to one player. ESPN's Adam Schefter reports the Buccaneers are prepared to simply release him come the Wednesday deadline.
So where does Tampa Bay look once Revis is gone? The first player on the wish list will likely include Aqib Talib. The cornerback has had his share of off-the-field issues, but a strong 2013 has increased his value in the league. The New England Patriots are currently trying to negotiate a new contract with the veteran, but if they let him walk away, Talib becomes in high demand. Tampa Bay will be willing to give him a friendly deal since they have the money and will be desperate.
Antonio Cromartie could also be a strong option. The New York Jets have announced they have released Cromartie in favor of salary cap space. The cornerback was a $9.5 million cap hit in 2014 and the Jets simply could not afford to keep that on. Cromartie told ESPN Radio that he will test the market and see if there is interest in him, but he is not ruling out a return to the Jets at a discounted rate.
ESPN's Adam Caplan reports the Buccaneers will also pursue Alterraun Verner who is one of the more in-demand cornerbacks considering how well he plays cover-2 defense. Verner is getting interest from almost every team in the league, so Tampa Bay will likely enter a bidding war for him. Verner would be an excellent replacement for Revis. Tampa Bay would not see a drop in production with him.
