The new league year and beginning of free agency starts at 4:00 p.m. ET on March 11. The trading period for 2026 also starts at 4:00 p.m. ET, after the expiration of all 2025 contracts. The free agency craze will soon commence as many of the league's heralded names will hit the open market. The Tampa Bay Buccaneers have several names on the impending unrestricted free agent list, including cornerstones Mike Evans and Lavonte David.
The Athletic created a top-150 free-agent ranking for 2026 and five Bucs were among the rundown, including Mike Evans at seven, Rachaad White at 70, Jamel Dean at 84, Cade Otton at 99 and Lavonte David at 149.
Throughout his career, Evans has been the constant in Tampa Bay through an ever-evolving pendulum of offensive systems, coordinators and quarterbacks. The future Hall of Fame receiver did not reach the 1,000-yard receiving milestone for the first time in his career in 2025 due to injuries but extended his prolific streak to 11 in 2024, tying Pro Football Hall of Famer Jerry Rice for the most consecutive 1,000-yard seasons in league annals. He posted 30 receptions for 368 yards in 2025 with 12.3 yards per reception and three touchdowns. Throughout his 12-year career, Evans has accumulated 866 receptions for 13,052 receiving yards, a 15.1 average per reception, 109 touchdowns in 176 games played and 175 game starts. The jump-ball specialist and back-shoulder-catch aficionado will be a hit commodity this offseason as teams look to solidify their offensive arsenal.
White came in at 70, after posting 572 yards and four touchdowns in 2025 on 132 attempts for a 4.3-yard average per carry. He helped spur the ground game alongside Bucky Irving with his patience in his run tempo, ability to stack cuts, willingness to do the dirty work between the tackles in short-yardage situations and body control as a receiver. Dean allowed the lowest passer rating when targeted among cornerbacks with a minimum of 35 defensive targets per NextGen Stats (41.3) in 2025. Additionally, he had the second-lowest completion percentage when targeted among cornerbacks with a minimum of 35 defensive targets in 2025 (43.1%). He dealt with a shoulder injury in 2025 that sidelined him but when on the field, Dean showcased his coverage prowess. He used his length to disrupt the catch space and elevated the Bucs' secondary.
Otton posted 993 snaps in 2025, rarely coming off the field due to his ability as a blocker. He totaled 59 receptions for 572 yards and displayed his multi-faceted skillset. Otton can run a full route tree and has a knack for finding the soft spots in zones to exploit the underneath area of the field. He can alter his speed to bait defenders, win at all three levels of the field and adjust to catches with no wasted momentum in his stride. The durable tight end will be an intriguing option on the market for a tight end-needly club.
David, the legendary Bucs' linebacker, has achieved both longevity and consistency throughout his sensational tenure. In 2025, David accumulated an interception, three passes defensed, two forced fumbles, two fumble recoveries, 3.5 sacks, 114 combined tackles (61 solo), eight tackles for loss and six quarterback hits. Throughout his prolific tenure in Tampa Bay, David has boasted 14 interceptions, 73 passes defensed, 33 forced fumbles, 21 fumble recoveries, 42.5 sacks, 1,714 combined tackles, 1,172 solo tackles, 177 tackles for loss and 79 quarterback hits. David is one of two players since tackles began being tracked in 1994 with 1,500-plus tackles, 40.0-plus sacks and 10-plus interceptions, joining Ray Lewis. Time will tell if David decides to retire or continues playing, but, his résumé speaks for itself.
