Bucs Notes: Peterson, Howard, Barnett
Although Adrian Peterson has been linked to the Buccaneers thanks to his workouts with wide receiver DeSean Jackson (and the comments of head coach Dirk Koetter), Peterson doesn’t seem to be in Tampa Bay’s plans, according to Rick Stroud of the Tampa Bay Times. Reports have varied as to the Buccaneers’ level of aggressiveness of Peterson, but the club could use a running back given that Doug Martin‘s status is up in the air. Plus, Tampa Bay used the shotgun formation on less than 50% of its plays in 2016 (far below the league average), which could play to Peterson’s strengths given that he’s more productive in a traditional I-formation.
- The Panthers, Jaguars, and Bears will all meet with Alabama tight end O.J. Howard, who has previously chatted with the Titans and Buccaneers, reports Connor Orr of NFL.com. Howard is universally regarded as the draft’s No. 1 tight end, and could be selected as high as pick No. 4 when Jacksonville is on the board. Over the past two years in Tuscaloosa, Howard averaged 42 receptions for 599 yards while displaying ferocious blocking skills.
- Tennessee defensive end Derek Barnett has scheduled a predraft visit with the Buccaneers, per Jenna Laine of ESPN.com. Barnett dealt with a hamstring injury at the Volunteers’ Pro Day, so interested parties may want to get a closer look at him before the draft. As Laine notes, Barnett topped Reggie White’s Tennessee sack record of 33 in only three years, but doubters worry Barnett’s physical traits don’t match his production.
Buccaneers Possibility For Adrian Peterson?
It might be time to add the Buccaneers to the list of possible landing spots for free agent Adrian Peterson. The running back worked out with Buccaneers quarterback Jameis Winston on Tuesday, and head coach Dirk Koetter then told Rick Stroud of the Tampa Bay Times he’s “anxious to talk to Jameis and ask him how his workouts went.”
Koetter also called Peterson “one of the best running backs to ever play,” which is obviously true. Nevertheless, the 32-year-old Peterson hasn’t encountered much legitimate interest on the market since the Vikings declined his contract option in late February. Minnesota could have subsequently brought Peterson back for less, but it instead signed Latavius Murray. Conversely, the Lions and Giants haven’t ruled out a Peterson pursuit, though nothing seems to be brewing between the seven-time Pro Bowler and either team.
Interestingly, Peterson indicated in January, when he was still a Viking, that he had the Buccaneers on his radar. Tampa Bay could have a need in the backfield, too, as it only has “loose plans” for starter Doug Martin heading into 2017. Martin earned a four-game suspension for performance-enhancing drugs toward the end of last year and will have to sit the first three contests of next season as a result. The ban also turned Martin’s $7MM salary from guaranteed to non-guaranteed, meaning Tampa Bay could easily move on from him if it wants.
“I don’t know what’s going to happen as I sit here today, but right now we’ve got time on our side,” Koetter said regarding Martin’s future.
Aside from Martin, who’s only two years removed from earning first-team All-Pro status, the Buccaneers’ running back depth chart features Jacquizz Rodgers and Charles Sims, neither of whom has ever been a bell cow. Peterson, on the other hand, has eight 200-carry seasons to his name. As was the case with Martin, Peterson was excellent in 2015, when he led the NFL in both rushing attempts (327) and yards (1,485). However, a torn meniscus limited him to three games and 37 carries last year, when he averaged a microscopic 1.9 yards per rush. The injury, Peterson’s most recent performance and his age have all conspired to prevent him from landing a contract this offseason.
49ers Haven't Offered Jacquies Smith Contract
General manager John Lynch confirmed Sunday that the 49ers have met with Buccaneers restricted free agent defensive end Jacquies Smith, though they haven’t offered him a contract (via Matt Maiocco of CSN Bay Area). The Niners did have Smith take a physical during his visit, as the 27-year-old missed nearly all of last season with a torn ACL. “We wanted to get him checked out medically, and we’ll see,” said Lynch. If the 49ers do sign Smith to an offer sheet and the Bucs don’t match it, Tampa Bay won’t receive compensation because it only gave the former undrafted free agent an original-round tender.
Buccaneers Notes: King, Willis
- Like Lamp, Washington cornerback Kevin King will probably sneak into the back end of Day 1, says Pauline. Not only does King offer size (6’3″, 200 pounds), but he impressed scouts with a 4.43 40-yard dash. Plus, injuries to fellow defensive backs Sidney Jones and Fabian Moreau means other corners, such as King, will see their stock rise as the draft approaches, as supply no longer meets demand. The Buccaneers have worked out King, while the Jets plan to do the same, per Pauline.
- The Jaguars have visited with Kansas State defensive end Jordan Willis, reports Pauline, and the Eagles, Buccaneers, Dolphins, and Cowboys all plan to meet with the edge rusher, as well. Even with that level of interest, Willis will still likely end up being selected at the beginning of the second round rather than at the end of the first, writes Pauline. The Saints have already put Willis through a workout.
Buccaneers Meet With Jabrill Peppers
- Miami tight end David Njoku visited with the Panthers, as Njoku told the Rich Eisen Show (video link) earlier this week. Njoku, who registered 43 receptions and eight touchdowns last season, is expected to be one of two first-round picks at tight end, joining Alabama’s O.J. Howard. The Buccaneers and Giants are also reportedly eyeing Njoku, who is just 20 years old.
- The Buccaneers, Saints, and Cardinals have all conducted meetings with Michigan defender Jabrill Peppers, reports Michael Rothstein of ESPN.com (Twitter link). Debate has emerged regarding what position Peppers will play in the NFL, as though Peppers views himself as a safety, some clubs may see him as a linebacker. Per Peppers, 30 teams wants him to play safety, one wants him to play linebacker, and one outlier views Peppers as an offensive player, tweets Nick Baumgardner of MLive.com.
Buccaneers Eyeing Safeties, Offensive Weapons
- The Buccaneers have shown interest in a pair of safeties, according to ESPN.com’s Jenna Laine: Obi Melifonwu (Connecticut) and Budda Baker (Washington). The organization is also eyeing wide receivers Chris Godwin (Penn State) and Rodney Adams (South Florida), offensive tackle Julien Davenport (Bucknell), running back Kareem Hunt (Toledo), and tight end Michael Roberts (Toledo).
- Eastern Washington doesn’t have their Pro Day until early next week, but that didn’t stop some coaches from visiting their top prospects. The Cardinals and Buccaneers reportedly visited campus to work out defensive lineman Samson Ebukam.
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Bucs To Host Taco Charlton
- Michigan edge defender Taco Charlton has visits lined up with the Buccaneers, Cowboys, Dolphins and Saints, Michael Rothstein of ESPN.com reports. Registering 9.5 sacks during a season in which he played with a high ankle sprain, Charlton believes he’s a top-15 player. He met Thursday night with the Steelers, Ravens, Titans and Saints. There’s definitely one team that appears to be interested here, if the overlap is any indication.
49ers Host Bucs DE Jacquies Smith On Visit
Buccaneers defensive end Jacquies Smith is on a visit to the 49ers, a source tells Ian Rapoport of NFL.com (on Twitter). Smith is a restricted free agent, so the Bucs reserve the right to match any offer sheet. 
Smith was given the original round/right of first refusal tender by Tampa Bay this offseason. Because he entered the league as an undrafted free agent in 2012, the Buccaneers would not receive any draft compensation if they allowed an offer sheet to go unmatched.
Smith, 27, compiled 13.5 sacks between the 2014 and 2015 seasons. He suffered a torn ACL last season, but he is almost fully recovered, according to Rapoport. He was the only Tampa Bay defensive end with more than five sacks in 2015 and the team’s decision to give him the lowest level tender came as a bit of a surprise.
The Bucs currently project to start Robert Ayers and William Gholston at the defensive end spots. Beyond those two, they have Noah Spence, Davonte Lambert, and three other defensive ends under contract, not including Smith.
The Niners, meanwhile, have Arik Armstead and Aaron Lynch at defensive end with Ronald Blair and Zach Moore in support. If healthy, Smith could give them a big boost on the defensive line.
Bucs Notes: Njoku, Hawley
The Buccaneers met with Miami tight end David Njoku earlier this week, per Adam Caplan of ESPN.com (Twitter link). Njoku, who registered 43 receptions and eight touchdowns last season, is expected to be one of two first-round picks at tight end, joining Alabama’s O.J. Howard. The Giants, who sit at pick No. 23 (four spots behind Tampa Bay) are also said to be “very high” on Njoku.
- The second year of Buccaneers center Joe Hawley‘s two-year deal is an option year, Caplan tweets. As previously reported, the full two-year pact is worth $5.5MM with $1MM fully guaranteed. If Tampa Bay opts to pick up his 2018 option, Hawley will receive a $250K option bonus, per Aaron Wilson of the Houston Chronicle (Twitter link).
Davis Webb A Potential First-Round Pick?
California quarterback Davis Webb is a candidate to be selected in the first round of next month’s draft, according to Jason Cole of Bleacher Report (video link), who cites a “growing sense” Webb may be chosen on Day 1.
The Jets, Chiefs, and Chargers have all set up interviews with Webb, per Cole, while the Ravens and Buccaneers have also expressed interest in the 6’5″ signal-caller. A club could trade back into the first round with an eye towards drafting Webb, reports Cole, and such a move would enable a team to hold a fifth-year option on Webb. That option — for the 2021 campaign — would allow a club to retain Webb for a fifth season at a cheap rate.
While Webb has generally been considered a Day 2 pick to this point, the overall demand for quarterbacks could conceivably force him into the back end of Round 1. At present, Todd McShay of ESPN.com ranks Webb as the draft’s No. 7 QB, behind Deshaun Watson, Mitch Trubisky, DeShone Kizer, Patrick Mahomes, Nathan Peterman, and Joshua Dobbs.
Webb, 22, transferred to Cal from Texas Tech after losing out on the Red Raiders’ starting job to Mahomes. In his only season with the Bears, Webb completed 61.6% of his passes for 4,295 yards, 37 touchdowns, and 12 interceptions.