Replacing Carlton Davis With Patrick Peterson And A Draft Pick
February 10th, 2022
Eight-time Pro Bowler Patrick Peterson
Maybe the Bucs can make all their expensive free agents happy. Maybe they can’t. If they had enough salary cap room, then they certainly would. But they don’t
So many questions. For example, will 27-year-old right guard Alex Cappa command quality starter money approaching $10 million a season?
One big question goes to talented but injury-prone Bucs cornerback Carlton Davis. He certainly wants well north of $10 million per season on a multiyear deal. That’s the going rate for a young No. 1 cornerback who is considered above average.
Davis is in that category, and he has playoff experience. Minor knocks on him would be that he’s not great in zone coverage, doesn’t have strong hands, picks up too many flags, and injuries find him.
So suppose the Bucs wave goodbye? What will they do?
Eight-time Pro Bowl corner Patrick Peterson is on the market if he doesn’t re-sign with the Vikings. He turns 32 in July and everything Joe has read out of Minnesota says Peterson still has plenty left in the tank. He missed three games this season with a hamstring injury and one game with COVID.
Joe hears Peterson is still committed to tackling (a tackling dropoff is usually the first sign an old corner is mailing it in) and a lot of Vikings fans want him back. Peterson earned $8 million last season and perhaps he would play for less to reunite with Bucco Bruce Arians and Todd Bowles, men who coached him for years in Arizona.
At the 2019 Pro Bowl in Orlando, Joe talked to Peterson extensively about Arians and Bowles, and it was very clear how much he loved playing for them.
Might the Bucs pounce on Peterson with a one-year deal ($6 million plus incentives?) and draft a cornerback to replace Davis?
It’s supposed to be a strong draft for corners, and adding Peterson and a rookie would instantly create competition at corner that the Bucs have avoided the last two seasons. That could be a good thing.
Joe is not writing off Peterson because of his age. He’s had an extraordinarily durable career, and Joe remembers Brent Grimes arriving in Tampa at 33 years old and totally balling out.
February 10th, 2022 at 10:28 am
Sounds like a good idea to me Joe. Thanks for the great read! Now I am excited
February 10th, 2022 at 10:29 am
A good backup plan or something similar would work…….A first round pick on a position that is deep makes sense since we are .at 27
We may need a TE, RB, WR, DT, OLB……..so we have many needs.
February 10th, 2022 at 10:37 am
Great article Joe! Thanks for a good read!
February 10th, 2022 at 10:37 am
pay CD. he’s earned it!
February 10th, 2022 at 10:40 am
He’s the only legit CB, and all of the Buc CBs are poor zone defenders.
What’s the common denominator? Is it the CBs they choose to draft, or the way the coaching staff develops their CBs? I don’t know, but something needs to be fixed.
February 10th, 2022 at 10:44 am
I like the idea of having a capable vet corner in the lineup. The Sherminator experiment was a good idea on paper but youngsters need experience AND talent to help elevate their individual skills and group cohesion. If CD cannot be re-signed, I think acquiring PP is a good move.
February 10th, 2022 at 10:48 am
I’m not in love with Davis, I say let him walk. I believe it’s important to sign Suh,Jensen,Gholston,Fournette, Whitehead, Cappa and Stinnie if they are willing. Of course Gronk too but I’m doubtful he’d stay. I believe RoJo is a fantastic back who was foolishly misused by the coaching staff. I’d want him if they’d let him play, but no point if they’re sour on him. I say franchise Godwin again, sucks but he’s hurt and have to see how he responds. JPP is a great glue guy if he can physically do it, but he was really shot, so it would have to be for a smaller amount, and with him considered a rotational guy unless he proves otherwise- I never doubt this guy outright….who knows- the rest let walk, I like Andrew Adams but do t care that much
February 10th, 2022 at 10:52 am
No one this injury prone is worth 10 mil. It’s that simple.
February 10th, 2022 at 11:05 am
Not worth the 10 million for Davis, so many lost games and snaps over time because of injury. If he is above average then that does not say much about CB’s in the NFL.
Is he a bad player no, but they need to upgrade both CB positions somehow.
GO BUCS!!!!
February 10th, 2022 at 11:07 am
It is a good thing that some of the posters here aren’t the GM.
February 10th, 2022 at 11:12 am
You guys are insane there is no way you let Davis walk and sign a 33 year old corner lol wild. Davis is not the number one corner in the league for sure but he is a top ten corner back guess what you pay them and cappa you can find a good cheaper options might already be on the roster in stinnie.
February 10th, 2022 at 11:19 am
Let Kappa walk as it has been shown that others can plug in and play just as well at guard there. Davis I would keep, if you can get him under the average because at end of the day he is a good starting NFL corner, unfortunately he is the only NFL starting corner the bucs have. Licht is not the best evaluator when it comes to corners
February 10th, 2022 at 11:29 am
bye bye carlton davis pick up 2 corners in the draft keep dean and smb hope for the best get younger for gods sake!
February 10th, 2022 at 11:31 am
Whitehead keep, Cappa, Stinnie sign keep the line together Ryan Jensen gets this years tag
February 10th, 2022 at 11:40 am
Ash I agree there is some crazy talk going on in here. PP is not the same player he was and certainly can’t be any teams number one cover corner any longer. There’s a reason you talk about offering 6 mil.
You don’t let David walk out the door with a brutal schedule like the Bucs have. If you want to add him to the mix ok but you don’t go one or the other
February 10th, 2022 at 11:43 am
Joe … ‘Might the Bucs pounce on Peterson with a one-year deal ($6 million plus incentives?) and draft a cornerback to replace Davis?’
Fantastic option Joe; that’s thinking outside the box. Providing of course that we could get Peterson for that price & that the Vikings don’t re-sign him.
Assuming that we do draft a CB, it should be in Rnd 1 or Rnd 2 at the latest. Everybody’s looking for CBs, and the chances of finding a quality draft pick in Rnd 3 or later who could start OR rotate in/successfully backup is probably not that great. Gardner from Cincinnati & Stingley from LSU are the 2 CBs who interest me the most at this point (both sub-4.5).
And BTW, I seriously doubt that Davis can be had for the $10 mil number some are throwing around since his Market Value is listed at TWICE THAT. Will he get that? I doubt it because of his recent injury history. But I do think he can get $15-$16 mil from somebody. Gut feel is that it won’t be the Bucs though.
February 10th, 2022 at 11:44 am
Cappa needs to get signed. He is the impetus of our running game and will be crucial next season.
I think that getting Peterson will be a waste. He only has a year or two, and, though we will win the division, we can’t go all in for a Stupor Bowl now.
This will be a rebuilt team next season. If it all comes together, fine, but we need two good drafts to build a contender, maybe more if Trask isn’t what I think he is.
February 10th, 2022 at 11:52 am
Was cutting Darrelle Revis and signing Alterraun Verner a good idea? Sure, it saved the Bucs some money, but Verner wasn’t good at football (with the Bucs, anyway). Carlton Davis IS good (IMHO) and Patrick Peterson WAS good (IMHO).
February 10th, 2022 at 11:55 am
At 32, the guy has two years left TOPS, then we’re right back here again
Not really fair to say if you believe SMB and Dean are quality starters. They’re about to enter final year of their rookie contracts. Can’t sign everyone. -Joe
February 10th, 2022 at 12:12 pm
Peterson will be the next sherman.
February 10th, 2022 at 12:18 pm
The Bucs should just pay Davis. Premium position and he fits their scheme. Dean is a good CB2. SMB is terrible.
Paying 32 year old Peterson unless it’s for depth is a mistake.
February 10th, 2022 at 12:23 pm
I am paying young Cappa over Jensen to play next to hold down the right side with a younger Wirfs. We have to develop a new team and whoever Jensen will be snapping to will not have the same connection and communication as the GOAT. Trade Donny. Getting older and sure as hell don’t make another who $42 million mistake.
February 10th, 2022 at 12:57 pm
Sounds like a damn good plan to me Joes.
February 10th, 2022 at 1:07 pm
A better PASD RUSH will FIX EVERYTHING! It’s so simple!
February 10th, 2022 at 1:11 pm
Cant see PP on a one year deal. Its his final contract. Someone is going to give him a 3yrs. Agree on competition 100%, we need to get a decent year out of SMB.
February 10th, 2022 at 1:28 pm
I A HEART BEAT! Davis is way overrated ask McVay. JC Jackson would a better option.
February 10th, 2022 at 1:34 pm
I love Peterson play style..I say yes
February 10th, 2022 at 1:41 pm
Nope got burned last year
February 10th, 2022 at 1:45 pm
At this point I say we draft cb center lb and the rest should be best available players…
Sign Winston back for team friendly deal..
Compete Trask vs winston…or I love to see mighty mouse under center..
Be nice to get fournette back cheap if not find a free agent.
Whitehead over Davis and at fair price.
Godwin back assuming he’s healing good enough at 15 to 16 mil a yr.
Is scotty ready to be the 3rd receiver if not gotta find one.
Suh gets another 10 mil gronk to if he wants to stay playing.
Fix their holes next year.
Is Tryon ready to step up for jpp will jpp take 5mil to play?
Golhston is he back for the low?
Did Shaq earn his money I would say no personally…
Is brate worth the money I say again say no…
I think this team need to invest heavily in secondary in the draft..
It’s supposed to be a good year for that then get 2 or 3 guys because we can’t afford to pay these guys who can’t stay healthy or cover big pay days.
Personally I see a team who needs to make the tough calls and move some players for draft picks.
Evan vea Winfield David are the only player I think that ate untouchables
February 10th, 2022 at 2:31 pm
Beeej Says:
February 10th, 2022 at 11:55 am
At 32, the guy has two years left TOPS, then we’re right back here again
Not really fair to say if you believe SMB and Dean are quality starters. They’re about to enter final year of their rookie contracts. Can’t sign everyone. -Joe
Can’t say I’m sure about SMB/Dean, (ALSO an dubious about CE being worth $10 mil a year) but a 32 year old corners NOT named Daryl Green isn’t gonna be around long
February 10th, 2022 at 5:07 pm
Older players who miss games with hamstring injuries may be at the cusp of lots of injuries and missed time. Julio Jones.
As they say. The best ability is availability.
February 10th, 2022 at 5:12 pm
bringing in peterson is like bringing in bill capece to battle succop for the kicking spot…
yes i said bill capece… 🙂
we brought in sherman and look how that really worked out…
come on man
February 10th, 2022 at 5:16 pm
Petersen is long in the tooth and better at safety at the end of his career.
Kick the tires on JC Jackson and Stephon Gilmore, check Gilmore’s health.
Go for Carlton if those don’t pan out.
February 10th, 2022 at 5:24 pm
I would prefer them to lock up Davis as long as it does not hinder them in locking up Godwin and Jensen. To me, they are priority 1 and 2 and Davis is 3.
Getting Peterson for two years at eight mill or less while drafting another DB would be an excellent Plan B
February 10th, 2022 at 5:27 pm
why not add Peterson along with tagging Davis? no need to throw a rookie into the fire and I’m not sold that we have a steady CB2 in the building right now, especially once the injuries start piling up
the front seven will invariably be weaker than last year with veterans aging and\or retiring and no replacements ready, more will be needed from DBs.
February 10th, 2022 at 5:56 pm
Tag Davis? Did any if you watch the Rams game? Or the Jets or any other game he played in? Even last years SB he had two
holding plays that nulfied some great D plays. Let’s not forget the helmet removing. This team needs a shut down corner and he ain’t it.
February 10th, 2022 at 9:13 pm
I like this idea!….Davis needs to go get his fat contract somewhere else.
February 10th, 2022 at 11:54 pm
A very stupid idea, you don’t give up your young corner who is the best on the team, one of the better corners in the NFL, for a very old declining corner who is still going to be expensive.
I did check with my Vikings source and they thought that Peterson played well, but wasn’t anything special. If you’re giving up on Davis, you should want more than that.
February 11th, 2022 at 7:33 am
Spend more on DL and OL, corners are only as good as the pressure on QB and how they fit the system. Davis may be a good corner in a man system but Bowles plays too much zone and to put big money into a CB that isn’t a great zone corner, I don’t think its a good idea.
If Davis was an iron-man who didn’t miss all those games, maybe its a smart move to retain him but he isn’t durable. There are higher priority free agents to spend on.
Davis can’t catch the ball either, he doesn’t make interceptions, thats a fact, he drops them. When you get your opportunity to make an INT, don’t mess up. Ask the 49ers how important it is to make the interception when its thrown right to you.
February 11th, 2022 at 3:25 pm
Bucs “fans”: CD is injury prone!
He’s missed 13 games in 4 years
Bucs “fans”: Derwin James is the best!
He’s missed 28 games in 4 years